Modifying product categorization attributes

If you have upgraded the BMC Helix CMDB, and are using the default or legacy categorizations with BMC Discovery or BMC BladeLogic Client Automation Configuration Discovery Integration for BMC Helix CMDB, you must continue using them. Otherwise, you must use the recommended categorizations.

If you modify product categorizations in the Product Catalog, you must also update CI categorizations in BMC Helix ITSM records using the ITSM Data Wizard. If you use BMC Helix ITSM: Knowledge Management Express, use the Search and Replace tool to replace knowledge articles.

For example, Calbro Services imports data into the Product Catalog through staging forms and wants to use the recommended categorization. Oracle 10g has the following categorization values:

• Category --Software
• Type --Application
• Item --Custom

To use the recommended categorization, Calbro Services must change the categorization to the following values:

• Category --Software
• Type --Software/Application/System
• Item --Relational Database System

For more information about ITSM Data Wizard, see  Using the data wizard to modify data.

Before you begin

• To maintain data integrity while modifying the product categorization attributes, you must disable escalations, reconciliation jobs, discovery products, and the Distributed Server Option (DSO). When you have completed modifying the product categorizations, you must restart these components.
• Run the ITSM Data Wizard to update categorization at times when the systems are unavailable for general use, such as a scheduled change windows.
• Install or create the Product Catalog data.

To modify product categorization attributes using ITSM Data Wizard

1. Access ITSM Data Wizard.
   1. Log in to the AR System server as an administrator.
   2. In the Application Administration Console, click the Custom Configuration tab.
   3. From the Application Settings list, select Foundation > Data Management Tool > Data Wizard Console.
2. Select the Update Target Values option.
3. For the type of data to update, select Product Categorization.
   When you select the type of data, a window prompts you for the target value and the new value.
4. Select the CI type for which to modify the categorization.
   For example, to modify a BMC_Product entry, select System Component > Product.
5. Select the product name and manufacturer for which to modify the categorization.
6. For each of the categorization tiers, enter or select the target value.

7. For each of the categorization tiers, specify the new value.

   Warning

   Note

   You can click Copy to copy the target value and then make the appropriate changes, or you can type the new value.
   You must specify a new value for each target value.

8. Click Go.
9. The Data Wizard Status window displays the listing forms to be updated. As the update is processed, the status changes from Pending to Complete.
   If you close the Data Wizard Status window during processing, you can open it by clicking View Status.
   However, after the update is complete, you cannot reopen this window.

To modify categorization using the PCT:Product Catalog form

1. Enter the direct URL for the form:
   http://<midTierServer>:<portNumber>/arsys/forms/<arSystemServer>/PCT:Product%20Catalog
2. Click New Search.

3. Type the search criteria, such as the product name, and click Search.

   Success

   Tip

   If you want to modify a long list of products, you can use broad search criteria. For example, to modify all the operating system entries, you can set Product Categorization Tier 2 to Operating System and Product Categorization Tier 3 to Third Party. Then, modify and save each product in the search results.

4. From the results, select the product that you want to modify, and modify the categorization as needed.
5. Click Save.