Abstract: A software package retention system that uses pre-defined rules to retain software packages based on how the packages are used, and not merely based on a package's date/time of creation (age) or type. A retention policy server in the system integrates with the build, deployments, and artifact storage systems of a software supplier/vendor to ensure appropriate retentions are met for audit and regulatory compliance and unneeded artifacts or packages are purged to save storage space and lower operational costs. The server has the capability to monitor software deployments to the customer and to developer test environments, and to make rule-based decisions on when and how to run retention policy clean-up jobs and on what packages. With increasing reliance on frequent build and release of software packages across the software industry, package management post-release using the rule-based retention policy provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for legal compliance with retention requirements.

Abstract: A software package retention system that uses pre-defined rules to retain software packages based on how the packages are used, and not merely based on a package's date/time of creation (age) or type. A retention policy server in the system integrates with the build, deployments, and artifact storage systems of a software supplier/vendor to ensure appropriate retentions are met for audit and regulatory compliance and unneeded artifacts or packages are purged to save storage space and lower operational costs. The server has the capability to monitor software deployments to the customer and to developer test environments, and to make rule-based decisions on when and how to run retention policy clean-up jobs and on what packages. With increasing reliance on frequent build and release of software packages across the software industry, package management post-release using the rule-based retention policy provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for legal compliance with retention requirements.