Abstract: Inaccurate interpretation of historical performance management data of a network element and storage of redundant performance management data of a network element is prevented. A network element is polled for current performance management data, and if the current performance management data is determined to be the same as the performance management data collected during the previous polling of the network element, the current performance management data is discarded. Otherwise, the current performance management data is stored. Differentiation between performance management data related to a “Not Available” condition and a “Zero Suppressed” condition is provided through interpretation of performance management data.