An update applicability data model is used to define relationships between an instance of a hardware device and an instance of an associated software component in an inventory context and a packaging context. A hardware device instance is correlated with an instance of the associated software component in the inventory context. Instances of hardware devices are compared in the inventory context. Instances of software components are compared in the inventory context and in the packaging context. Instances of hardware devices are grouped in the inventory context. Instances of software components are grouped in the inventory context and in the packaging context. Whether to update an instance of a software component associated with an instance of a hardware device using the update applicability data model is determined.