Abstract
This paper examines how software configuration management (SCM) is an important discipline in professional software development and maintenance and how the importance of SCM has increased as programs have become more complex, long-lasting, and time critical. It aims to critically evaluate the evolution of SCM, as well as the obstacles and progress achieved by this particular segment of software engineering. The paper uses a column page layout.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Foundation Years of Software Configuration Management
Progress and Obstacles - SCM in the Past Decade
Process Support
Versioning and Release
Change Control
The Tools - Third Party and Open-Source
Transitions
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The mid 90's paved the way for much better and more powerful SCM tools. Although much of them were still reliant on old methods, these tools had revved up their ability by nearly two folds in terms of automation from a mere cost effective in-house development. [2, 3] In the late 90's, the evolution of SCM in general was characterised mainly by technological issues, better understanding of the technology and experience acquired by the Software Engineering community towards the complexity of a complete SCM solution. On an Industry level SCM was seen largely as a mature, reliable and ideal technology for software development. "

Tags:quality, assurance, versioning, engineering

Abstract
This paper discusses the purpose of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems within an organization. The paper specifically discusses the configuration and installation of a SAP R/3 enterprise system. It discusses the challenges that would be faced and the significant contribution of order management and production planning modules in these processes.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Insights Gained From Completing an SAP R/3 Configuration
Production Planning Module
Summary

From the Paper
"The implications of streamlining manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, and the many customer-facing processes through the use of ERP systems have significant financial implications on the organizations adopting them. The many challenges of installing SAP R/3 into heterogeneous environments as discussed in this paper show that Order Management and Production Planning Modules make significant contributions to the organizations that have constructed their enterprise systems around them. The role of Production Planning specifically to align purchasing, procurement to demand management is one of the main catalysts of improved financial performance possible using an ERP system."

Tags:management, IT, ERP, resources

Abstract
This paper uses key marketing tools such as PEST, SWOT, Ansoff Matrix, Five Forces Model and Product Portfolio Balance throughout its analysis. These tools help show where Tesco is at currently and where they will be in the future. The final section includes recommendations and cautions in making a decision to pursue investment opportunities with Tesco.

From the paper:

"Tesco has a very strong presence in the UK and is quickly expanding internationally. In fact, they recently received the distinction of being named as one of the top ten grocery retailers. With this distinction, the board decided it was worth investigating Tesco as an investment opportunity. The investigation must take a good look at Tesco?s ICT configuration. Their configuration and potentially future configuration is important due to the role technology plays in keeping a company organized and serving its customers."

Tags:profit, growth, company, case, study, supermarket, marketing, tools, investment

Abstract
This paper examines the case of Richard Speck, a convicted murderer of eight women in the United State. At Speck's trial his attorney claimed that a new theory of behavioral causality with an identifiable chromosomal abnormality represented by the XYY configuration corresponded to specific behavioral traits that predisposed individuals to violent and antisocial behavior. The author of the paper examines evidence for and against this theory in the light of Speck's childhood, research and an autopsy performed on Speck's body after he died in 1991.

Outline:
Background and History
XYY Supermale Analysis
Social Biology Analysis
References

From the Paper
"Critics of the XYY theory of criminal conduct suggest that even if XYY corresponds to higher statistical likelihood of certain types of antisocial behavior, it is not substantially different from other components of naturally evolved human behaviors. In other primate species, including those most closely related to homo sapiens, male dominance is expressed through patterns of behavior that would be considered, in human terms, criminal. According to that view, even XYY-based behavioral patterns still lie within the spectrum of normal human tendencies and that it is not particularly surprising that prisons house individuals who share behavioral traits consistent with criminal behavior (The Hastings Center 1980)."

Tags:behavioral, antisocial, violence, alcoholic, rape, murder, crime, genetics, personality, physiological, abnormality, environmental, chromosomal, criminality

Abstract
This paper discusses the group collaboration and office automation software that is currently in place within store locations, pharmacies, and corporate headquarters. The paper describes how locations themselves grant limited access to data pools to particular employees, while corporate headquarters is allowed entire access of sales and inventory data. The paper relates that a new implementation recently put in place is an automated software which has access to patient's medical records stored electronically.

Tags:data, processing, cvs

Abstract
The paper discusses how the automating of the quote-to-order processes has become central to many companies' strategies to better serve their customers. The paper describes how this approach is generating significant cost and time savings for those companies engaging in B2B (business-to-business) commerce both on a national and global level. The paper includes tables of research which validate that automating the quote-to-order process between companies delivers significant results.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Comparing Quote-to-Order and Guided Selling in B2B Online Marketing
Summary

From the Paper
"Given the fact that quotes drive production to the Bill of Materials level in virtually every manufacturing center, the criticality of this process in B2B marketing and commerce transactions is seen in Figure 1, Manual Quote-to-order Workflow. The manually-oriented approach to this process is costing manufacturers weeks of lost time from taking an order to scheduling it for manufacturing and fulfillment. AMR Research (2003) has profiled this process in the context of guided selling, sales, and product configurators, in addition to work completed by Askegar and Columbus (2002)."

Tags:quote-to-order, processes, B2B, automation, savings

Abstract
This paper analyzes five of the most dominant applications that Ingram Micro uses as one of the global leaders in the distribution of enterprise and personal computing software, hardware, and services. According to the paper, Ingram Micro fulfills many functions both for manufacturers and channel partners that comprise its customer base. The paper further reports that Ingram Micro relies heavily on it's information technology systems that are critical for them to manage and grow their business.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Evaluating Ingram Micro's Five Most Mission Critical Applications
Five Mission Critical Systems Analyzed According to Criteria
Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) Systems
Order Management and Online Ordering Including Product Customization System Platform
Pricing Management and Compliance System
Service Lifecycle Management System
Supply Chain Management System

From the Paper
"Managing pricing across product lines, locations including distribution centers, customer groups, contracts, pricing strategies and service programs is admittedly complex and requires extensive levels of integration with accounting, contract management, IMPulse, order management, order capture, and product configuration systems. Pricing is the "hub" of all customer-facing activities in Ingram Micro, and as a result the Pricing Management and Compliance Management System is one of the greatest contributors to the profitability of this distributor. Pricing in the high tech distribution business is constantly changing, with margins often becoming razor-thin in a matter of months versus other industries' years of product maturity. "

Tags:legislation, competitive, advantages, strategy, cost, IMPulse, IBM, pilot, Tech, Data, Sarbanes-Oxley, Act, (2002)

Abstract
The paper commends the authors' foresightful analysis but points out that several key points are missing. The paper maintains that a progression of where their research could be applied is seriously lacking. The paper concludes that this article adds to the knowledge of readers interested in the progression of constraint-based configurators but discusses how the authors could have brought in other relevant aspects.

Outline:
Executive Summary
Critique of the Article
Future Research
Enhancements to Readers' Knowledge

From the Paper
"The authors deserve credit for their foresightful analysis of the migration from rules-based to constraint-based web-based configuration and the need for included large nested object structures corresponding to highly structured and complex, interconnected configurations. Today this is called nested configuration logic, and is critical for the development of constraint-based logic in configuration engines now increasingly being used across the Internet. The authors also accurately call out of the need for more extensive reasoning components, support for explanation generation, and the critical need for knowledge management tools."

Tags:criticism, praise, constraint-based, customization

Abstract
The paper provides an analysis of the configuration, scalability and performance aspects of IPv4 versus IPv6-based SSL, in relation to IPv4-based IPSec protocol over networks and VPNs. The paper examines how these functional differences are defining the use of these two respective protocols. The paper includes many tables to illustrate the differences and shows how the configuration and security options available in IPv6-based SSL VPNs are quickly gaining ground.

Outline:
Introduction
Defining Virtual Private Networks and their role in security
Comparative Analysis of IPSEC vs. SSL-based VPN
Market Comparative Analysis of IPv4-based IPSec vs. IPv6-based SSL VPNs
Summary

From the Paper
"The many benefits of upgrading an organizations' network, specifically its Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) from IPv4 to IPv6 make the costs associated with the transition recoverable from increased network stability, auto-configuration, security, mobility, increase and quality-of-service and multicast capability (Cisco 2007). First, in terms of scalability, address range for IPv6-based networks is 128-bits, giving the organization much greater security as well (Fink, 1999). Second, the security concerns regarding using DHCP to assign IP addresses using IPv4 today can be alleviated with the stateless reconfiguration capability of IPv6 (Lehtovirta, J 2006)."

Tags:configuration, scalability, performance, IPSec, SSL, protocol

Abstract
This paper analyzes a situation for a hypothetical company in relation to switching from a single-operating system configuration to a multi-operating system configuration.

Tags:System, configuration, network, multi-operating, system, cross-compatibility