A multiple case study approach was employed to identify maintenance activities pertaining to enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, classify them into maintenance categories, and assess their relative frequency at various stages of the ERP maintenance lifecycle. Five maintenance categories (corrective, adaptive, perfective, preventive, user support) were identified from a review of the literature on software maintenance. A new category pertaining to ‘communication, coordination and knowledge exchange with external parties’ and herein labeled ‘external parties’ is introduced to highlight the supporting role of external parties in ERP maintenance. This category includes reporting problems to vendors and consultants, tracking their progress towards problem resolution, and coordinating work and relations with vendors, consultants, and external user‐organizations. This study also highlights some differences between maintenance trends of ERP versus traditional systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Social networks are websites which allow users to communicate, share knowledge about similar interests, discuss favorite topics, review and rate products/services, etc. Even though social network marketing is still in its infancy, it holds a potential success for businesses if it is carefully integrated in the marketing mix. This paper discusses the advantages and risks that social network marketing holds. Future opportunities for social networks, particularly mobile social networking, are also discussed

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a genetically engineered glucagon (geG) and hyoscine N-butylbromide (HBB) on the quality of double-contrast barium meal (DCBM) study. Two hundred sixty-four patients scheduled for DCBM were randomized to receive intravenously geG 0.25 mg (geG-25), or geG 0.5 mg (geG-50), or HBB 20 mg as hypotonic agent. The evaluation concerned: duration of isolated visualization of the stomach (A); gastric mucosal coating (B); visualization of areae gastricae (C); quality of duodenal cap (D) and loop (E) study; delay, if any, of duodenal study (F). Global significant differences (P from 0.0183 to < 0.0001) were found for A, C, D, and F. GeG-50 allowed the longest isolated gastric visualization (P < 0.0001); geG-25 allowed more extensive visualization of areae gastricae than HBB (P = 0.0006); HBB allowed a better study of duodenal cap (P = 0.0052) and loop (P = 0.0190) than geG-25; geG-50 prolonged the examination time (P < 0.01). No adverse effect was observed with geG within 1 h after DCBM. In conclusion, geG can be safely used as a hypotonic agent in DCBM. When DCBM is focused on the stomach, 0.25 mg of geG is the optimal choice; if DCBM is focused on the duodenum, 0.5 mg of geG (with a prolonged examination time) or 20 mg of HBB (with a less effective study of the stomach) should be used.

The increased mobility of users and rapid enhancements to "hand held" technology suggest leveraging mobile technology to enhance timely transaction handling and data collection, as well as access robust tools for management decision making in supporting Supply Chain Management (SCM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and other complimentary systems. Though technology options are prevalent, applications must be developed for fit and viability on mobile devices which do not deter them from needed system functionality. Not only must internal application requirements address the mobility needs of its users, but interaction with external entities (e.g. suppliers) must be considered, as well. This paper reviews the history of devices used for Supply Chain Management and ERP applications through transition to mobile devices, as well as suggesting considerations for mobility and reachability and other factors that influence the utilization of newer technologies.

No abstract