SpectrumSCMÒ is the first truly integrated, platform independent, full-featured (Version Control, Issue/Defect Tracking, Change Management, Process Management/Control, Workflow, Release Management, Parallel Development) source configuration management system in the market place. SpectrumSCM brings in the best practices for automation of Project lifecycle processes through unified configuration management and change management by providing full CM functionality with one truly integrated SCM system and not as a suite of bundled applications to provide provides comprehensive source configuration and management for any ‘e-Asset’ from origination through delivery, maintenance, and support.

The new product version  includes a number of enhancements requested by our current customers as part of our wishlist initiative. This initiative, which has been popular, enables our existing customers to send in requests for new features they would like to have in SpectrumSCM. This is also a solid reflection of the ownership we have created amongst our users with their investment in SpectrumSCM as their chosen CM tool.

SpectrumSCM Version 2.5  feature list.

Extensions to the current Unicode Support, Internationalization and handling of Multi-lingual character sets within source files.

This feature extends the capabilities of SpectrumSCM in terms of internationalization, and support for varied character-sets, which will allow and manage multiple character sets across the SpectrumSCM system. Prior to release 2.5 SpectrumSCM followed the Java character set model as provided by Sun Microsystems Inc in terms of the Java parameter “file.encoding”. In SpectrumSCM release 2.5 a new parameter has been introduced into the server configuration options to set the default system wide character-set.  Additionally, 2 new configuration parameters have been introduced to allow file specific character settings, and to disable the automatic end-of-line re-writing.

For example the encoding formats such as UTF8, UTF16, Cp1252, ISO8859_1, Cp273 (German), Cp297 (French), Cp 930 (Japanese), Cp935 (Chinese) to name a few, can be specified (as appropriate) for each file. Additionally you can continue to use SpectrumSCM’s diff/merge and edit source files with text from all over the world, but now with the appropriate character-set for the particular file. SpectrumSCM can thus support multibyte/Unicode characters within file content and allow users to load, display, edit, and otherwise change manage and manipulate files and data in non-ASCII formats.

Extend CR descriptions to allow and support bold, underline, colors and lists

Add HTML editor capability to both the CR creation screen and the “Modify CR description” screen. This allows significantly enhanced formatting options over the previous text-only format.

Added  “Directory Rename” capability

SpectrumSCM already supports file re-name and move capabilities that  makes Agile methodology practitioners very happy. Users can quickly and easily re-name files in place or move files around the directory structure, using simple drag-n-drop techniques, without losing any file history or upsetting previous releases.

With this new version, directories can now be renamed. Full file history and previous locations are maintained so that previous releases are faithfully reproduced.

Update SpectrumSCM-Microsoft Office plugin to support Office 2003 and Office 2007

Microsoft’s adoption of the .Net platform enabled a significant update to the SpectrumSCM-Office plugin. The Office plugin enables documentation workers to directly access the SpectrumSCM system from a Word, Excel or Powerpoint menu.

Users of the SpectrumSCM-Office plugin can check files in and out of a SpectrumSCM repository without having to leave the native environment of these tools. Using the plugin, end user organizations can easily share Word, Excel and Powerpoint documents over LAN and WAN facilities in a controlled fashion. Since  SpectrumSCM manages all kinds of sources or 'e-Assets' (source code, text, documents, images, drawings, proposals, contracts, web pages etc) through its life-cycle activities, this feature will now enable organizations to provide process and structure to every desktop. All corporate users can now benefit from the many sound disciplines of CM practices in a seamless way without having to leave their familiar work environments.

Extensions to the  User Management functionality

Improvements were added to the SpectrumSCM User Management screen to aid usability. Specifically, the ability to clone user settings from an existing project to a new one and the ability to add a set of users into a new project. This becomes very useful when a new project wants to inherit the users, their roles and permissions setting  from an existing project and particularly when the team sizes are large.

Added CR creation assignment into the full workflow functionality

CR create tasks can now take full advantage of the workflow features such as automatic assignments, conditional paths and callouts/triggers.

Workflow Color Change

In the workflow management screen the green and blue colors have been swapped to be consistent with the Change Request colorizations on the main screen. See the screen help for more information.

Enhancements   to the workspace synchronizer

The Workspace Synchronizer allows a user to quickly and easily identify the files in his/her local workspace that are not currently synchronized with the SpectrumSCM repository. The feature makes it very easy for a user to work while disconnected from the SpectrumSCM repository. This is perfect for commuters or others that need to be productive while away from the office. The Workspace Synchronizer also allows the user to quickly and easily identify work that needs to be downloaded into their own workspaces.  This will also enable enterprises to provide effective life-cycle management for any work undertaken by external resources like contractors, outside vendors, and any other third-party providers in any given project.

This version added  “Ignore” filters so that specific files or patterns/groups of files can be ignored. Also added  persistent counts so that the user is informed as to the number of discrepancies the scan has determined.

Improvements to the “Delete”  capabilities and permissions enhancements

Currently, deletion permissions are bundled up under one permissions toggle. This version splits file deletion from CR deletion, into 2 separate conditions by introducing the new, specific, “Delete CR’s” permissions level . This will provide control and restrictions on who can be authorized to delete CRs in any project, thus preserving the integrity of source changes from a trackability and auditors perspective.

Currently a clean server shutdown is associated with the “Administrator” permissions level. SpectrumSCM version 2.5 adds  a new permissions level for “Server Shutdown”. By introducing a new specific level this can be granted to someone without giving them the full administrator access to the system.

Improvements to Release Management Dependency highlighting

Currently to investigate a release management dependency issue, the user runs the appropriate report highlighted by the yellow dependency flag. Under this enhancement, if the user double-clicks the yellow flag, a dialog will present the specific dependency condition immediately, while still allowing the user to view the full reports if desired.

Improved performance and scalability

Optimization has been performed on numerous screen to reduce database lock contention, optimize data transfers and handle laptop hibernations better.

Extend “delete” functionality to be able to cross multiple generics/branches

When a delete operation is performed today, it is specialized into the current branch/generic. The new functionality gives the option to specialize the delete or to keep it common across branches/generics.

Availability

SpectrumSCM, is available directly from Spectrum Software, Inc. For pricing, demos and sales information, please contact Spectrum sales representative (email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at 770-448-8662 (North America).

About Spectrum

Spectrum Software, Inc. is a 15 year old, proven software systems design and services firm providing cost-effective, efficient and quality software products and services to large, medium and small businesses. Spectrum Software has three divisions: Software Services, which focuses on outsourcing and leading software development projects for clients; Software Products division, which engineers software tools and products and Spectrum Multimedia, which creates multimedia-based software products for children. The SpectrumSCMÒ product is seen as a very attractive alternative to many of the existing market leading competitors. Because of its tightly integrated Process management and change management architecture, SpectrumSCM has been repeatedly acknowledged to be one of the most economical, full-featured enterprise SCM tool that offers the best combination of value and functionality by its customers. SpectrumSCM provides High-end CM capability at the price of a competitor’s single function tool.  In May 2006 SpectrumSCM was Voted Top Java Product – 2006 JavaPro Reader’s Choice Award, as the Best Pure Java Packaged Client/Server or Distributed Application. For more information on Spectrum Software and SpectrumSCMÔ, check out the company’s Web site at www.spectrumscm.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 770.448.8662.

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