diff --git a/build/optaplanner-distribution/pom.xml b/build/optaplanner-distribution/pom.xml
index e96abaef..3f573485 100644
--- a/build/optaplanner-distribution/pom.xml
+++ b/build/optaplanner-distribution/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.optaplanner</groupId>
     <artifactId>optaplanner-quickstarts-parent</artifactId>
-    <version>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>999-SNAPSHOT</version>
     <relativePath>../../pom.xml</relativePath>
   </parent>
 
diff --git a/build/quickstarts-showcase/pom.xml b/build/quickstarts-showcase/pom.xml
index 714aa411..6eef6354 100644
--- a/build/quickstarts-showcase/pom.xml
+++ b/build/quickstarts-showcase/pom.xml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.optaplanner</groupId>
     <artifactId>optaplanner-quickstarts-parent</artifactId>
-    <version>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>999-SNAPSHOT</version>
     <relativePath>../../pom.xml</relativePath>
   </parent>
 
diff --git a/hello-world/build.gradle b/hello-world/build.gradle
index 0d543fdd..0b0c9c15 100644
--- a/hello-world/build.gradle
+++ b/hello-world/build.gradle
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ plugins {
     id "application"
 }
 
-def optaplannerVersion = "9.45.0-SNAPSHOT"
+def optaplannerVersion = "999-SNAPSHOT"
 def logbackVersion = "1.2.11"
 def junitJupiterVersion = "5.9.0"
 def assertjVersion = "3.24.2"
diff --git a/hello-world/pom.xml b/hello-world/pom.xml
index 7dfc502b..25c8e499 100644
--- a/hello-world/pom.xml
+++ b/hello-world/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
     <jar.with.dependencies.name>hello-world-run</jar.with.dependencies.name>
 
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
     <version.org.assertj>3.24.2</version.org.assertj>
     <version.org.junit.jupiter>5.9.0</version.org.junit.jupiter>
     <version.org.logback>1.2.11</version.org.logback>
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 4a8e05f0..6d8ddb37 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
   <parent>
     <groupId>org.optaplanner</groupId>
     <artifactId>optaplanner-build-parent</artifactId>
-    <version>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version>
+    <version>999-SNAPSHOT</version>
     <relativePath/>
   </parent>
   <!-- IMPORTANT: the individual quickstarts have no parent pom. -->
diff --git a/technology/java-activemq-quarkus/pom.xml b/technology/java-activemq-quarkus/pom.xml
index 265d4514..58236942 100644
--- a/technology/java-activemq-quarkus/pom.xml
+++ b/technology/java-activemq-quarkus/pom.xml
@@ -10,14 +10,16 @@
   <packaging>pom</packaging>
 
   <properties>
-    <version.org.apache.activemq>2.28.0</version.org.apache.activemq>
+    <maven.compiler.release>11</maven.compiler.release>
+    <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
+
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.apache.activemq>2.28.0</version.org.apache.activemq>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
-    <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
-    <compiler-plugin.version>3.8.1</compiler-plugin.version>
-    <maven.compiler.release>11</maven.compiler.release>
-    <surefire-plugin.version>3.0.0-M8</surefire-plugin.version>
+    <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
+    <version.jandex.plugin>1.0.8</version.jandex.plugin>
+    <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
   </properties>
 
   <modules>
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@
       <plugins>
         <plugin>
           <artifactId>maven-compiler-plugin</artifactId>
-          <version>${compiler-plugin.version}</version>
+          <version>${version.compiler.plugin}</version>
         </plugin>
         <plugin>
           <groupId>io.quarkus</groupId>
@@ -119,11 +121,11 @@
         <plugin>
           <groupId>org.jboss.jandex</groupId>
           <artifactId>jandex-maven-plugin</artifactId>
-          <version>1.0.8</version>
+          <version>${version.jandex.plugin}</version>
         </plugin>
         <plugin>
           <artifactId>maven-surefire-plugin</artifactId>
-          <version>${surefire-plugin.version}</version>
+          <version>${version.surefire.plugin}</version>
           <configuration>
             <systemPropertyVariables>
               <java.util.logging.manager>org.jboss.logmanager.LogManager</java.util.logging.manager>
@@ -146,7 +148,7 @@
         <plugins>
           <plugin>
             <artifactId>maven-failsafe-plugin</artifactId>
-            <version>${surefire-plugin.version}</version>
+            <version>${version.surefire.plugin}</version>
             <executions>
               <execution>
                 <goals>
diff --git a/technology/java-spring-boot/build.gradle b/technology/java-spring-boot/build.gradle
index 54e45b1b..7737fe0e 100644
--- a/technology/java-spring-boot/build.gradle
+++ b/technology/java-spring-boot/build.gradle
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ plugins {
     id "java"
 }
 
-def optaplannerVersion = "9.45.0-SNAPSHOT"
+def optaplannerVersion = "999-SNAPSHOT"
 def assertjVersion = "3.24.2"
 
 group = "org.acme"
diff --git a/technology/java-spring-boot/pom.xml b/technology/java-spring-boot/pom.xml
index 279f4ffd..d0e4e073 100644
--- a/technology/java-spring-boot/pom.xml
+++ b/technology/java-spring-boot/pom.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
     <maven.compiler.release>17</maven.compiler.release>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
     <version.org.springframework.boot>3.0.7</version.org.springframework.boot>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
diff --git a/technology/kotlin-quarkus/pom.xml b/technology/kotlin-quarkus/pom.xml
index 1467f19c..5b1696ee 100644
--- a/technology/kotlin-quarkus/pom.xml
+++ b/technology/kotlin-quarkus/pom.xml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
     <version.kotlin>1.8.20</version.kotlin>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/technology/kubernetes/pom.xml b/technology/kubernetes/pom.xml
index 5b1dee77..f4f51559 100644
--- a/technology/kubernetes/pom.xml
+++ b/technology/kubernetes/pom.xml
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@
     <maven.compiler.release>11</maven.compiler.release>
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
-    <version.org.apache.activemq>2.28.0</version.org.apache.activemq>
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.apache.activemq>2.28.0</version.org.apache.activemq>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.jandex.plugin>1.0.8</version.jandex.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/use-cases/call-center/pom.xml b/use-cases/call-center/pom.xml
index e9cd87c6..5a36dcf5 100644
--- a/use-cases/call-center/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/call-center/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/use-cases/employee-scheduling/pom.xml b/use-cases/employee-scheduling/pom.xml
index 14e277b2..13c5fc7e 100644
--- a/use-cases/employee-scheduling/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/employee-scheduling/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/use-cases/facility-location/pom.xml b/use-cases/facility-location/pom.xml
index e826c585..f5bb8755 100644
--- a/use-cases/facility-location/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/facility-location/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/use-cases/maintenance-scheduling/pom.xml b/use-cases/maintenance-scheduling/pom.xml
index f657a557..db42e37c 100644
--- a/use-cases/maintenance-scheduling/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/maintenance-scheduling/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/use-cases/order-picking/pom.xml b/use-cases/order-picking/pom.xml
index 2a6f3492..6f07dcb6 100644
--- a/use-cases/order-picking/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/order-picking/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/use-cases/school-timetabling/build.gradle b/use-cases/school-timetabling/build.gradle
index 8b6031d1..c64259c0 100644
--- a/use-cases/school-timetabling/build.gradle
+++ b/use-cases/school-timetabling/build.gradle
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ plugins {
 }
 
 def quarkusVersion = "3.0.0.Final"
-def optaplannerVersion = "9.45.0-SNAPSHOT"
+def optaplannerVersion = "999-SNAPSHOT"
 def assertjVersion = "3.24.2"
 
 group = "org.acme"
diff --git a/use-cases/school-timetabling/pom.xml b/use-cases/school-timetabling/pom.xml
index cd495071..427b2cda 100644
--- a/use-cases/school-timetabling/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/school-timetabling/pom.xml
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
-    
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
   </properties>
diff --git a/use-cases/vaccination-scheduling/pom.xml b/use-cases/vaccination-scheduling/pom.xml
index 5fe01e37..fd201b27 100644
--- a/use-cases/vaccination-scheduling/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/vaccination-scheduling/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>
diff --git a/use-cases/vehicle-routing/pom.xml b/use-cases/vehicle-routing/pom.xml
index 84fd6863..cfedc529 100644
--- a/use-cases/vehicle-routing/pom.xml
+++ b/use-cases/vehicle-routing/pom.xml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
 
     <version.io.quarkus>3.0.0.Final</version.io.quarkus>
-    <version.org.optaplanner>9.45.0-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
+    <version.org.optaplanner>999-SNAPSHOT</version.org.optaplanner>
 
     <version.compiler.plugin>3.8.1</version.compiler.plugin>
     <version.surefire.plugin>3.0.0-M8</version.surefire.plugin>