By Shahabuddin Amerudin
In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies are looking for ways to streamline their operations and increase efficiency. One way they can achieve this is by utilizing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software. COTS software is pre-built software products that are sold by third-party vendors and can be purchased and used by individuals or organizations without modification.
The term “COTS” or “Commercial off-the-shelf” originated in the US military in the 1990s. It was used to describe software products that were readily available for purchase from commercial vendors, rather than custom-built or “in-house” solutions. The military recognized that there were many benefits to using COTS software, such as reduced development time, lower costs, and the ability to take advantage of advances in technology that were happening in the commercial sector. Since then, the term has been adopted by other industries and is now commonly used to describe any product or service that is available for purchase off-the-shelf from a commercial vendor.
COTS software offers many advantages over custom-built software. One of the most significant benefits is cost savings. Developing custom software in-house can be an expensive and time-consuming process. COTS software is often significantly cheaper than developing custom software, allowing businesses to save money while still obtaining the functionality they need. Additionally, COTS software is typically more reliable than custom software because it has been developed and tested by experienced software developers who specialize in specific types of software. This means that COTS software is often more stable and less prone to bugs and errors than custom software.
Another advantage of COTS software is that it is often easier to implement than custom software. COTS software comes pre-built with a range of features and functions, making it easier for businesses to deploy and integrate into their existing systems. This can be especially beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have the resources to develop and deploy custom software.
COTS software can be used in a variety of industries, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and more. Examples of specialized COTS software include accounting software like QuickBooks, project management software like Trello, and customer relationship management (CRM) software like Salesforce. These products are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of users and industries, and are typically developed with the goal of maximizing sales to a broad market.
However, it is important to carefully evaluate the available options to ensure that the software meets the specific needs of the business. This involves assessing the functionality, reliability, and ease of use of the software, as well as considering factors like cost, customer support, and compatibility with existing systems.
In conclusion, COTS software can offer many benefits to businesses, including cost savings, reliability, and ease of implementation. By carefully evaluating the available options and selecting the software that best meets their needs, businesses can obtain the functionality they require while still saving time and money on software development. COTS software is a viable solution for businesses of all sizes and industries looking to streamline their operations and increase efficiency.
Suggestion for Citation: Amerudin, S. (2023). Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Software: Benefits and Usage. [Online] Available at: https://people.utm.my/shahabuddin/?p=6228 (Accessed: 2 April 2023).
