Commercially off the Shelf (COTS) Software Packages
COTS – 'commercially off the shelf' is the policy for many organisations that prefer to buy rather than build their applications. This offers the potential to save costs, reduce risks and deliver a more mature system much quicker than with a bespoke development. Although the advantages of this approach are fairly obvious, the COTS approach brings its own problems and as a consequence many organisations fail to realise the true benefits of the COTS approach.
Selecting the wrong COTS application or deploying it badly can have disastrous consequences on the particular line-of-business area for years to come. Typical problems result in stifled workflow, work duplication, user resistance, increased costs, upset customers etc. In severe cases it can prevent vital business operations from functioning properly. We have compiled a list of the key reasons for COTS project failure and designed a methodology specifically to address this. Our COTS methodology is based on the experiences of our associates and clients and consists of route maps, templates and web based knowledge tools supported by consultancy and training. The methodology covers three areas:
COTS Selection
Finding the COTS application that best fits your needs taking
into account user & functional requirements, technical
architecture, budgetary limitations, skills availability, vendor
commitment & their ability to deliver etc.
COTS Procurement
Managing the COTS procurement process including aspects such as
producing the statement of requirements (SOR), the request for
proposal (RFP), handling supplier demonstrations, developing a
scoring and ranking system, supplier selection, contract negotiations
etc.
COTS Implementation
Managing the implementation of the COTS software package taking
care to fully understand the technical and organisational impacts,
the systems integration aspects and deal with user and supplier
issues.