CrossTalk: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering. Volume 20, Number 6, June 2007

Abstract

Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software solutions have long been touted as the best- or least-cost solution to many software design requirements. We save major development costs by using commercial products and, in theory, can significantly accelerate the delivery schedule. The Air Force is engaging in this venture on a massive scale with the implementation of Expeditionary Combat Support System (ECSS) -- based on a commercially available Enterprise Resource Planning system. The projected life-cycle cost savings due to phasing out legacy information systems are staggering. However, the success of ECSS, and of all COTS software implementations, is dependent on a realistic assessment of all costs, benefits, and risks. This month's articles illustrate both the drawbacks and the benefits of using COTS software in the development and sustainment of Department of Defense weapon systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA487042

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aircrafts
  • Application Software
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
  • Debugging
  • Graphical User Interface
  • Information Systems
  • Operating Systems
  • Organizational Structure
  • Software Development
  • Software Metrics
  • Software Testing
  • Systems Engineering

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Software Engineering.