COTS Software Supplier Identification and Evaluation

Abstract

There has been a consistent trend to field increasingly large systems. Largeness requires a longer development cycle that is in direct conflict with the need to field systems quickly. Several approaches have been developed to reduce time-to-market. One of the most notable methods in reaction to time-to-field pressures is the inclusion of Commercial-Off- the-Shelf (COTS) as well as Government-off- the-Shelf (GOTS) software packages to perform some of the functions of these new megasystems". This paper addresses some of the advantages and pitfalls of the inclusion of COTS components and discusses the need for an evaluation not only of the COTS component but also of the COTS supplier. The paper concludes with some of the lessons learned from the use of COTS incorporation and of supplier assessments over a ten-year span of commercial and government acquisitions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADP010669

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  • Ann Miller

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