COTS Software Supplier Identification and Evaluation

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADP010669 | Open PDF

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.

Author(s):
Miller, Ann
Author Organization(s):
MISSOURI UNIV-ROLLA DEPT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Supplementary Note:
The original document contains color images. Presented at the Info. Systems Technology Panel, Brussels, Belgium, 3-5 Apr 20O0, p11-1/11-6. This article is from ADA389447 Commercial Off-the-Shelf Products in Defence Applications "The Ruthless Pursuit of COTS" (l'Utilisation des produits vendus sur etageres dans les applications militaires de defense "l'Exploitation sans merci des produits commerciaux")
Pagination:
0006

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
XD
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_4.2_Supply; JCA_4.2.1_Manage Supplies and Equipment; JCA_4.5_Operational Contract Support; JCA_4.5.1_Contract Support Integration; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_6.1.2_Wireless Transmission; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_5.4_Decide
Modernization Areas:
Microelectronics; Cyber
Communities of Interest:
Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Descriptor(s):
*COMPUTER PROGRAMS, *OFF THE SHELF EQUIPMENT, *COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT, *COMMUNICATION AND RADIO SYSTEMS, LESSONS LEARNED, ACQUISITION, CONSISTENCY, PATTERNS, CONFLICT
Field(s)/Group(s):
Computer Programming and Software, Command, Control and Communications Systems
Keyword(s):
COMPONENT REPORTS, NATO FURNISHED, GOVERNMENT OFF THE SHELF, COTS(COMMERCIAL OFF THE SHELF), LARGE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Report Date:
2000 Apr 01
Creation Date:
2001 May 16