Commercial software includes custom, government-owned, and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software. COTS software is less expensive and reliable for mass consumption. Standard commercial software products are easier to purchase and use. Modified off-the-shelf (MOTS) software includes source code and can be modified by the consumer. COTS products are used by many large companies through business integration architecture.
There are many types of commercial software applications available. These include custom, government-owned, and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software. COTS software is a computer application that can be purchased commercially at most retail outlets. Some examples of this type of software include Microsoft® Office and most antivirus software packages. COTS software typically does not require any modifications because it works right out of the box.
Off-the-shelf commercial software is typically less expensive than custom-developed software. This is because significant investment costs are invested in the creation of COTS software, making it more reliable for mass consumption. Custom developed software is often expensive and unreliable compared to COTS products because it is developed from scratch on a budget and in a short time frame.
Most of the products purchased by consumers are considered standard commercial. This includes operating systems, word processing software, and photo software. Any off-the-shelf product that does not require any custom development before installation is considered a COTS product. These products are easier to purchase and use because they typically come with simple installation instructions.
If a standard commercial software product is modified to meet the requirements of a specific customer, it becomes modified off-the-shelf (MOTS). MOTS software includes source code and can be modified by the consumer. Once COTS software has been modified, it is typically the responsibility of the consumer to manage the changes made to the software. Neither MOTS nor COTS software is typically free to download or use.
Microsoft® Exchange Server is an example of off-the-shelf commercial software. This product can be used for email, calendar and task management. It can be easily installed on a computer server and allows the exchange of emails between employees of a company. As with all COTS products, this software requires no modifications to function properly.
Buying off-the-shelf commercial products has become a requirement for many large companies. This has created a large market for many types of software products. The typical business uses an assortment of COTS products throughout the organization.
Many large companies have become supplements of COTS products. Using multiple COTS products to help run a business is an example of a business integration architecture. This has taken the place of custom developed software because each COTS product addresses a specific business need. Integrating multiple products allows a business to perform well without incurring the risk of custom developed software.
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