Commercial off the shelf SoftwareCommercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) refers to software that is fully functional immediately after purchase and installation on a computer. Commercially-off-the-shelf software and products are typically less expensive when compared with custom software design and development since the development costs are distributed over many customers. While commercial off the shelf components vary from application to application they typically include a database for storing data, a decision layer to tell the application how to handle data, and a graphical user interface (GUI) which the application user uses to execute commands (eg clicking on a menu and selecting a task). COTS can be highly functional, stable and robust especially titles that have evolved over time and are mature in their versions release (versus a beta release). However, COTS typically do not perform as much of the needed functionality verses custom software. For instance, a business might require software to submit accounts receivable entries into different databases and create highly customized reports before distributing the reports via email, FTP, and an enterprise document management system whereas a COTS solution might only handle one or a few of these functions. | Business Process ManagementBusiness Process ManagementBusiness Process Management Terms Automated Decision Engine Automated Decision Engine Terms Document Imaging Document Imaging Terms Key Performance Indicator Key Performance Indicator Terms Process Mapping Process Mapping Terms Return on Investment Workflow Automation Workflow Automation Terms Disaster RecoveryDisaster RecoveryDisaster Recovery Terms LogisticsGPS LogisticsGPS Logistics Terms Logistics Logistics Terms Marketing and SalesSocial Networking SitesBlogging Blogging Terms Customer Relationship Managment Customer Relationship Management Terms Email Marketing Email Marketing Terms Search Engine Optimization Search Engine Optimization Terms Social Networking Social Networking Terms Viral Marketing Viral Marketing Terms Project ManagementProject ManagementProject Management Terms Request for Proposal Requirements Gathering Requirements Gathering Terms Software and Database DesignDatabase DevelopmentDatabase Development Terms Information Silo Nearshoring Nearshoring Terms Offshoring Offshoring Terms Software Design Software Design Terms Software Development Software Development Terms Web Site DesignCommercial Off-the-ShelfCommercial Off-the-Shelf Terms Content Management CMS Content Management CMS Terms Extranet Extranet Terms Intranet Intranet Terms Web Site Design Web Site Design Terms |