Major COTS Software Systems. Fsx Red Bull Helicopter. (COTS) is a term for software or hardware that is commercially made and available for. Schedule delays, and improved performance characteristics, across numerous programs. Although, there are examples of COTS being used as far back as the 1970s, the. In the context of the U.S. Government, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) has defined 'COTS' as a formal term for commercial items, including services, available in the commercial marketplace that can be bought and used under government contract. For example, Microsoft is a COTS software provider. Definition of commercial off the shelf (COTS) software: Commercially available specialized software designed for specific applications (such as legal or medical billing, chemical analysis, statistical analysis) that can be used with little or no.

Freebase (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: • Commercial off-the-shelf In the United States, Commercial Off-The-Shelf is a Federal Acquisition Regulation term defining a non-developmental item of supply that is both commercial and sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace, and that can be procured or utilized under government contract in the same precise form as available to the general public. For example, technology related items, such as computer software, hardware systems or free software with commercial support, and construction materials qualify, but bulk cargo, such as agricultural or petroleum products, do not. COTS purchases are alternatives to in-house developments or one-off government-funded developments.

COTS typically requires configuration that is tailored for specific uses. The use of COTS has been mandated across many government and business programs, as such products may offer significant savings in procurement, development, and maintenance.

Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) is a term that references non-developmental items (NDI) sold in the commercial marketplace and used or obtained through government contracts. The set of rules for COTS is defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). A COTS product is usually a computer hardware or software product tailored for specific uses and made available to the general public. Such products are designed to be readily available and user friendly. A typical example of a COTS product is Microsoft Office or antivirus software. A COTS product is generally any product available off-the-shelf and not requiring custom development before installation.

Compared to COTS, a custom designed product is typically more expensive and not as dependable. This is because the product is industrialized from scratch in minimal time with a limited budget. COTS that is modified by a purchaser, vendor or other party to meet customer requirements become modified off-the-shelf (MOTS). Generally once a COT is modified, it is the responsibility of the consumer to manage changes to the product. Procuring COTS products has become a necessity for several big businesses. It is typical for a large organization to incorporate various COTS products into its system for better functionality, as well as being a relatively risk-free investment. This has shaped a larger market for COTS products.