Considering COTS – Commercial Off The Shelf – Software for Your Major Business Operations?
COTS software is developed for business domains by vendors who have studied the business needs, tailored their software accordingly, and support their customers by introducing new features and functionality periodically to improve the software.
Key Points to Consider When Purchasing COTS Software:
Previous Experience with COTS Software
- Have you purchased COTS software before? If so, you know how much time and preparation it takes to implement, time your staff does not have while doing their jobs.
First-Time Purchase of COTS Software
- If not, you need help from resources experienced in how to make this transition as seamless as possible.
Vendor Limitations
- Do not expect the vendor to provide all the expertise and resources you will need. That is not how it works. The vendor has a team who knows how to translate your current operations into their software…period. Their business model typically does not include:
- Understanding your specific current and future business needs.
- Learning all your business requirements, including statutory and regulatory compliance.
- Analysis of your current business processes, including reporting requirements.
- Identification of your future business processes after software implementation.
- Support for your business cases to secure what you need from the vendor.
- A comprehensive schedule of all the tasks, optimized for your business life cycle and fiscal year.
- Analysis and decision support for issues in Master Data Management for the new system.
- Analysis and decision support for issues in data migration from the current system to the new.
- Software Quality Assurance testing expertise to ensure the new solution will work as needed once you ‘Go Live.’
- Software QA testing that includes your major monthly, quarterly, and annual functions.
- Technical expertise and analysis to quickly identify the root cause of any issues that may arise, before and after ‘Go Live’.
Filling the Gap Between Vendor Support and Business Needs
How will you fill the gap between vendor support and what is required to make this transition a success? You need a team of professional consultants who have the experience, the expertise, and the roadmap to follow. A team who has provided this service to many customers and understands exactly what it takes to make this business transformation. A firm who can provide teams of expert Business Analysts and SQA Testers to fill all the gaps between vendor services, your business resources, and your success. You need the advantage of advice and guidance from professional consultants who can guide you efficiently and cost effectively through this process.
Need Help with Your COTS Implementation?
Don't do it alone. Our expert Business Analysts can make your transition smooth and successful. Learn more about our Business Analysis Services here!