Implementing software of any kind can feel pretty intimidating. Indeed there are as many arguments that favor commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS) as there are those that favor custom software solutions. What to do?
As an experienced IT consulting firm with both commercial-off-the-shelf and custom software consulting services, we are often asked to provide recommendations for the best-fit solution. Our broad experience with software evaluation, selection, project management and implementation, gives us valuable insights in the COTS software arena. Our in-house software engineering experience and enterprise-level custom solutions add the perspective – and the objectivity – necessary to give a credible recommendation.
Whether COTS or CUSTOM, there are lots of questions that must be asked, and many of these questions are relative to either solution. Here’s the short list:
- Where do you start?
- Will it satisfy your requirements?
- Are your requirements valid now and moving forward?
- Which solution is more cost effective?
- How long will it take?
- Will it be adopted by your employees?
- What if you want to make changes in the future?
- Will the software keep pace with the latest technologies?
With this many questions and so much riding on the outcome, professional IT guidance is a must – it is simply too big of a decision to go it alone. All things considered, a couple of quotations come to mind:
“It is not logical to make a decision based upon so few facts, sir,” ~ Spock
“Humans have a knack for choosing precisely the things that are worst for them.” ~ J. K. Rowling
Compass Consulting welcomes you to contact us and discuss the “COTS vs. Custom” decision points. We will be pleased to share our experience in answering your questions.