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Definition of a COTS Integration Process. Steve Nelson Raytheon Presented to ASEE 5 March, 2002. Agenda. Introduction Why COTS? COTS Advantages The Problems SEI Lessons Learned The Solutions The Process Summary. API. DII COE. GOTS. COTS. CORBA. MOTS. NDI. OTS. COTS-Solution
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Definition of a COTS Integration Process Steve Nelson Raytheon Presented to ASEE 5 March, 2002
Agenda • Introduction • Why COTS? • COTS Advantages • The Problems • SEI Lessons Learned • The Solutions • The Process • Summary
API DII COE GOTS COTS CORBA MOTS NDI OTS
COTS-Solution Single vendor Pre-Integrated e.g. Payroll ‘Turn Key’ COTS-Integration Usually different vendors Multiple Components ‘Glue Code’ COTS-Based Systems
Why COTS? • Single Customer Expense • Inflexible and unable to easily capitalize on technical advances • Historically – field 10-year old technology • Increased availability • ‘Silver Bullet’
COTS Advantages • Reduced Costs • Availability • Shortened Schedule (no ‘development’ & test) • Reduced Risk • Improved Quality (more users ‘testing’) • Maintenance transferred to vendor updates
The Problems • To gain benefits, COTS must be used ‘as is’ • Most COTS is not designed to work together • Lack of true integration experience & product expertise • Constant, asynchronous product updates • Problems Percolate • Market driven upgrades (no control) • COTS unique aspects (upgrades, licensing, etc.) • No development process • Attitudes (‘plug-n-play’, home computers)
SEI Lessons Learned • COTS acquisition started after contract award • COTS source-code changed to meet customer requirements • I&T uncovered further business practice differences • COTS Schedule = Custom Development • COTS requirements & selection pre-contract award • No COTS modifications! • Requirements flexibility • Early customer and vendor involvement • Contracting officer won award!
The Solutions • Vendor and customer cooperation EARLY! • COTS Evaluation/Domain Groups • Standards Gurus • Training Investment • Historical Data • COTS Product Database • COTS Procedures Database (install, config, & integration) • PROCESS
SUMMARY • Process – early involvement, early COTS, iterative, emphasis on learning from previous • COTS Product Database • COTS Procedures Database • Support from Domain and Standards Gurus • Trained Engineers • It’s an investment in the future