COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) software

COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) software refers to ready-made programs purchased from a vendor for general use, rather than custom-developed solutions. These products, like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop, are designed to meet common needs across many users and organizations. They typically offer quick deployment, proven reliability, and ongoing updates, making them cost-effective and convenient. COTS software contrasts with custom software built specifically for a single organization, which can be more expensive and time-consuming. It’s widely used across various industries to streamline processes and improve productivity without the delay and expense of creating software from scratch.