Commercial Off the Shelf vs. Custom Programmed Software
What is Commercial off-the-shelf-software?
When searching for a software solution, whether it is to run an entire business, or just fill a single functional need, one must decide whether to search for a commercial off-the-shelf-software (COTS) solution, or use programming services for custom, one-off development. COTS, also referred to as package software, is the more traditional and popular mindset. If you need a word processor, would you build one from scratch, or go find an existing software that meets your needs? Package software will beat out one-off development in nearly every category: price, stability and upgradability. The biggest advantages that one-off development has over packaged software are the speed of application development and degree of customization. But customizations to a software package has trade-offs such as price and future upgrades.
Is there no compromise? A way to get the new features needed now, and still be ready to upgrade tomorrow? The answer lies deep in the technology that the software is built on, and the development methodology of the software vendor.
Our approach at Camelot has been to leverage the best of both worlds. We have partnered with Microsoft to build our Excalibur WMS and Express WMS products inside the Microsoft Dynamics NAV platform. This flexible, powerful ERP program allows us the opportunity to address customizations inside package software. Updates are much easier and can be rapidly deployed even while users are inside the system, with no interruption. “Hook-ins” allow adding customized code to standard processes without any conflicts with future upgrades.
In addition to the technological benefits that allow for rapid development, we can also release new features for specific customers before they are ready for general release, without jeopardizing the core code. Whenever a new feature is needed, it can be developed and deployed immediately, regardless of the version of the software. Once the next general release update is available, the system can be updated like normal without any special adjustments.
By leveraging the reliability and functionality of a large and proven COTS solution together with the industry-specific customization of an experienced software developer, it is possible to have the best of both worlds.