Ensuring the capability of COTS products

The question of how a systems integrator can acquire a reasonable level of confidence in the robustness and applicability of any COTS product is one of the key concerns of researchers dealing with COTS based software systems. This assurance must be gained before the COTS product is selected for inclusion in the final system. The author proposes that we examine three main areas of interest dealing with COTS selection (legal, management and technical issues). He argues that direct, detailed examination provides the most practical timely data that will allow integrators to verify that particular COTS products can perform the tasks that are required, within the overall system context.