What is COTS? Understanding Commercial Off-The-Shelf Products

COTS stands for Commercial Off-The-Shelf. It refers to software or hardware products that are commercially available and can be easily integrated into a system or solution without the need for significant custom development.

COTS products are often pre-tested, pre-configured, and pre-integrated with other components, which can save time and money compared to developing everything from scratch. They can also provide access to advanced technologies and capabilities that may not be feasible or cost-effective to develop in-house.

Examples of COTS products include operating systems, software applications, networking equipment, and hardware components. These products are widely available and can be easily sourced from various vendors, making it easier for organizations to build and deploy solutions quickly and efficiently.