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System Implementation Using Commercial Off-The-Shelf ( COTS ) Software

In an attempt to reduce cost and delivery time of software systems Commercial Off-TheShelf (COTS) software components are being used in increasing numbers. The source code for these components is not available to the system developer nor does the system developer control the specification, release schedule and evolution of the components. In order to better understand the issues involved in system implementation using COTS software, the Software Engineering Group of the National Research Council of Canada is undertaking a series of experiments concerning systems which use COTS software components. In order to better understand the issues relative to system users and developers, (as opposed to developers of the COTS software components), we are experimenting with architectures, technologies, and processes. This paper describes preliminary results obtained from an ongoing research experiment. The experiment consists of developing a prototype of a distributed database management * NRC Report Number 40173 and communications system. This system represents the need to integrate a significant number of COTS software products under one umbrella, including data acquisition, data conversion, data manipulation, communication, database, and messaging. Many of these functions are provided by COTS software components from different vendors. The research extends our understanding of the problems involved in implementing these types of systems. This research is supported by the Chief, Research and Development (CRAD), Canadian Armed Forces, Canada.