COTS Definition

COTS — commercial off-the-shelf — is the name given to ready-made products which includes hardware and software that are made before any given client is purchasing it and is adjusted aftermarket to the specific needs of the client. In a nutshell it is the opposite of a custom-made solution from third-party providers.

As examples of COTS you can think of ERPs and CRMs with a one-size-fits-all approach. Commercial off-the-shelf software technology is recognized for its convenience in case of needing a straightforward and user-friendly solution. Another significant appeal of this approach is the streamlined costs that can be predicted by analyzing the average market price for similar products.