ABSTRACT
Executive summary: In 2016, most large companies own about as many COTS packages as they own internal software applications. Small companies often come close to 100% COTS packages combined with open-source packages. Many companies and government agencies find that vanilla COTS packages need customization. This can be a very difficult task, based in part on whether the COTS vendors support or discourage modifications. Even if modifications are supported, they can still jeopardize future COTS updates. COTS packages include accounting software, financial software, human resource software, engineering and architectural design tools, enterprise resource planning packages, office suites, operating systems, and many more.
