A framework to address the impact of system of systems integration using commercially off the shelf (COTS) technology

Abstract

For systems engineering, systems integration (SI) establishes linkages between hardware (HW), software (SW), products, services, processes and humans. Over the last decade the world of systems development has evolved rapidly particularly in the use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products as elements of larger systems. The growing trend toward COTS-based systems (CBS) architectures is based on modular components available within the market. This trend has presented various challenges for systems engineering practitioners attempting to understand the implications of using COTS products within these large and complex projects. This paper analyses those unique aspects of COTS products that influence the SI process differently than the integration of 'in-house' custom developed products.

Technical debt in the engineering of complex systems

“…Keeping up with newer versions of every COTS component is often cumbersome, expensive, and infeasible for developing and maintaining CPS systems. Therefore, a major challenging issue is to strategically refresh COTS versions 53 . The refresh and renewal process for COTS needs to be defined a priori and managed so that COTS updates can be synchronized with each other and the organization's release and business cycles 23 .…”

“…Therefore, a major challenging issue is to strategically refresh COTS versions. 53 The refresh and renewal process for COTS needs to be defined a priori and managed so that COTS updates can be synchronized with each other and the organization's release and business cycles. 23 If the decision is to skip certain newer COTS versions, potential version conflict risks due to complicated inter-dependencies would be introduced, and this may eventually lead to out of sync build dependencies, 54 and/or COTS obsolescence.…”

An extended framework for supply chain risk management: incorporating the complexities of emerging industries and large-scale systems

“…Basu et al (2007) identified risks of suppliers in financial trouble, supply side capacity constraints, and common supplier dependency risks, while Silver and Daly (2007) identified liabilities arising from outsourcing of legal and law-related services. Another area of SCR concern is using commercial-off-the-shelf technologies from suppliers, which are integrated into larger systems (VanLeer and Jain, 2013).…”