What are the negatives of purchasing commercial, off-the-shelf software?
1. Licensing issues: Perhaps the most difficult task in contracting for a software package is understanding the type, terms and conditions of the licensing. This varies from vendor to vendor, and may include enterprise licensing, per-seat licensing, server licensing, or a combination of these. Depending upon how the license is enforced (through security codes, etc.), issues may arise when the server/workstation hardware is broken, or you have to move the software to a new machine during a disaster. What about licenses for a test machine? What happens if we decide to allow employees to work from home? All of these issues should be reviewed, understood and negotiated during the contracting process. 2. Evaluating which software package can be difficult: Evaluating packaged software can be a difficult process. Unless you are able to obtain an evaluation copy and fully test the system, you are purchasing based upon vendor literature, references from other sites, and possible site visits. Of
Related Questions
- Does the requirement for Tools and Software, as stated in Article 8 of the IR, also apply to commercial off-the-shelf software? If so, how to carry verification/certification activities?
- Are Installation and Checkout (I&C) forms needed for commercial, off-the-shelf software, particularly for additions or "patches" to the software?
- Is there a preference for off-the-shelf commercial software vs. an application built from scratch?
