PPT: a COTS integration case study

ABSTRACT

T. Rowe Price Investment Technologies built The Product and Project Tracking System (PPT) to reduce the human resources needed to track and forecast Information Technology projects. Instead of developing or purchasing a new system, the need was met by integrating Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) products already used and licensed by the company. The conclusion can be made that this approach reduces development costs while providing more flexibility than a single vendor solution. This paper described the process used and issues encountered in building a system from software products generally intended for stand-alone applications. It discusses the rationale behind the system, the choice of products, the software engineering process used, the handling of changes, and modifications made in business practice. A discussion will be made of the initial Return on Investment and ongoing support requirements.

REFERENCES

• 1: T. Capers Jones, Estimating software costs, McGraw-Hill, Inc., Hightstown, NJ, 1998
• 2: Lucas, H.C. Information Technology and the Productivity Paradox. New York: Oxford University Press. (1999).
• 3: Steve McConnell, Rapid Development: Taming Wild Software Schedules, Microsoft Press, Redmond, WA, 1996
• 4: Roger S. Pressman, Software engineering (3rd ed.): a practitioner's approach, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY, 1992
• 5: Strassmann, P.A. "Information Paradox", ComputerWorld. (01 Nov 1999). 40.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.3 Software Management
          Subjects: Software development

General Terms:
Design, Management, Measurement, Performance, Theory

Keywords:
commercial-off-the-shelf, development methodology, product integration, return on investment, software engineering