During the past two decades, the software market has been dominated by Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products that offer a myriad of functionalities at a reasonable price. This is indeed the primary model of WoodPro Software Inc. The logic is quite simple - the cost of development of the off-the-shelf product is distributed over a number of buyers, since the pricing is spread over the number of licenses that will be sold.


One might think that if the option of an off-the-shelf software product is available, why would one go for a customized development?


Though the COTS product is ready to use, it may not be catered to the exact requirements of your organization. Usually, some adjustments would be needed in order to implement a typical off-the-shelf product. But what if the same simple logic of spreading the costs could be applied to customer specific enhancements? Those enhancements could be built back into the core COTS software, thereby, eliminating the risk of program obsolescence that is inherent with customized software.

This has lead WoodPro Software, Inc. to the development of a parallel ‘economic’ based development initiative that is based on low cost software customization called Customer Prioritized Development (CPD). CPD refers to the programs we develop in conjunction with our clients to address their specific requirements, but at the same time enhance our core product – without the expensive fees imposed by typical COTS software companies. Why should the customer have to bear the costs and risks, when the enhancements could be built into the core product and shared with the existing and potential user base? CPD is sponsored by both our large and small customers, who want a competitive advantage, and are comfortable with their enhancements becoming ‘commodity’ software.