This course covers the acquisition of open systems and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products, an increasingly vital element of corporate and government software development. Properly managed software acquisition offers potential for significant time and cost savings over a system's lifetime. The transition from proprietary, custom-built systems to systems based on standards and commercial products is not easy, however. Managers and their staff must understand the risks and opportunities associated with this acquisition approach. Prerequisites: BUS- 301 and BUS-384 or equivalent. (3-0-3)