The outsourcing trend within the electronic industry during the last decade has founded new company networks - so called extended enterprises (EEs). Future products will, to a higher degree. be jointly developed and produced within these EEs consisting of product owners. producers and suppliers. The transfer of a design into production - product introduction (PI) or industrialization - needs to be suitable for co-operation within EEs with the aim of shorten the time from concept to volume production.

This paper will describe PI within an EE relevant for the electronic industry. A definition of the PI process will be presented. Furthermore. a performed case study gives the following overall and fundamental criteria to consider working with PI within EEs. 1) A clear definition of what is included in PI, 2) Early participation of all participants in the product development project. 3) Clear cormmmication and information handling within the EE and 4) Business approach build on trust. reliability and respect for each other's competence.