In our experience, most first-time hardware production launches in China are failures in the sense that the initial projections of budgets and timelines are totally blown, often because of widespread quality issues.
With this worrying statistic in mind, our project managers and engineers help creators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and hardware startups get into a position where they can successfully launch production of a new product.
What is Sofeast’s new product introduction solution?
If you only have the design of your product and you still have all the development work ahead of you, you will generally need to go through these 4 steps:
- Manufacturing partner selection & verification
- Prototyping, certifications
- Pre-production preparation
- Production of first order
We provide you with hands-on technical guidance, support, and management of these steps, or, if you are already somewhere along them already, we can help you move faster in the direction of mass production.
Why choose this solution?
If you haven’t already launched several products that were manufactured in China, the odds are truly against you. We made NPI the speciality of our Product Engineering department. Our product engineering and project management experts advise and support you along the way.
Who is the new product introduction solution suitable for?
Sofeast is most helpful to companies that need to develop a new product with electronic and/or mechanical components. It matches our past experience in this domain and the competencies of our engineering team.
Read more about why hardware startups run into problems when launching new products.
What activities make up the NPI solution?
Here are typical ways we help companies make their NPI and DFM successful:
- Consulting on setting the right strategy (deciding what type of manufacturer to use, which component suppliers need to be directed, etc.).
- Confirmation of realistic objectives for the project and defining the plan.
- Assistance in screening and vetting the manufacturing partner(s).
- Review of product design, risk analysis, and guidance on improvements required.
- Collection of components for prototypes, and assembly and testing of prototypes.
- Development of a compliance testing plan, and management of certifications.
- Advice about, and management of, tooling (molds, fixtures, dies, etc.) for production and testing.
- Preparing the assembly line: Creating work instructions, training, etc.
- Follow up on the pilot run, documentation of serious gaps, and guidance on an improvement plan.
How is it reported?
One of our project managers, as well as some of our engineers, are in frequent contact with you and update you every step of the way. We typically use collaborative software such as Trello or Asana, to make communication as fluid as possible.
How much does it cost?
Every production project is unique, so the cost of the new product introduction solution is totally dependent on the scope of work.
We can start to support your NPI process from 1,000 USD upwards. Or we can manage the entire development of your new product for you. Just hit the button below to request more information.
Resources to help you learn more about NPI
Read these blog posts for more useful knowledge related to new product introduction:
- 5 Steps for Manufacturing a New Product in China
- The 7 Most Common Product Launch Pitfalls in China
- What It Takes to Develop a New Electronic Product in China
- Managing your Product’s Life Cycle
- How to Increase Speed of Developing New Products in China
- Product Development Timeline – How Long It Takes to Develop a New Hardware Product
You will also enjoy our NPI process guide tailored for hardware startups here:
The New Product Introduction Process Guide for Hardware Startups
