Degree to which a product, system or component can exchange information with other products, systems or components, and/or perform its required functions while sharing the same common environment and resources. This characteristic is composed of the following sub-characteristics:
- Co-existence - Degree to which a product can perform its required functions efficiently while sharing a common environment and resources with other products, without detrimental impact on any other product.
- Interoperability - Degree to which a system, product or component can exchange information with other products and mutually use the information that has been exchanged.