Use the OSSL example or scenario. Recall that in Assignment $1,$ we use a specific set of three characteristics to determine if something is an element or not. Review these options below, and identify the best one.

Group of answer choices

a$.$ The SAS utilized to monitoring customer payment and balances is not an element.

b$.$ The billing invoice stated in the OSSL scenario is not an element.

c$.$ The vendor $($i$.$e$.,$ supplier$)$ engaged in the process is not an element.

d$.$ Both SAS and the billing invoice are not elements.$\mathrm{.}1$ Based in Denver, Colorado, Office Solutions & Supply Link $($OSSL$)$ is an intermediary connecting

$2$ suppliers with corporate clients. While OSSL does not design or manufacture products, it enjoys a

$3$ compelling reputation for offering standard and tailor$-$made office furniture. It also provides a wide

$4$ array of additional items, such as whiteboards, projectors, projector bulbs, and computer

$5$ accessories, to enterprises. OSSL maintains a team of skilled and well$-$informed sales associates

$6$ who can offer essential training to customers after their product purchases. These sales associates

$7$ play a pivotal role in the company's operations.

$8$ The process $($of filling an order$)$ begins when a customer places an order through an OSSL sales

$9$ representative. A representative usually visits the customer at their location, writes up an order,

$10$ generates a billing invoice for the customer, and emails a copy of the order to OSSL$$s Warehouse.

$11$ The customers remit payment at the time of purchase by writing a check, which the sales

$12$ representative sends to the OSSL accounting department along with a copy of the order and the

$13$ invoice for processing.

$14$ The accounting department $($i$.$e$.,$ one of the accountants$)$ uses Secure Accounting Software

$15$ Solution $($SAS$)$ to track customer orders and manage its banking. Each order is input into SAS,

$16$ and customer balances are closely monitored. When a check is received, it is applied to the

$17$ customer's order using the SAS. The check is then scanned and recorded into the back$-$end

$18$ database. SAS then communicates $($without the help of any employees$)$ with the Bank of America

$19$ software system to have the funds automatically credited to the company$$s $($i$.$e$.,$ OSSL$$s$)$ bank

$20$ account.

$21$ After the OSSL warehouse $($i$.$e$.,$ one of the warehouse employees$)$ receives an order from a sales

$22$ representative, it starts processing the order for shipment. Any in$-$stock items are packaged and

$23$ shipped to the customer and marked as 'shipped' on the order form. Any out$-$of$-$stock items are

$24$ marked 'out of stock' on the order form. A warehouse employee then sends the updated order form

$25$ to the sales representative. If the order contains any out$-$of$-$stock items, the sales representative

$26$ must notify the customer that the items are not in stock and estimate when they are expected to

$27$ arrive $($if possible$).$ Then, the sales representative would generate a Purchase Order $($PO$)$ for the

$28$ back$-$ordered items. Since most products in the OSSL inventory come from different vendors, the

$29$ sales representative would select an appropriate vendor and send the PO to the correct vendor. In

$30$ addition, since a PO is a legal promissory note to pay the vendors for ordered products, a copy of

$31$ the PO is sent to the accounting department. Once the vendor receives the PO$,$ it will package the

$32$ products and send them to the OSSL warehouse along with an invoice.

$33$ The warehouse will receive the products into inventory and forward the vendor's invoice to the

$34$ accounting department. When the accounting department receives the vendor's invoice, it will link

$35$ it $($i$.$e$.,$ the invoice$)$ to the open PO by entering it into SAS. The SAS will then automatically send

$36$ an electronic check payment to the vendor.