A supply manager for XYZ Corp. has been planning for negotiations with Supplier A. This software is critical for use on XYZs production line and negotiation preparation has occurred the past two weeks. Supplier A has scheduled its CFO and CEO to participate in negotiations next Monday. XYZ likes Supplier As software, but two days ago was alerted by Supplier A that they are dropping support for the version that XYZ uses. The supply manager learns that the new proposed upgrade is cost prohibitive for XYZ.

As a result, the IT department has detailed its requirements for support of the software, and an IT employee has attended the negotiations practice. On Thursday before the negotiation, the IT employee calls the supply manager and states that she is unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. She further states that he is confident the supply manager can represent the IT departments needs in the negotiations.

Given this scenario, which of the following should the supply manager do?

(A) Follow the advice of the IT employee and represent IT in the negotiations

(B) Escalate the issue to the IT director, ensuring that they send a knowledgeable representative

(C) Conduct the negotiations with the agreement that support issues will be dealt with at a later time

(D) Postpone the negotiations until an IT representative becomes available