A passage is given below, followed by five options. Choose the option that represents the assumption underlying the information given in the passage. Passage: A retail chain has announced that it will replace its manual inventory tracking system with an AI-driven automated system to eliminate errors and reduce overhead costs. The management has stated that this transition will lead to a 15% increase in annual profits by ensuring that popular items are always in stock and reducing the waste of perishable goods. The plan of the management is based on which of the following assumptions?

Analysis of the Passage: The management claims that the new system will "reduce overhead costs" and lead to a "15% increase in annual profits." Identifying the Assumption: For any new technology to result in a net profit increase, the board must assume that the savings and gains it provides will not be completely canceled out by the cost of the technology itself. If the system cost more than it saved, the profit goal would be impossible. Therefore, C is the foundational assumption. A is incorrect: The passage focuses on the system's efficiency, not the staff’s inability to learn. B is incorrect: This would weaken the argument rather than acting as a supporting assumption. D is incorrect: The passage discusses inventory management (back-end), not customer interaction (front-end). E is incorrect: While the system helps with perishable goods, it isn't necessary to assume they are the majority of the inventory for the plan to work; they only need to be a part of the profit-leaking problem.