What does forward integration involve?

Forward integration refers to a strategy where an organization extends its operations to include downstream activities or processes in the supply chain. This typically involves taking control of additional stages of the distribution or sales processes, allowing a company to reduce reliance on external entities and increase efficiency in delivering products or services to the market.

The correct answer focuses on sending information to downstream systems automatically, which exemplifies the principles of forward integration. By automating the flow of information to downstream systems, a company can ensure a seamless transition from production to distribution and customer interactions. This capability enhances communication across various parts of the supply chain and allows for more efficient responses to customer demand, inventory management, and sales processes.

The other options pertain to different concepts within data handling and information management, but they do not specifically capture the essence of forward integration, which is fundamentally about connecting and streamlining the operations that occur after the initial production phase.