Answer to Question 1
When referring to outbound-to-customer shipments, the term order to cash (or order cycle) is typically used. The term replenishment cycle is used more frequently when referring to the acquisition of additional inventory, as in materials management. Basically, one organization's order cycle is another's replenishment cycle. Traditionally, organizations viewed order management as all of those activities that occur from when an order is received by a seller until the product is received by the buyer. This is called the order cycle. The OTC cycle is all of those activities included in the order cycle plus the flow of funds back to the seller based on the invoice. The OTC concept is being adopted by many organizations today and more accurately reflects the effectiveness of the order management process.
Answer to Question 2
a