Discussion board two is about using IS for competitive advantage. You will need to pick a business and give an example of how they are currently using IS in a way that gives them a competitive advantage.

To make sure there is some variety in the business is reviewed there are some requirements for selecting a business:

1. The business name must begin with the same letter is your last name or one letter before or after. Example: if your last name begins with the letter T you can use the business name that starts with S, T, or U. There are no restrictions on the type or location of business. If you need help finding a business simply search by the needed letter or business types. Do not use your first name!
2. Ignore any articles in the first part of the name such as A, An, The Example: if the name of the business is The Burger Hut, you would ignore the The and the business could be used for someone whose last starts with the letter B but not the letter T.
3. If the name begins with a number then use the letter of the first word after the number. Example: for 7-eleven you would use E for the letter.
4. Businesses you can't use for the assignment are Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Tesla, Netflix, Facebook, or any of the businesses owned by them, such as Instagram, which is owned by Facebook.

General Requirements

1. Choose a business to review that meets the selection criteria.
2. You will post about a single specific information system they are using for a competitive advantage.
3. Answer each question in your post as specified.
4. It must be submitted by the due date or it will not be accepted.

Specific Requirements for your post

1. The first line of your post must have both the name of the business you selected and the link for their web site.
2. The second paragraph will name the one specific information system the business is using for a competitive advantage and explain how it works. The system you select can be used in any way, such as self-help kiosks, logistics systems, etc., so it isnt just limited to their website.
   1. The information system must be specific - you can't simply say "their website" or "phone app". Websites typically will allow someone to do many different things such as place orders, get product information, request help, etc. However, you could use a specific feature/function on their website or phone app.
   2. You have to name the exact system being used for a competitive advantage. You can't use broad generalities such as "the cloud", "AI", "SQL" "online sales" "advertising" or "social media"- it needs to be specific!
   3. It must be an information system and not just a product, service, or standard business practice. An ipad or the battery used in a Tesla are impressive technologies, but in of itself are not an information system. Remember, an information system consists of hardware, software, data, procedures/processes, and people.
3. The third paragraph should explain specifically how the information system you listed in paragraph two gives a competitive advantage. You can include information on their main competitors for comparison but make sure the focus is on your business. As far as competitive advantage, think in terms of the material from chapter three, specifically the principles of competitive advantage listed towards the end around slide 26 (and it might do more than one of these):
   1. Creating a new product or service
   2. Enhancing products or services
   3. Differentiate products or services
   4. Lock in customers and buyers
   5. Lock-in suppliers
   6. Raise barriers to market entry
   7. Establish alliances
   8. Reduce costs
4. Even though this is a discussion board post and not a paper, it must be clearly written, with correct grammar, and a professional presentation.
5. Do not just copy text from their website or a news article about the information system and post it in the discussion. This will be considered plagiarism and no points will be awarded.
6. The length should be enough to adequately answer each question, which is a total of 200 words.

Grading Rubric (possible 5 points):

The grading rubric assumes a minimum acceptable standard. Simply posting something doesn't mean points will be awarded. Posts lacking in quality and/or quantity may be awared zero points.

Failure to list a single specific information system will result in no points awarded. Using a generic technology such as SQL, ERP, online sales, etc., will result in no points being awarded. You must name a specific technology the business uses and explain how it is used by them to their advantage.