Case: Rosenbluth International
          Rosenbluth Int. - a global player in the travel agency industry
          They responded with 2 strategies
                Withdrawal from the leisure travel business
                 Implementation of web-based travel technology
                       DACODA (Discount Analysis Containing Optimal Decision Algorithms)
                      Electronic Messaging ServicesE-Ticket Tracking Solution
                      Res-Monitor                                 A Globalization Network
                      Customer-Res                                IntelliCenters
                       NOC (Network Operations Center)
          Lessons from the Case
                Need for exchange business models and strategies
                Importance of web-based IT
                Global competition over service is key
                Large investment over time 
                Importance of networked infrastructure for global systems
                Web-based applications for superior customer service
                Need to patent innovative systems
              Strategic Advantage and IT
          Strategic Information System (SIS)
                Definition 
                     Systems that support or shape a business unit’s competitive 
                      strategy
                Competitive Advantage
                     An advantage over competitors in some measure such as cost, quality, or speed
                     A difference in the Value Chain Data
                Improving Core Competency
                     Employee productivity
                     Operational efficiency
                Approach
                     Outwardly - Aiming at direct competition
                     Inwardly - Focused on enhancing the competitive position of the 
                      firm
                      Strategic alliance
    Strategic Information 
    Systems (SISs)
   Any information system--EIS, OIS, TPS, KMS--that changes the goals, 
   processes, products, or environmental relationships to help an organization 
   gain a competitive advantage or reduce a competitive disadvantage.
       SISs provide strategic solutions to the 5 Business Pressures
         strategic management
          Strategic management 
             the way an organization maps or crafts the strategy of 
              its future operations
          3 Elements
             Long-range planning
             Response management
             Proactive innovation
        Strategic Evaluation & Development
                                         SWOT Analysis
                                         Product Life Cycle
                                         Quality Preference