Final answer:
Sonic's use of point-of-sales terminals to analyze purchasing trends is an example of Business Intelligence (BI), which helps organizations make informed decisions by analyzing data.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sonic's use of point-of-sales terminals to track purchasing trends at different outlets is an example of Business Intelligence (BI). BI involves analyzing data to support decision-making processes in an organization. Companies use BI tools to understand their operations, the market, and customer preferences better. This typically includes gathering data from various sources, such as sales transactions, to identify trends and make informed decisions.
In contrast, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) focuses more on managing a company's interactions with current and potential customers, Supply Chain Management (SCM) on overseeing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integrates various departments within a company to improve efficiency.