The world's largest privately-held software company commemorates 35 years of continuous revenue, customer and employee growth
CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--From humble beginnings at North Carolina State University in 1976 to a 900-acre collegiate-style campus and more than 400 global offices, SAS, the leader in business analytics software and services, turns 35 this month. Since its inception, SAS' deep analytic expertise has helped its customers transform the world in unique ways: protecting endangered species such as white rhinos, polar bears, whales and Bengal tigers; identifying potential bioterrorism threats; reducing poverty and hunger; speeding up pharmaceutical discoveries for illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis; increasing childhood cancer survival rates; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; and reducing child mortality.
"Our first 100 customers are still our customers today - an indication of the strength of the relationships we have cultivated and the value our software provides," said Jim Goodnight, co-founder and CEO of SAS. "Not only do we have a very strong and loyal customer base, but we have the lowest employee turnover in the industry - which further emphasizes the stability and longevity you can trust and expect from us. For 35 years we have watched, listened and responded to how businesses are adjusting and adapting to changes in the market - and we have done it by continuing to deliver innovative and reliable analytics software that turns data into a powerful asset. We have grown as the data has grown and we have provided the analytics that make that data valuable."
Universities, government entities and businesses have benefited from the unique SAS® Business Analytics Framework. Long ago SAS realized that making insightful, informed, accurate decisions was not just about gathering all data into one place and managing it so that companies could answer "what happened?" The most crucial element to pulling true value from data comes from answering the "why, how and what happens next" questions so that decision makers can identify and seize new opportunities, and stay ahead of competitors. SAS is the only company that has been dedicated and focused on delivering enterprise analytics to solve problems and identify opportunities for 35 continuous years.
Companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cornell University, Northern Trust, the U.S. Army Information Technology Agency and Verizon are just a few of SAS' longest-standing customers. Over the years, companies such as 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, HSBC, Bank of America, Brigham and Women's Hospital, AstraZeneca, SubZero, W.L. Gore, Kraft, American Honda, Staples and the U.S. Census Bureau - and more than 50,000 businesses located in every part of the world - have become SAS customers.
"I remember it was all about computing back in 1976 - NC State's School of Agriculture depended on us to analyze their research," said John Sall, SAS co-founder and Executive Vice President. "Our first user event in 1976 had close to 300 people in attendance - today we have user group events all over the world that attract thousands of people every year. It's amazing to see how much we've grown and it's exciting to see how far I know we can go. Not only have we received the prestigious honor of being named No. 1 on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For list in the U.S. for two years in a row, but we also have numerous international offices that have been acknowledged as being a best place to work. With that kind of positive energy, creativity and innovation, we are at just the beginning of all that we can provide to the market."
About SAS
SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. Through innovative solutions delivered within an integrated framework, SAS helps customers at more than 50,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW®. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2011 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.