Date:         Mon, 7 Sep 1998 18:02:09 +0200
Reply-To:     Niklas Karlsson <Niklas.Karlsson@NIKLASDATA.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         Niklas Karlsson <Niklas.Karlsson@NIKLASDATA.COM>
Organization: Niklas Data Europe B.V.
Subject:      I don't agree that "SAS Losing in a Big Way in Key Areas"
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Hi Stephen,
 
I agree about some of your comments below but I don't agree that SAS has lost in a "Big Way in Key Areas". 
 
Read the following white paper from SAS Institute and you will be surprised how right the guys in Cary are thinking about the future.
http://www.sas.com/software/IDE/DSSPaper.htm
 
Niklas Karlsson, Founder and CEO of Niklas Data Group
 
I have bet my company on SAS Institute before and I will absolutly continue to do that in the next coming years!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Stephen McDaniel wrote in message <00ac01bdd99f$4976ecc0$7a2f37a6@pavilion>...
    First, I just want to say that I have used SAS for 10+ years and will probably use it for the next 10.
     
    However...
     
    SAS has really blown it in a big way in the 90's and lost out on some incredible opportunities:
     
    1) OLAP (online analytical processing) tools, enterprise reporting, and data warehousing.
     
    SAS should be number 1 or 2 in each of these areas.  Instead, they are quickly sinking.  I recently took the SAS DW Administrator class, and I can safely say it is overpriced and too simplistic.  The SAS Data Mining tool is ok.  But interactive PROC REPORT is terrible.  And, try and give SAS/Graph (without the Beta Graph-N-Go) to non-programmers.
     
    SAS should take a look at tools like Brio Enterprise, Cognos Impromptu and Powerplay, Crystal Reports, and even the latest version of Oracle Discoverer.  All of these tools (and others) are far easier to use to build and maintain customizable reports and permitting mere mortals (non-programmers) to easily modify and even create their own reports and graphs dynamically.  I just don't understand why or how SAS is soooooo far behind in these vital areas (perhaps it is the very expensive licensing approach, and some pomposity from the SAS campus?)
     
    2) Application Development
    SAS/AF, FRAME, FSP, EIS, etc. is falling behind in several areas.  
     
    A) Licensing problems- try and tell your corporate finance group that they only need to pay 1k/yr. to each distributed user of your SAS applications.  I did, and was almost laughed out of their office.  Why?  Licensing is ridiculous.  I can't distribute run-time executable programs or license a stripped down copy of SAS for application end-users (at least I couldn't a year ago.) 
     
    B) Technology lag- ever play with VB?  I was impressed with it (please no flames from the Anti-Bills.)  It was so much easier to master than the still cryptic AF and Frame technology SAS has.  Even Oracle Developer is nicer.
     
     
    SAS reminds me somewhat of Oracle.  They are both run by mutli-billionaires that are throwing money at glamorous/dream areas (NC, airlines, multimedia, real-estate, etc.) that is not the core of their business/sucess.  Meanwhile, they often neglect what brought them to where they are (the biggest private and second largest public software companies.)  There was a recent Fortune magazine article about Larry Ellison once again becoming actively involved in his company to turn the mindset around and light a fire under their R&D feet.  What about SAS?  Revenue recently fell, version 7 will be released one day, etc. etc. etc.
     
    Sincerely,
    Stephen McDaniel
 
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