SAS Institute to port SAS software to Linux
Mar 14th, 21:36 UTC
Expanding operating-system choice for thousands of data warehousing and decision-support customers
CARY, N.C. (March 14, 2000) -- SAS Institute, the market leader in integrated
data warehousing and decision support, today announced that it will release a
Linux version of its flagship SAS software later this year. For the thousands
of companies and organizations that rely on SAS software and solutions to
help turn their data into knowledge for better business decisions, this will
mean another choice in operating systems.
"We have surveyed our customers regarding Linux and closely monitored the
Linux marketplace for some time," said Keith Collins, SAS Institute's vice
president of research and development. "Based on positive customer feedback,
as well as the increasing number of Fortune 1000 companies looking seriously
at Linux as a viable operating-system choice for their enterprise-wide
business applications, we felt that the time was right for us to offer a Linux
version of SAS software. We're also pleased by the recent moves to support
Linux by IBM, Intel and other SAS technology partners."
SAS Institute plans to ship a production version of SAS software for Red Hat
Linux on Intel hardware near the end of the year. Red Hat Linux is from Red
Hat Inc., the leading distributor of Linux-based products and services. The
Institute will work to ensure that the Linux version of SAS software runs on
all major distributions of Linux.
"Many IT managers are attracted to the reliability and ease-of-use of Linux,
but are worried about the dearth of heavy-duty business applications on the
platform," said Bob Moran, research vice president and managing director for
decision support research at Aberdeen Group. "SAS Institute's intent to port
SAS software to Linux will help allay these concerns. As a leader in
mission-critical software solutions as well as in customer service and
technical support, SAS Institute adds to the overall viability of the Linux
platform and will help bolster the confidence of companies deploying Linux."
Before production of the new Linux version of SAS software, SAS Institute will
work with existing customers in business, public sector and academic settings
to field-test the new Red Hat Linux version. This field-testing will provide
SAS developers with valuable feedback on hardware configuration,
compatibility, software installation and other issues.
Operating-system choice
SAS Institute has a long tradition of multi-platform support, and is committed
to supporting its customers' choices of operating systems, from desktop
systems to mainframes. With today's announcement, SAS Institute is extending
this commitment through the support of Linux.
"Our customers in business, government and academia rely on SAS Institute for
mission-critical decision support solutions -- for e-intelligence, customer-
and supplier-relationship management, data mining, OLAP, and data warehousing,
among others," said Barrett Joyner, president of SAS Institute North America.
"With these SAS solutions, they can make better business decisions that move
their organizations forward and that provide competitive advantage. Now, with
a Linux version of SAS software, our customers have added flexibility in
choosing an appropriate operating system or mix of operating systems."
SAS Institute already delivers solutions that run on all the major
operating-system platforms, including the leading versions of UNIX (Solaris,
HP-UX, AIX, and Tru64, with support for Project Monterey planned), as well as
Windows 2000, Windows NT and mainframe operating systems.
A key platform for e-business Nearly 550 SAS customers were surveyed last year
regarding Linux. More than three-fourths were already running Linux, and
almost 90 percent expressed interest in licensing a production release of SAS
software for Linux. Additionally, more than 70 percent of SAS customers said
they were either using or considering Linux for their Web servers. With strong
growth in its use for running Web servers in particular, Linux is fast
becoming a key platform for e-business and e-commerce.
"SAS Institute's support for Linux broadens the scope of enterprise business
applications available on this platform," said Paul McNamara, general manager,
enterprise business unit at Red Hat. "The availability of SAS software on Red
Hat Linux will create a wealth of opportunities for e-businesses eager to
realize the performance and reliability of Linux in the Internet
infrastructure applications where it thrives."
Linux
Linux is an operating system -- software that helps applications and hardware
work together -- related to UNIX. As open-source software, Linux is constantly
being tested and improved by users worldwide. Linux deployment is growing
rapidly, particularly in large enterprises. In fact, recent analyst reports
have predicted that Linux will account for one-fourth of the server operating
system market in three years.
About SAS Institute
SAS Institute,
the world's largest privately held software company,
is the leader in decision support and
data warehousing,
providing integrated enterprise information-delivery solutions
and e-business solutions.
The Institute markets packaged business solutions for vertical
industry and departmental applications, as well as an integrated
suite of software tools and consulting services. These allow companies
to transform the wide variety of data within their organizations
into information that business users and researchers need to make
better decisions. SAS software and services are used at more than
33,000 business, government, and university sites
in 115 countries. SAS Institute's 1999 revenues topped $1 billion.
Editorial contacts:
For North America: Mike Nemecek or Pamela Meek, (919) 677-8000
For Europe, Middle East & Africa: Frances Bell, 018 (49) 6221-4160
For Asia-Pacific & Latin America:
Donna Saintomas, (919) 677-8000
Visit the SAS Institute Press Center for more information.
(Submitted by Mike Nemecek of SAS Institute)
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