Push to find value in data boosts SAS Data Management sales

New data management YTD revenue up 18 percent as companies demand value from growing data assets

CARY, NC  (Nov. 21, 2011)  – Recognizing the worth of accumulated data assets, enterprises are increasingly choosing data management technologies from SAS, the leader in business analytics. SAS helps companies create and maintain the information foundation for better decision making. 

Globally, new sales of data management software by SAS in 2011 are up 18 percent for the first three quarters over the same period in 2010. 

Recognizing that data management is the foundation of business analytics, SAS acquired highly regarded DataFlux in 2000. The tightly integrated companies work closely together to address the growing demand for data management solutions. 

"A data management platform is critical to business analytics. Our converged sales team can engage in a range of discussions, from data management to integrated data management/analytics," said Jim Davis, SAS Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "Information management, including data management, is a vital competitive edge." 

A natural solution

The Nature Conservancy turned to SAS Data Management technologies to support its mission to preserve the diversity of life and nature. The nonprofit steward of more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of river in the US had a stellar fundraising record until the economy soured. As consumers' disposable incomes shrunk, the Conservancy's fundraising was challenged. 

John Blackwell, Director of Business Information and Analytics at The Nature Conservancy, said the organization was spending too much time converting, and not analyzing, fundraising data.  “We needed to optimize donor gift size and simultaneously increase campaign response rates, while keeping costs down,” he said. 

"We chose SAS to integrate data selection, transformation and analysis in a single environment," said Blackwell. "The efficiencies achieved through SAS data management reduced indirect costs, including analyst hours. The bottom line is we increased revenue per direct mail item, so we have more money to spend on conservation." 

Big data plan

Global demand for data management solutions is accelerating, as sales show. At the same time, customer organizations seek a more holistic approach to business analytics. Among the new SAS data management customers in 2011 are Accident Compensation Corporation (New Zealand), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, De Nederlandsche Bank, FedEx Corporate Services  and the Michigan Department of Education. 

A recent "big data" survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by SAS, shows that companies with a strategic data management plan financially outperform their competitors. A resounding 82 percent of respondents reported having no formal data management plan, resulting in lost opportunity for competitive advantage. Yet, more than half of those with data management plans said their companies outperformed the competition. 

"This era of big data intensifies the need for good information management, as the potential for business value and opportunity strengthens," added Davis. "Organizations under pressure to be more agile and address content from social media increasingly choose SAS."

Companies benefiting from SAS Data Management technologies include Chico's, EmblemHealth Services, Fiserv Solutions, McKesson Corp., New Zealand Department of Labour, US Census Bureau, US Coast Guard, Veikkaus (Finland's State Lottery) and thousands of other enterprises around the globe. 

Interested in data management issues? Follow the SAS Information Architect blog for compelling discussions of topical issues in technology.

About SAS

Back to Recent SAS Press Releases

Copyright © SAS Institute Inc. All Rights Reserved.