Welcome to another exciting year in the fast-paced world of analytics and business intelligence! As a SAS user at the forefront of applying analytics and intelligence to your organizations’ challenges, there is no better place to be!

Recent reports not only point to the growth of analytics in the world of business intelligence, but increasingly in operational applications as well. The growth of analytics is nothing new, but its accelerated growth, and into new territory no less, certainly is. Of course, with that growth comes a critical need for more people capable of performing this analysis, as well as managing and preparing the required data. As SAS users, you’ve been satisfying this need for years, even decades.

SAS, too, has been supporting this growth for over 30 years. In 2008, we’ll be taking our next step forward through the release of SAS 9.2 over 2008. To help you make the most of 9.2, be sure to join us for educational presentations at your local users group, regular Webcasts, and, of course, SAS Global Forum in San Antonio, March 17 to 19. And for all those heading out to San Antonio in March, please be sure to join other Canadian attendees at the annual SAS Canada Night Out. This year’s event will take us to the Cowboys Dancehall http://www.cowboysdancehall.com for some dinner, dancing, riding a mechanical bull and more. Spouses and significant others welcome!

Finally, we are very pleased to announce the winner of the 2007 Customer Value Award: Kevin Druhan! Druhan is a Research & Statistical Officer with Continuing Care Branch, Nova Scotia Department of Health. Through his use of SAS, Kevin is able to support and impact planning, policy, program evaluation and performance management in Continuing Care. At the 2007 International InterRAI/CIHI conference in Ottawa, Kevin’s presentation, “Data Makes the Difference: Allocating New Long Term Care Beds in Nova Scotia,” earned him the Innovation Award for Excellence and Creativity in Supporting Quality Care across the Continuum. Kevin is always happy to share his passion for SAS with his colleagues and clients, and will be honoured at a special dinner at SAS Global Forum. Watch for our special profile on Kevin in the spring issue of insights!

If you have any thoughts or creative ideas around how we can continue to improve and grow our user support programs, please feel free to send me an e-mail at Wally.Thiessen@sas.com.
We look forward to seeing y’all in San Antonio!

Regards,
Wally Thiessen
Manager, Customer Value, SAS Canada