In the Know, Issue 14 April

   CORPORATE NEWS
   CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT
   TECHNOLOGY & SOLUTIONS
  Support & Services
  HINTS & TIPS
EVENTS

In this issue we bring you news of two new SAS^® software releases: SAS^® Enterprise ETL Server that enables organisations to shorten 'time to intelligence', and SAS^® Web Report Studio that enhances the already strong report building and delivery capabilities in SAS^®9 through improved ease of use and new functionality.

Plus, find out how you can claim a stylish MP3 player, packed with SAS hints and tips and learning tools, just by booking and attending a public SAS course.

CORPORATE NEWS

SAS Strengthens Assault on BI Market with Enhanced Offering
SAS has announced it is shipping a newly enhanced version of the SAS^® Enterprise BI Server, a major component of the SAS^®9 Intelligence Platform, to users worldwide. SAS provides the industry's most comprehensive offering, complete with easy point-and-click reports, while at the same time delivering more breadth and depth than conventional BI vendors such as Business Objects and Cognos.

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

SAS^® Certification Drives Productivity and Job Satisfaction at UK Motoring and Travel Organisation, the AA
The AA sharpens its customer insight skills with the SAS Certified Professional Program. "The good thing about SAS Certification is that it tests not only your ability to get the answer to a question right, but also your ability to write very efficient code and follow the logic. As a result, we're seeing massive productivity gains from even highly-experienced SAS analysts", said Graeme McDermott, head of customer insight, the AA.

TECHNOLOGY & SOLUTIONS

ETL Gets Even Smarter
The latest version of SAS^® Enterprise ETL Server is rewriting the book on developer productivity and performance, getting vital information back into the organisation's business intelligence mix faster than ever.

Revolutionary Reporting
High quality user interfaces in SAS^®9, delivered with SAS^® Enterprise BI Server, represented a major advance in how businesses could access the power of SAS - but that was just the beginning. With the release of SAS Web Report Studio 2.1, the revolution in reporting continues.

SUPPORT & SERVICES

Discovering OpRisk Management - An e-Learning Programme from SAS that Offers you Company-wide Insight
Feedback from the industry has shown that lack of staff awareness is the main weakness in operational risk initiatives. The first of its kind, 'Discovering OpRisk Management' was developed with a steering committee drawn from the financial services industry; including representatives from investment banking, insurance and retail banking. Armed with the improved awareness the course brings; employees, at all levels, can proactively participate and effectively contribute to Operational Risk Management within their organisations.

Take Home a Fantastic MP3 Player When You Book and Attend a Public SAS Course before 1 July 2005
Learn on the move, in the office - or just take time to relax with our stylish, SAS branded MP3 player. The player comes packed with SAS hints and tips, learning tools, and the hilarious 'Know You Can' SAS audio comedy. To claim your MP3 player, simply book and attend a public SAS course before the 1 July.

SAS Education Reaches Finals of 'IT Training Company of the Year' Award
The 'IT Training Company of the Year' award for 2005 was announced by the Institute of Information Technology Training (IITT) in February and SAS Education featured in the short-list of six finalists. "It's a fantastic achievement to be in the top six IT Training companies in the UK," said Nick Houlton, Head of Education, SAS UK.

HINTS & TIPS

How Do I Capitalize the First Letter of a Word and Lowercase all the Other Letters in a Word?
(Written by Ifor Lewis, HFC Bank Ltd)
By using Macros and the SAS datastep functions UPCASE, LOWCASE and SUBSTR find out how you can convert your text strings to proper case making your text more readable.

How Can I Change the Default Action When I Double Click on a SAS File in Windows Explorer?
There are a host of shortcut keys that can be used to make your life easier within SAS. Find out about this one and more.

Share Your Thoughts & Receive a SAS Fleece!
Are there areas that you would like to see covered in Hints & Tips or do you have a hint & tip of your own that you would like to share with other readers? Please contact us with your ideas and if we publish your hint & tip, we will send you a SAS fleece!

EVENTS

Focus on SAS^® Enterprise BI Server - On-Demand Web Seminar
With its easy implementation and deployment, SAS Enterprise BI Server delivers intuitive interfaces that enable diverse users throughout your enterprise to make better, fact-based decisions - and get better results. View this on-demand Web seminar and discover how Web-based query and reporting capabilities in SAS Enterprise BI Server's Web Report Studio can help you save both time and money

The 7th Fraud Detection & Prevention Leadership Forum - London, 26 May
At SAS we believe that to win the war against financial crime, you have to take the fight to the criminal. The Fraud Detection and Prevention Leadership Forums are unique opportunities to discover how to maximise the effectiveness of your anti-fraud measures. The forum will be chaired by Nicholas Owen, broadcaster and journalist, and SAS' commitment to obtaining world-class speakers continues with a superb range of eight presenters who will be sharing their insights and experience of financial crime across a range of sectors. Register online today.

SAS Forum International 2005 - Lisbon, 21-23 June
At SAS Forum International you will find stimulating and informative presentations together with the opportunity to discuss and share ideas with other IT experts and business professionals from every industry. The forum takes place over three days with Executive, Business and IT focused agendas. In 'SAS Technology Expertise' on the 23 June, SAS technology experts and industry IT leaders will share their knowledge of business intelligence and advanced analytics, and describe their implementations of SAS software. It's your opportunity to find out what's new, what's hot, and what's coming next. Register online today.

More SAS UK Events

DID YOU KNOW?

SAS UK is Hosting a Special Olympics Sports Fun Day
On the 23 April, SAS will host a sports fun day for Special Olympics at SAS UK headquarters in Marlow. As well as being a fun day for everyone involved, the aim of the day is to raise awareness of the abilities of people with a learning disability, and highlight the benefits of the Special Olympics programme. Activities will include the arrival of the Flame of Hope (part of the 2005 Law Enforcement Torch Run) via the River Thames, escorted by Shaun Baker, the world's foremost extreme kayaking champion. The day will also include a 'come and try' sports techniques programme open to anyone with learning disabilities. Please contact Julia Higginson on 01628 490399 if you would like to attend or read more about Special Olympics online.