Microsoft

SAS and Microsoft are working together on a variety of joint marketing and development programs. Combining the value of Microsoft with SAS solutions leverages the strengths of both companies, and represents a valuable opportunity for our customers.

SAS, the world's largest privately held company, is the market leader in business intelligence solutions. Microsoft, the world's largest public software company, provides a comprehensive set of infrastructure and development tools for businesses. Together, SAS and Microsoft can provide a complete, integrated answer to any business need.

Partner Overview
Microsoft Windows is SAS' largest installed-based and fastest growing platform. To that end, SAS makes every effort to ensure that our solutions are fully optimized for the Windows platforms. For example, the SAS System is now "Certified for Windows 2000 Datacenter Server" and "Certified for Windows 2000 Advanced Server." SAS is also a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.

SAS has been working closely with Microsoft to optimize SAS for the Windows family of operating systems. The SAS portfolio of solutions is available on a wide range of Windows operating systems including WindowsXP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional Server, Advanced Server and Datacenter Server, and Windows NT version 4.0. For the past several years, SAS has also been working with Microsoft to optimize the SAS System for 64-bit windows systems. In fact, SAS was one of the first independent software vendors (ISVs) to demonstrate its solution on early versions of the operating system.

SAS is also working with Microsoft on a variety of other projects, including:

• Support for Microsoft.NET and Web services: SAS currently supports Microsoft.NET via support for XML and COM. In Version 9, SAS will be extending that support to include Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Web Services Description Language (WSDL) and Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI). The Microsoft Alliance team at SAS is also working with various Microsoft groups to identify other integration opportunities relating to .NET.
• XML for Analysis: SAS increased its involvement in the XML for Analysis Committee by accepting co-chair responsibilities in order to drive data mining standards. SAS has also joined the Web Services Interoperability Organization (WS-I) to help develop Web service testing/compatibility standards.
• SharePoint and SQL Server: Integration of Microsoft's SharePoint Portal Server and SQL Server through Web parts and other demonstrations.