July marks the 40^th anniversary of one of the Triangle’s most influential companies, SAS Institute Inc. The analytics company began in 1976 analyzing data for agricultural research at NC State. Forty years later the company is the world’s largest privately held software business.

July also marks the 40^th consecutive year of revenue growth for SAS, posting $3.16 billion in total operating revenue up 2.3 percent in US dollars over 2014 according to the company. SAS also says software sales increased 8 percent in US dollars.

“For 40 years, SAS has been helping customers change the world with analytics,” said SAS CEO Jim Goodnight in a statement. “As the leader in analytics, we continue to be the company people turn to for unrivaled expertise and solutions when it matters most.”

The company credits growing customer demand for risk, fraud and security intelligence analytics. Growing with the times, SAS says it is strengthening its offerings in the cloud, mobile and IoT spaces. SAS Cloud Analytics is now used by customers in more than 70 countries.

SAS is also well known for helping customers make a difference in people’s lives. Among those projects, working with the CDC, researching mental health with the Black Dog Institute and helping the International Organization for Migration identify high-risk shelters, and better allocate resources to put roofs over the heads of thousands of Nepali earthquake victims.

The company says in addition to software growth, SAS will expand operations next year. The company will add sales staff and create new customer contact centers in Dublin and the Asia Pacific region. In the US, SAS will open a new office in Detroit to support growth in auto manufacturing. The company will also break ground on a new office tower at SAS world headquarters in Cary.

Perhaps the most well-known aspects of SAS are the benefits of being a part of the company. Fortune recently ranked SAS Institute the 8^th best company to work for in the U.S. Among the perks at SAS, an onsite health care center and pharmacy, a campus recreation center, cafeterias with wide-ranging food options and on-site childcare. And with all of these perks, many of SAS’s employees stick around. According to Great Place to Work, more than 45% of SAS employees have been with the company for more than 10 years. Great Place to Work has also ranked SAS among the top 10 workplaces for Baby Boomers & Technology, 12^th for Diversity and 88^th for women. SAS has also been ranked among the best places to work in parts of Europe and India.

“SAS’ culture is more than great benefits and programs. Everyone wants to understand the relevance of what they do and feel they’re making a difference. When people feel truly cared for, they are more loyal and give their best work. That’s what’s made SAS a great workplace for 40 years and counting,” said Jenn Mann, SAS Executive Vice President and Chief of Human Resources in a statement.

In July, a group of Wake County teachers visited SAS as part of the SummerSTEM program. With the help of Wake Ed Partnership, the Wake County Public School System is taking advantage of that proximity by taking teachers on field trips to companies like SAS. CBS North Carolina’s Carleigh Griffeth joined the teachers for part of their workshop. You can find that story here.

In October SAS will host Envision Carolina. There, some North Carolina towns will learn what it takes to join the ranks of smart cities and how to improve the lives of citizens through technology. Envision Carolina will also help select localities explore, plan and launch new smart cities initiatives. The event is co-hosted by analytics leader SAS, the Triangle J Council of Governments (TJCOG) and the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster (RTCC).

“Envision Carolina will inspire cities and counties to be more innovative in solving problems and providing excellent service to citizens,” said Paula Henderson, Vice President of the State and Local Government Practice at SAS in a statement. “By teaming up technology, utilities and other companies with forward-thinking governments, we can make this area a center of smart cities innovation.”

Following the October event is a one-day Envision Carolina workshop in November. Select cities and counties will explore a smart city initiative for their jurisdiction. Technology leaders such as SAS, OSISoft, Itron and other smart cities partners will help attendees explore and plan ideas, so they can return home ready to launch a smart city project. Any city or county can apply; up to nine will be chosen for the workshop. You can learn more here.