SAS Canada Sees Market Growth, Adds New Positions

Business Analytics leader celebrates four consecutive years of double digit growth and prepares for continued market opportunity

TORONTO , Jan. 21 /CNW/ - SAS Canada , the leader in business analytics, today announced a 13 per cent increase in 2009 software revenue over the previous year and global revenue of US$2.31 billion in 2009, up 2.2 percent over 2008 results. These results have enabled SAS to maintain thirty-four consecutive years of growth and profitability. In response to this growth, SAS Canada also announced that it is adding approximately 20 new positions. This will increase its employee base by seven per cent, with particular focus on growing its sales force in 2010 in order to meet the continuing demands for its solutions.

"Our commitment to customer satisfaction and leading-edge technology has resulted in a dramatic increase in new clients and helped propel our year-over-year growth," said Carl Farrell , President SAS Canada . "While some companies are reducing their workforce, SAS Canada is looking for qualified professionals to join our team; continued proof that business analytics has strong growth potential."

SAS remains the overwhelming leader in the advanced analytics market, according to IDC, with 33.2 per cent market share in 2008 (IDC, June 2009). According to Gartner, the number one spending priority in 2009 was Business Intelligence software; a technology founded on analytics. Additionally, Gartner recently listed advanced analytics as one of the top 10 strategic technologies for organizations in 2010.

"We are investing in specific industry and geographical needs across the country as more companies realize the benefits of using business analytics to solve their business challenges," said Mario Ianniciello, Vice President Sales , SAS Canada . "Businesses don't just buy technology anymore; they buy technology to solve a particular business problem and gain strategic insight in order to make the right decisions at the right time. SAS analytical technology offers this solutions-based approach."

SAS is currently seeking qualified individuals to join its team, specifically in the areas of retail, banking, public sector and utilities. The hiring focus will be on Toronto , which will account for 33 per cent of total hires, Calgary and Winnipeg , sharing 33 per cent of total hires, as well as Ottawa , Montreal , Quebec City and the Maritimes which will account for the remaining 34 per cent of total hires. SAS will also look to build its professional services team in Edmonton in 2010 to accommodate its growing customer base in this region. Individuals interested should visit the SAS Canada careers page for a list of open positions.

SAS Canada has been named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for eight consecutive years. SAS Canada is also known for its environmentally friendly headquarters which was certified as LEED Silver in 2008. The Toronto headquarters continues to generate public recognition for its leadership in corporate sustainability practices. On April 23 , SAS Canada was honored as the runner up for the 2009 Green Toronto Award for energy conservation. The headquarters was also the winner of the Real Estate Excellence Award (REX) for Office Development of the Year in 2005.

About SAS

SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. Through innovative solutions delivered within an integrated framework, SAS helps customers at more than 45,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world The Power to Know(R)

The Canadian subsidiary of SAS has been in operation for 21 years. Headquartered in Toronto , SAS employs 254 people across the country at its Vancouver , Calgary , Edmonton , Toronto , Ottawa , Quebec City and Montréal offices. www.sas.com

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. (R) indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright (C) 2009 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

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For further information: Editorial Contact: Suzanne Sprajcar, [email protected], [phone], Visit the SAS Press Center www.sas.com/presscenter