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From drugs to data Founded in 1976, SAS Institute is the world's largest privately held software company. Its flagship product - SAS software - is an integrated system of information delivery used by business, government, and educational institutions. SAS is currently working on the ninth version of the software. The company's ubiquity is impressive: 98 of the country's top 100 public companies use SAS software to analyze various types of data. The U.S. Census Bureau uses it to keep track of data collection; Marriot Hotels use it to manage a frequent-visitor program, and major drugmakers like Merck and Pfizer use the software to develop new drugs. Currently, the company boasts that its operating systems have been installed in more than 33,000 sites, serving more than 3.5 million users. Consistent emphasis on research and development Throughout its history, the hallmark of the SAS Institute has been its consistent emphasis on research and development. The company typically plows over 30 percent of its revenues back into research and development - twice the industry average. This strategy has paid off; SAS has had nearly 20 consecutive years of double-digit growth. Between 1992 and 1997, sales doubled to $750 million, and the number of employees increased from 1,900 to 5,400. In 1999, the company reached $1 billion in revenue and plans on being a $2 billion company by 2003. Rumors run rampant that SAS will eventually have to go public, but that move seems unlikely for the time being. One main reason is due to the success of the R&D department; Wall Street might not look too favorably on high spending on R&D and would rather put that money into marketing. Programmers across the world SAS has also aggressively expanded into the international market. It opened its first foreign office in 1980 and now has representatives in more than 50 foreign countries. About half of SAS's revenues now come from overseas sales, with income from Europe and Asia growing by 20 percent each year. Teaming up to upgrade To better hone its information-based services, SAS has been pairing up with companies from cousin industries. Since 1996, SAS and computer group Hewlett-Packard have collaborated in developing data mining and data warehousing solutions. In 1998 SAS and IT consultancy American Management Systems agreed to provide information support systems in a global partnership. The next year, SAS and business information provider Dun & Bradstreet shook hands to jointly offer clients procurement software and services. While IBM remains SAS's biggest competitor, the two companies have joined forces to form a consulting practice after the success of their partnership in the International Competency Center in 1999. SAS Benefits Competition is stiff for career opportunities at SAS, mainly due to the on-site facilities available to its employees. Keeping its staff happy is credited as one of the company's secrets of its success. The employee turnover rate, at four percent, is well below the average for the industry at 20 percent, and people want to stay for a reason. At the world headquarters in Cary, NC, the swimming pool, fitness center, track, childcare facilities, medical facilities, counseling, and various other amenities encourages long-term careers and commitment while maintaining a high workload and work ethic. This strategy of keeping employees happy saves the company about $75 million per year, and for the past three years in a row, it has also put SAS on Fortune magazine's top ten list of the 100 best companies to work for in the U.S. Moving into the Millenium SAS currently has 50 products, all devoted to data warehousing and data mining, on the market, many devoted to niche markets, such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and now E-commerce. In February 2000, SAS came out with its first E-commerce data analyzer, consisting of E-Discovery, WebHound, and IT Service Vision. This suite includes a clickstream data analysis tool and technology that analyzes E-commerce data. Other new technology in 2000 uses Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) to allow customers to access information in the SAS Intelligent Warehouse from wireless applications, such as cell phones or Palm Pilots. With all these new products and increased competition from ERP companies, SAS finally broke down and hired its first advertising agency in its 24-year history. Howard, Merrell & Partners of Raleigh, NC will launch a campaign to familiarize the SAS brand name to business people all over the world, as well as dispel its understated corporate image.
SAS posts its current openings on its employment web site, www.sas.com/jobs/intro.html. Under each opening, there are email, phone, and addresses listed for application submission. While SAS's emphasis on research and development requires a continuous supply of technically proficient workers, the company also has opportunities in sales, marketing, and finance. When applying, be sure to include the job posting number indicated on the web page. Most new employees start at the company's North Carolina headquarters, though some begin at one of the company's regional offices. SAS provides many consultants with a 10-week training course in the technology and software issues crucial to its business. Current employees report that SAS's low turnover rate and reputation for treating employees well has led to "stiff" competition in the hiring process.
Relaxed and serene SAS headquarters, located in serene Cary, North Carolina, houses an employee-friendly corporate culture you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else - much less at another high-tech firm. Employees describe a "relaxed," "casual" corporate atmosphere where they are encouraged to use their "creative problem-solving skills." It's a company with "an ingrained sense of accountability." Live music at lunch So how does a company with merely "competitive" salaries and "no stock options" (it's privately held) manage to boast a 1998 turnover rate of 3.7 percent? It's the benefits, baby. SAS makes up for cold, hard cash with quality-of-life. There is an on-site health clinic, and the company pays the entire cost of health benefits - for employees and their domestic partners, regardless of sexual orientation. Family rules Insiders note that the company puts a "premium on families" and that there are even "numerous husband-and-wife teams working at SAS." According to Fast Company Magazine, the firm "has the largest on-site daycare operation in North Carolina." The service is so desirable that employees must put in one year with the company to qualify for it. The company cafeteria boasts live music, and if you forget your wallet they'll deduct your tab directly from your paycheck. If you're lunching with the family, there are high chairs and booster seats for the young ones. Did we mention the unlimited beverages? What's more, Wednesday at SAS is M&M day - hundreds of pounds of the sweet treats - both peanut and plain - are delivered to each floor of each building on campus. SAS will wash your socks Health conscious programmers enjoy a 36,000 square foot company gym - offering a variety of classes, separate male and female workout rooms, an area for yoga, and two full-length basketball courts. Outside are fields for softball and soccer. A masseuse comes in several times a week, and insiders can discuss their workouts with the company's wellness coordinator. Heck, the company even washes your gym clothes for you! Workin' 9 to 5, really In the age of the 50-hour workweek, SAS is an atypical firm. Officially, workers are required to work a seven-hour day, and the gates to the SAS Campus actually close at 6pm. Moreover, employees get unlimited sick days, which may be used to care for sick family members. Surprisingly, few insiders are tempted to take advantage of this benefit. In an interview with Fast Company, David Russo, head of HR at SAS, explains: "If you're out for six months, you'll get cards and flowers, and people will come to cook dinner for you. If you're out sick for six Mondays in a row, you'll get fired. We expect adult behavior." Flat on top Insiders say they like the "flat corporate heirarchy" at SAS, and remark that the company is refreshingly free of "micro-management." Communication is good because managers work "right there in the trenches" with the rest of their teams. "At my last job," notes a programmer, "my manager was just making sure that everything got done. Here, we all do that." Be true, be happy Skeptics have described SAS as a corporation with a "sophisticated plantation mentality" and there are childless employees who complain that "it's hard to eat lunch without stepping on a Rug Rat." But overall, employees are extremely happy - and loyal. The company's "industry-wide prestige" makes its employees "intensely desirable" to the company's rivals, but very few of them leave. As one source explains, "It's better to be happy than to have a little more money."
Human Resources
Software systems; Information systems advising; Technology consulting
Computer Associates;Microsoft;Oracle;SAP More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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