The redefining moments in SAS history at a glance
SAS History
Discover how SAS has consistently pushed boundaries and redefined what's possible in the world of analytics, from our start in academia to becoming a global analytics leader
In the late 1960s, eight Southern universities came together to develop a general purpose statistical software package to analyze agricultural data. NC State had always been a leader in developing code for analyzing agricultural data. It was a natural fit to house the project at the university’s Cox Hall because the mainframe there could process enormous amounts of data.
The resulting program – the Statistical Analysis System – gave SAS both the basis for its name and its corporate beginnings.
Since then, SAS has grown to become one of the largest privately held software companies in the world.
Preparing for launch
Beta release of the Statistical Analysis System.
1971
Open for business
Company incorporated as SAS Institute Inc. and opens in July with four employees. Base SAS® software, consisting of about 300,000 lines of code, is released as the company’s first product.
User conference debuts
First SAS conference, SAS.ONE, takes place in Kissimmee, FL. Renamed SAS Users Group International (SUGI) in 1977, then SAS Global Forum in 2007, more than 5,000 people attend every year.
1976
HQ on the move
The company quickly outgrew its space on Hillsborough Street across from NC State and relocated to Cary, NC, where global headquarters grew to encompass more than 300 acres.
1980
Culture takes shape
SAS reaches the 100-employee milestone and opens its first on-site childcare center.
1981
Going global
The first European subsidiary of SAS opens in the United Kingdom, beginning a global expansion that would reach more than 400 offices around the world.
1985
A focus on health and wellness
SAS opens the Recreation and Fitness Center and Health Care Center in Cary. Approximately 28 acres are dedicated to the physical fitness of employees — plus abundant jogging trails.
1986
Overcoming language barriers
Entire SAS system is rewritten in the C programming language, replacing IBM-only PL/1 language.
1987
JMPing for joy
JMP® is released as the first packaged statistical program for the Mac.
1989
Education at forefront
The Educational Technologies Division is formed to develop high-quality educational software for secondary schools. This evolved into Curriculum Pathways and continued SAS efforts to advance digital literacy in schools.
An educational vision emerges
Cary Academy opens. A vision of the Goodnight and Sall families, the school integrates technology into middle and high school curricula and boasts 100% advancement to college for attendees.
1997
Fortune smiles on us
SAS is named on Fortune magazine’s inaugural list of the Best Companies to Work For in the US.
1998
A silver anniversary milestone
SAS celebrates 25 years in business and commemorates with a new logo and tagline. The Power to Know® was the first step in increasing SAS’ visibility and global recognition.
2001
Accolades roll in
SAS Marketing Automation and SAS Text Miner are named products of the year by readers of Datamation magazine.
2003
Breaking down educational barriers
SAS establishes the Triangle High Five Math Collaborative, partnering with five NC public school districts. The goal: Address disparities in mathematics achievement related to race and income.
2009
Great Places to Work
In 1999, SAS Australia was the first SAS office outside the US to be recognized as a Great Place to Work. Over time, SAS offices in the UK, Mexico, Portugal, Finland, China, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Sweden joined the coveted list.
A toast to No. 1
SAS ranks No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s Best Companies to Work For in the US list – and repeats its top ranking in 2011. SAS United States has been named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For every year since 1998.
2010
Sustainability for the win
SAS Building C is awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Platinum certification. Building A earned LEED Gold certification in 2019.
2011
Best multinational workplace
SAS ranks No. 1 on the World’s Best Multinational Workplace list.
2012
VA @ the UN
Jim Goodnight demos SAS Visual Analytics at the United Nations.
2013
For teachers + learners
SAS launches SAS Analytics U, a broad higher education initiative that includes free SAS software, university partnerships and engaging user communities that support the next generation of SAS users.
2014
Validation: Four decades in business
SAS celebrates 40 years of innovation and creativity. SAS is ranked the No. 1 most valuable career skill in a Money magazine and Payscale analysis of 54 million employee profiles across 350 industries.
2016
Free downloads climb
Free SAS downloads and registration for teaching and learning analytics reach 1.45 million. Curriculum Pathways® reaches nearly 3.5 million users.
Diversity and inclusion
Jim Goodnight joins 500 other CEOs of leading companies to pledge and advocate for change and the advancement of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Great Place to Work for Millennials
Fortune announces SAS ranks No. 2 on its Best Workplaces for Millennials list. For SAS, the ability to attract and retain employees is a cornerstone of the company’s long-standing success.
People Magazine: Companies That Care
People magazine names SAS in the top five of its first annual “50 Companies That Care” list. SAS also made the list the next year.
2017
Solar farm in the spotlight
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signs an executive order for a clean energy economy in North Carolina, and support for the Paris Agreement, at the SAS solar farm.
2018
Supporting our communities
SAS donates more than $222 million to nonprofits globally. This includes $221 million of in-kind training, software, hardware, services, volunteer time, and surplus equipment and furniture.
Education and training are tops
Downloads and registrations of the no-cost registrations of free SAS software for academics topped 2 million.
2019
Leadership honors
Jim Goodnight receives the CEO Great Place to Work For All Leadership Award for his long-term dedication and commitment to employee development by providing a world-class, innovative workplace culture along with motivating and challenging work.
Accolades abound
SAS receives 13 global workplace and leadership awards, including Great Place to Work, Top Employer and America’s Best Employer for Diversity.
Supporting the future
SAS prioritizes sustainability and social innovation by committing to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Empowering life-saving decisions
As the COVID-19 outbreak spreads, hospitals and government agencies around the world use SAS to predict impact, optimize critical resources, forecast economic outcomes and improve situational awareness.
2020
Charting a path to IPO readiness
SAS announces its intention to be ready for an initial public offering (IPO) by 2024. This next chapter helps ensure the brightest possible future for our employees, customers, partners and communities.
2021
Innovating responsibly
Formalizing a longstanding commitment to ensure that AI is ethical, equitable and sustainable, SAS launched a responsible innovation initiative, guided by the SAS Data Ethics Practice.