SAS Advanced Analytics

What SAS Advanced Analytics is

SAS Advanced Analytics is SAS Viya, a data and AI platform for organizations that need to connect data, create and govern models, and put decisions into operation. It supports data mining, machine learning, statistical modeling, forecasting, time-series modeling, model evaluation, and automated machine learning through visual and code-based interfaces. Models can be deployed in batch or in real time, and the platform includes API access.

SAS Data and AI Studio supports data pipelines, ETL and ELT, analytics workflows, and SAS and Python code. It connects with services and data sources including Amazon S3, Google BigQuery, Azure Data Lake Storage, Snowflake, Oracle, MongoDB, and Apache Airflow. Governance features include data lineage and auditability, plus model management for transparency, bias detection, and compliance. SAS also describes explainability and fairness testing tools for AI models.

Viya is available through SAS-managed cloud services or self-managed deployments on cloud platforms. SAS lists Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud as supported environments, with availability dependent on the solution and deployment model. The paid product has a private-environment free trial; buyers can request pricing from SAS.

Who it suits

Viya suits organizations building and operating analytics and AI models, particularly those in regulated or risk-sensitive industries that need governance and compliance tools. It can also fit teams that need visual and code-based analytics, API access, or batch and real-time deployment.

Limits

There is no free plan. The trial is offered in a private trial environment; paid pricing is provided after contacting SAS.

Getting started

1. Visit the SAS Viya website.
2. Start a free trial in the private trial environment.
3. Choose a SAS-managed cloud service or self-managed cloud deployment.
4. Submit the SAS form to receive pricing information.
5. Use SAS documentation, online training, community forums, or direct technical support for help.

Verdict

Choose SAS Advanced Analytics if your organization needs broad analytics and model-management capabilities with governance tools and flexible deployment. Organizations seeking a free plan or an upfront listed price should look elsewhere.