https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/scfindex.htm
Scroll down to: _Survey Data And Replicate Weight Files_ subheading
Whose else thinks SAS is going to be around for a while?
13 replies (most recent on top)
This thread is more (mostly anecdotal) evidence that SAS needs to transform into an AI-driven enterprise software company, delarting from being a classical Analytics tools vendor.
Maybe a bit off topic...
I think that there is a public (non-SAS) Python package that creates SAS data sets. It was made by reverse engineering. Would be funny if someone at the Fed used Python to make the datasets. :)
And you know this how?
Correction:
Those at the Fed who are consuming the Fed data are using SAS less and less as time marches on. Any SAS instructor who has taught at the Fed will tell you that SAS classes at the Fed declined over time and student questions(during those SAS classes) increased over time. Student questions about SAS alternatives such as R increased over time.
"This is meaningless. SAS is one of a few options."
Good point. SAS being one of a few options means less impact if SAS suddenly ceases being one of a few options for data consumption at the Fed(as well as other entities who also use Fed data). Those at the Fed who are consuming the Fed data are using SAS less and less as time marches on. Any SAS instructor who has taught at the Fed will tell you that SAS classes at the Fed declined over time and student questions(during those SAS classes) increased over time. That in itself, sad to say, does not paint a bright future for SAS.
LOL ... This is meaningless. SAS is one of a few options. BFD. Pulling data from Fed databases and making that available on a website is basic functionality of any tool in this space. In fact, most modern tools can do this without code.
Don't fool yourself. Step away from the koolaid bowl and get some perspective by looking at what other tools can do. If you are in the field, get experience using the other tools so you can jump to a new job WHEN the IPO gets "delayed" again.
"Without v9 site revenue, would SAS even be a $1B company?"
No. Unless SAS chooses to attribute SAS9 revenue at a site to Viya thus making Viya look good. I suspect revenue attribution may be changing but in the past revenue was often attributed to the product they needed to be successful or, where the sales and pre sale teams could make the most commission.
Since SAS's failed lawsuit against WPS, the Fed could probably relatively easily migrate to this and stop paying SAS the many millions they currently do.
https://altair.com/sas-language-capabilities?utm_source=worldprogramming.com&utm_medium=redirect
I think anyone who can't see that SAS is extremely vulnerable at this point, has their head in the sand.
Anyone know if SAS training at the Fed has tapered off? Fed used to have SAS provide alot of training. High training usually correlates well with high usage. Less Sas training=less SAS usage.
The bigger picture problem is that there are two types of SAS sites. V9 and Viya and very limited compatibility between the two. There are way more V9 sites who do not want to migrate to Viya versus those who want to migrate to Viya. Migration to Viya is a huge thorn for SAS the company with regards to legacy v9 sites. Has this problem aro--ed commensurate urgency from SAS Institute? Without v9 site revenue, would SAS even be a $1B company?
"Awhile" is likely more accurate than a "long time".
Nobody is saying SAS isn't embedded in places. It absolutely is. The problem SAS is facing is lack of usage growth at the embedded sites and the lack of new logos where it becomes embedded.
If you aggregate all federal SAS licenses, it was and probably is the largest SAS customer in the world. It will no doubt live at the federal level of government for quite "a while" or a "long time".
SAS data still used at the Federal Reserve:
"Peppermint PATTY... Classic!"
The R conversion of the Federal Reserve data, listed below the SAS data:
"...I don't really like Peppermint Patties, actually..."
The taste of a new generation?
(See video in the "SAS Product Development" thread)
“A while” does not necessarily equal “a long time”. However the fact that “old school” SAS is still entrenched enough to be a primary data source for raw Fed statistics in 2023 says something about it stickiness.
What exactly in the section you cited leads you to believe SAS will be around a long time?