ANNOUNCING THE SAS E-INTELLIGENCE CENTER

SAS Institute, a market leader in integrated data warehousing, decision support and information delivery announced the formation of the SAS eIntelligence Center in Silicon Valley.

The center was announced this week during the 25th annual SAS Users Group International (SUGI) conference in Indianapolis. Located in its San Jose, CA office, the SAS e-Intelligence Center will open later this month and will focus on bringing SAS knowledge in data management and analytical abilities to dot-com and start-up companies, and to all companies involved in e-commerce.

According to Randy Betancourt, SAS e-Intelligence Center director, "This nationally-driven center gives SAS an opportunity to have direct contact with leading-edge companies working in the world of e-business. We will be working with customers, partners (ASPs and ISPs) and technology vendors to link all SAS processes to this new economy. The e-Intelligence Center also shows a commitment to ensuring our customers' success by adding more corporate resources in the heart of Silicon Valley."

Industry observers say the center illustrates SAS' ability to quickly adapt new business models and technology solutions to meet changing customer requirements in the new e-economy. "It's an incubation setting that will get companies up and running quickly and more affordably, said Philip Russom, Hurwitz Group analyst. "The e-Intelligence center is a 'rapid-response proving ground' where SAS and its partners can assess technologies, analyze market trends, develop market and customer requirements, disseminate best practices, and promote innovation in general. This ecosystem created around eIntelligence will provide SAS partners with rapid prototyping and a phased approach to implementation."

"SAS is well known for its commitment to R&D, nearly double the industry average," added Betancourt. "For everyone involved in the e-economy, this center serves as the voice of the marketplace and creates a formal process for companies in need of solutions based on emerging technologies to have a direct link with SAS software development and consulting resources, and with rapid results."

In addition to on-site staff, and hardware and software, the SAS eIntelligence Center will be linked to virtual team members, as required, from across SAS Institute consulting and development divisions. Partner organizations will also have staff closely linked to the activities of the Center. Specifically, the SAS e-Intelligence Center will focus on e-commerce by: developing new revenue channels to augment existing direct sales channels; exploring new business opportunities to join with technology partners and customers; continuing research and review of market requirements, business models and technology; and formalizing new channel links from development through marketing through consulting through national solution teams. The center will also feature a Best Practices Showcase.

About SAS Institute

SAS Institute, the world's largest privately held software company, is a leader in decision support and data warehousing, providing integrated enterprise information-delivery and e-business solutions. Founded in 1976, the Institute markets packaged business solutions for vertical industry and departmental applications, as well as an integrated suite of software tools and consulting services. These allow companies to transform the wide variety of data within their organizations into information that business users and researchers need to make better decisions. SAS software and services are used at more than 33,000 business, government, and university sites in over 115 countries. SAS Institute's 1999 revenues exceeded $1 billion.Please visit SAS Institute's Website: www.sas.com.

Contact SAS Institute Inc, Cary or Wally Maczka 919-677-8000 ext.5350 Wally.Maczka@sas.com.