SAS Boosts Java, ActiveX Support, Version 7.0 Expected to Ship by Year's End
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SAS Institute plans to develop thin-client interfaces to the next version of its decision-support system that will be based on Java and ActiveX components, company officials said. Version 7.0 of the base SAS System, which is expected to ship later this year, will include thin-client interfaces to SAS applications such as the new Enterprise Reporter reporting tool. Users will be able to access applications via a browser and a corresponding URL.

Other SAS products that could be fitted with Java and ActiveX interfaces include the multidimensional, online analytical processing database server, and the Enterprise Miner data-mining tool, officials said. SAS' current Internet strategy features SAS IntraNet for building and deploying Internet-based SAS decision-support applications without CGI programming. The product also provides Java tools for building thin-client interfaces to SAS.

But SAS' plan to develop its own Java and ActiveX interfaces for its applications may obviate the need for IntrNet, according to SAS. SAS users would keep the functionality of SAS products, but simply connect to them via thin clients, officials said.

A major goal of SAS, Version 7.0, is to improve Web-enabling of SAS applications. The base SAS system provides functions such as a programming language and procedures for analysis, management, and printing. It acts as a mechanism for setting up data for analysis. Auxiliary products, such as Enterprise Reporter, function with the base system.

SAS officials said last week the company is shipping a beta version of Enterprise Reporter, a solution that enables nontechnical users to create formatted reports from data warehouses and decision-support systems and distribute results via the Internet or other media.

The Windows-based product is priced at $299 per user for the first 50 users, decreasing to $99 per user for 1,000 or more users.

SAS Institute Inc., in Cary, N.C., is at http://www.sas.com.