Original Publish Date: 21 March 2022 | Last Updated: 16 December 2025
Note: Updated December 2025 to reflect the latest containerised deployment options and the release of SAS Analytics Pro Advanced.
Let’s be honest: for a long time, installing enterprise analytics software felt a bit like moving a piano up a spiral staircase. It was heavy, required specific infrastructure, and once it was there, you didn’t want to move it.
But in 2025, that narrative is officially dead.
The new SAS Analytics Pro has shed the weight. It’s containerised, flexible, and surprisingly agnostic about where it lives. Whether you are a long-time SAS user or a Data Scientist living in Python libraries, it is time to take a second look.
Here is why the new SAS Analytics Pro is the modern puzzle piece your stack has been missing.
1. It Lives in a Container (And That Changes Everything)
Gone are the days of complex server binds and OS dependencies. SAS Analytics Pro now deploys via a Docker container.
- Why this matters: You can spin it up on a local desktop, a server, or in the cloud (AWS/Azure) in minutes, not days.
- The Selerity Angle: This aligns perfectly with our mission to “simplify complex data environments”. If you don’t want to manage the container yourself, Selerity offers SAS Analytics Pro as-a-service—a streamlined, fully hosted version where we handle the infrastructure, so you just handle the data.
2. It Plays Nice with Others (Python & VS Code)
The “SAS vs. Open Source” war is over. They called a truce, and the result is excellent. You can now write Python code directly within your SAS programs (using PROC PYTHON).
Even better? You aren’t forced to use a proprietary interface. With the SAS Extension for Visual Studio Code, your developers can work in the environment they already love.
3. The “Hidden” Value: Bundled ACCESS Engines
The modern SAS Analytics Pro simplifies procurement by bundling SAS/ACCESS engines as standard. Whether your data lives in Oracle, PC Files, ODBC sources, or the cloud (Snowflake, Redshift), the connectivity is usually included out of the box.
4. Which Version Do You Need? (Standard vs. Advanced)
With the introduction of SAS Analytics Pro Advanced, you now have two clear options.
- Standard: Perfect for data manipulation, visualisation, statistical analysis, and connecting to almost any data source.
- Advanced: Required if your work involves economic forecasting (SAS/ETS), operations research/optimisation (SAS/OR), quality control (SAS/QC), or matrix programming (SAS/IML).
| Feature | SAS 9.x (Legacy) | SAS Viya (Standard) | SAS Viya (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base SAS, STAT, GRAPH | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Python Integration | ✅ | ✅ | |
| VS Code Support | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Cloud Data Connectors | Add-on | ✅ (Included) | ✅ (Included) |
| Forecasting (SAS/ETS) | Add-on | ✅ | |
| Optimisation (SAS/OR) | Add-on | ✅ | |
| Quality Control (SAS/QC) | Add-on | ✅ | |
| Deployment | Windows Install | Docker Container | Docker Container |
Ready to Modernise Your Analytics?
You don’t have to navigate the container revolution alone. Selerity provides the “swiftness of movement” you need to get started immediately.
Choose your path:
- Licensing & Procurement: We can help you secure the right SAS Analytics Pro license (Standard or Advanced) for your needs.
- Turnkey Solution: Skip the installation entirely. Ask about SAS Analytics Pro as-a-service—our secure, cloud-hosted environment that gets you coding in minutes, not months.