New SAS division focuses on IoT analytics

The business opportunities inherent to the data streaming from billions of connected devices around the world are the reason that analytics company SAS (News - Alert) has created a new global division devoted to the Internet of Things (IoT), according to a recent announcement.

Companies applying SAS analytics to IoT challenges include GE Transportation, Lockheed Martin (News - Alert) and Octo Telematics. The IoT division will offer strategic industry expertise in manufacturing, energy and utilities, government, retail, insurance and health care.

Jason Mann, 14-year SAS veteran, will lead the new division as Vice President of IoT. Mann previously was the director of product management for industry solutions and IoT. The IoT Division reports directly to SAS COO/CTO Oliver Schabenberger.

“The potential for IoT analytics is tremendous, as hinted at by our 2017 IoT revenue growth of 60 percent,” said Mann. “The new SAS IoT division brings together R&D, marketing, product management, enablement, and channel sales. Its goal is to continue to develop, deliver and support powerful IoT Analytics software that covers the entire analytics lifecycle – batch, streaming and edge – all designed to help customers create value from their IoT investments.”

Companies use IoT analytics in myriad ways including:

• Manufacturing – Manufacturers use IoT analytics to improve uptime on the factory floor, enhance product quality, and track raw materials and finished goods as they move through the operation.
• Smart Cities – IoT analytics help connected cities improve traffic flow on congested streets, and guide citizens whether they’re parking a car, looking for a government office, or paying their water bill.
• Retail – Retailers customize interactions with connected consumers and improve inventory transparency using IoT analytics.
• Health Care – Connected health care devices deliver customized care plans to patients, track medication use, and automate communication between patient and physician.

The SAS IoT division will develop new partnerships and expand existing ones to bring together best-in-class technology and expertise. The central technology for the new IoT division is SAS Event Stream Processing, software that analyzes high-velocity data while it’s still moving, so action can be taken immediately. SAS Event Stream Processing is scalable, embeddable and distributable. Forrester (News - Alert) pointed to SAS Event Stream Processing as a Leader in its report, The Forrester Wave: Streaming Analytics, Q3 2017.