Date:         Wed, 5 Aug 1998 23:08:05 -0500
Reply-To:     Fanchon Finucane <fanchonf@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU>
From:         Fanchon Finucane <fanchonf@IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject:      Fwd: SAS in RDBMS environment

Hello SAS-L Community,
 
I have programmed in SAS for several years but just in an MVS or CMS
mainframe environment using in-house flat files.  I am evaluating a job
opportunity at a company that stores its customer data in Sybase.  The
company presently knows very little about their customers, why
customers use the service the company provides, why customers may
cancel the service, etc.  Currently, the company solely uses SQL
queries and Excel to assist in its decision-making (e.g., marketing
strategies and evaluating advertising effectiveness); it does not have
a SAS license.
 
My questions: when do you use SQL/Excel vs SAS? When does SQL
querying/Excel become cumbersome in an RDBMS environment and that a
stats tool like SAS is more efficient to use (besides model building)?
Also, what do I need to consider when trying to justify bringing SAS or
other stat software into the company?
 
Thank you in advance for any insights you may be able to provide to me.
 
Fanchon Finucane