Why Upgrade from SAS 9.4 to SAS Viya 4? A Deep Dive into Modernization

The world of data analytics is advancing rapidly, and organizations must keep pace to stay relevant. One significant shift for those in analytics is moving from SAS 9.4 to SAS Viya 4. SAS Viya 4 is not just an update; it’s a leap forward in performance, scalability, and the use of modern technologies. This guide explores why transitioning to SAS Viya 4 is essential for businesses focused on staying competitive and harnessing advanced analytics capabilities.

1. Built for the Cloud: Enhanced Scalability and Flexibility

One of the most significant differences between SAS 9.4 and SAS Viya 4 is the latter’s cloud-native architecture. SAS Viya 4 is designed specifically to leverage cloud environments, such as AWS, Azure, and Redhat OpenShift, making it far more adaptable than its predecessor, which mainly operates on-premises. The cloud-native approach allows for:

Elastic scalability: Seamlessly adjust resources as business demands fluctuate.
Cost-effectiveness: Reduce infrastructure and maintenance costs by utilizing cloud platforms.
Improved reliability: Cloud platforms offer built-in redundancy, leading to improved uptime and disaster recovery capabilities.

2. Seamless Open-Source Integration

While SAS 9.4 operates within a more controlled ecosystem, SAS Viya 4 opens the door to the open-source community, integrating with technologies like Python, R, and Hadoop. This enables organizations to merge SAS’s robust analytics capabilities with widely used open-source tools, making it easier for data scientists and engineers to collaborate. The integration provides:

Maximized talent utilization: Use the skills of team members familiar with open-source languages and combine them with SAS’s strengths.
Freedom in technology: Choose the best tools for the job, blending SAS with open-source for custom solutions.

3. Boosted Performance and Faster Analytics

For organizations relying on real-time data-driven insights, speed is a top priority. SAS Viya 4 delivers major improvements in processing power over SAS 9.4, thanks to several advanced features:

Parallel processing: Perform multiple operations simultaneously, speeding up complex tasks and large data analyses.
In-memory processing: Data is processed directly in memory, significantly reducing the time required for analytics.
Distributed workloads: Viya’s architecture spreads workloads across multiple cloud nodes, making it ideal for handling large data volumes.

4. Unlocking the Power of AI and Machine Learning

As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continue to shape industries, SAS Viya 4 offers advanced features that were unavailable in SAS 9.4. These tools allow businesses to tap into the full potential of AI/ML for smarter, faster decision-making:

Automated machine learning (AutoML): Streamline the creation and deployment of machine learning models without needing deep technical expertise.
Enhanced model interpretation: Tools for interpreting how models make decisions, ensuring transparency and trust in AI processes.
AI-powered forecasting: Advanced algorithms improve forecasting accuracy, leading to better predictions and business outcomes.

5. DevOps and CI/CD Compatibility

Modern software development revolves around DevOps and CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) processes, which help teams quickly deploy, test, and refine their analytics models. SAS Viya 4 integrates seamlessly with these practices, unlike SAS 9.4, providing:

Automated updates and deployments: Reduce errors and downtime with streamlined, automated processes.
Version control: Ensure you can track and revert changes as needed, improving collaboration across teams.
Faster innovation cycles: Get new analytics models into production more quickly and with greater confidence.

6. A Modern, User-Friendly Interface

One of the key improvements in SAS Viya 4 is its modern interface that encourages collaboration and ease of use. The platform offers enhanced features for both technical and non-technical users, allowing for:

Better collaboration: Teams can work together through shared dashboards, reports, and notebooks.
Customizable views: Tailor the interface to specific roles or needs, enabling everyone from data scientists to business analysts to benefit from the platform.
Simplified navigation: The new interface reduces the learning curve, making it easier for users to extract insights.

7. Advanced Security and Compliance

Data security has become increasingly important, especially with the rise of strict regulations like GDPR and CCPA. SAS Viya 4 provides enhanced security features that exceed those available in SAS 9.4, including:

Encryption at all stages: Secure data both in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access.
Granular access control: Define roles and permissions, ensuring sensitive data is only accessible to authorized individuals.
Auditable trails: Comprehensive logs and tracking help businesses meet regulatory compliance standards.

8. Future-Proof Your Analytics Strategy

With technology evolving at a rapid pace, it’s crucial for organizations to adopt solutions that can evolve with them. SAS Viya 4 is built with future scalability in mind, ensuring it will continue to meet the needs of businesses as their analytics requirements grow:

Regular updates: Viya’s cloud-native design ensures that organizations can always access the latest features and innovations.
Modular architecture: Add or remove features as needed, making the platform adaptable to changing business goals.

Conclusion: Making the Leap to SAS Viya 4

Migrating from SAS 9.4 to SAS Viya 4 is more than just an upgrade—it’s a strategic decision that enables organizations to leverage the latest in analytics technology. With its cloud-native architecture, open-source integration, improved performance, and AI capabilities, SAS Viya 4 provides a flexible, scalable, and secure environment for advanced analytics.At Woodpecker, we specialize in fully automated migrations from SAS 9.4 to SAS Viya 4, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency. Whether you’re deploying on AWS, Azure, Redhat OpenShift, or integrating with DevOps pipelines, our team can guide you through the entire process. Contact us to explore how we can help your business modernize its analytics infrastructure with SAS Viya 4!