In today’s banking landscape, institutions are navigating the complexity of managing multiple license SAS environments from legacy SAS 9.4 to modern SAS Viya 3.5 deployments. This variety, while delivering a breadth of analytical capabilities, can introduce some operational intricacies. Unifying analytics on a modernized SAS Viya 4 platform empowers banks to maximize existing investments and future-proof their analytics operations, all while supporting agility, scalability, and regulatory requirements.
This article explains how CBTW collaborates with banks to unlock the full value of their SAS environments and best align license models to shifting analytical demands.
License Optimization in Banking Analytics
Banks often operate several SAS environments to meet diverse business needs or due to the natural evolution of systems. Key considerations around license management may include:
- Simultaneous use of SAS 9.4 and SAS Viya 3.5, which can create parallel environments.
- Each environment maintaining separate license agreements and support structures.
- Fragmented license management potentially making true usage more difficult to track and complicating renewals.
- Dependencies on legacy platforms occasionally slowing modernization efforts.
Careful orchestration of these environments allows banks to evolve their analytics more rapidly and responsively to new regulatory and market conditions.
Our Approach to SAS License Value Maximization
We begin with a holistic assessment of the bank’s SAS estate, focusing on:
- A comprehensive inventory of licenses to uncover overlaps and areas of possible underutilization.
- Analysis of workloads across SAS 9.4 and Viya 3.5 environments.
- Understanding user roles, reporting needs, and projected growth.
- Mapping current agreements to a new, right-sized model that leverages the powerful capabilities of SAS Viya 4.
This detailed evaluation enables our team to craft a bespoke license optimization strategy that matches actual business needs while delivering operational efficiencies.
Practical Steps to License Optimization and Model Alignment
The path to license optimization typically involves the following phases:
- Architecture Workshops: Bringing together stakeholders to envision a unified analytics architecture focused on SAS Viya 4.
- License Model Design: Developing a tailored Viya 4 license plan covering all groups and workloads, supporting growth and innovation.
- Migration Execution: Transitioning content to the new platform with minimal disruption, guided by best-practice processes.
- Decommissioning Legacy Systems: Gracefully retiring outdated systems as new capabilities are brought online.
- Governance and Monitoring: Setting up continuous license usage monitoring and oversight for optimized and compliant operations..
Case Study Spotlight: Modernizing Analytics in a Leading German Bank
A major regional bank in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, faced unique challenges with legacy data marts and batch analytics – all under strict requirements for security, performance, and compliance (including DORA adherence). There was also a need to ensure seamless cloud integration and uphold cost discipline.
CBTW partnered with the bank on a proof-of-concept that delivered a technically validated target architecture for a unified SAS Viya platform in their private cloud. The engagement involved designing the environment, deploying Viya, analyzing existing analytic processes, and simulating migration scenarios to identify opportunities and address blockers early. Stakeholders across IT, operations, and business units were collaboratively engaged to build alignment and a structured roadmap.
Key outcomes included:
- A fully validated SAS Viya architecture delivering outstanding security, performance, and resilience.
- Detailed insights into migration dependencies and clear cost implications for decision-making.
- A gap analysis supporting robust governance and operational excellence.
- Strong cross-functional alignment for a smooth transition and path to ongoing innovation.
This transformation serves as a strategic blueprint for banks looking to modernize analytics while maintaining resilience, compliance, and flexibility.
The Strategic Importance of License Optimization
For banks, optimizing SAS licensing extends beyond cost efficiency – it generates tangible business value by:
- Cost Efficiency: Aligning licenses to actual use, minimizing unnecessary overhead.
- Faster Modernization: Streamlined environments support more rapid adoption of new analytical features and approaches.
- Strengthened Governance: Centralized license management empowers compliance and clarity.
- Enhanced Agility: Flexible licensing adapts to evolving user and business needs.
- Simplified Operations: Streamlined environments are easier to manage, scaling with growth.
These advantages add up to greater resilience and an accelerated path to analytics-driven innovation.
Our Comprehensive SAS Licensing Expertise
As a SAS Gold Partner and active member of the SAS Partner Advisory Board, we uniquely combine deep domain knowledge with technical expertise. Their end-to-end services cover advisory, implementation, migration, license optimization, and managed services, ensuring banks minimize risks and realize value quickly and sustainably.
Our team also offers flexible contracting and direct engagement with SAS product managers, facilitating smooth transitions and ongoing support tailored to client needs.
Charting the Future of Analytics in Banking with CBTW
Where multiple SAS environments exist, our collaborative, optimization-focused approach unlocks new value and strengthens governance. By harmonizing licensing, migrating thoughtfully, and leveraging the flexibility of SAS Viya 4, banks position themselves for measurable business gains and lasting competitiveness.
