SAS marks 50 years as technology leader based in Cary

July 2, 2026 - 03:24

CARY, N.C. -- SAS celebrated its 50th anniversary on Tuesday, marking a half-century of growth from a university research project into a global leader in data analytics and artificial intelligence. The company, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, was founded in 1976 by James Goodnight, John Sall, and several colleagues from North Carolina State University. What started as a project to analyze agricultural data has since evolved into a software giant with over 12,000 employees and customers in more than 140 countries.

Over the decades, SAS has weathered major shifts in the technology industry, from the rise of the internet to the explosion of big data and cloud computing. The company has consistently adapted, moving its core statistical software to the cloud and investing heavily in AI and machine learning tools. Its software is used across industries, including banking, healthcare, and government, for tasks like fraud detection, risk management, and predictive analytics.

In a statement, CEO Jim Goodnight credited the company's longevity to a focus on innovation and a strong corporate culture. "We have always believed in investing in our people and our technology," he said. "That commitment has allowed us to stay relevant for 50 years." The anniversary comes as SAS continues to compete with tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, as well as newer startups, in the rapidly growing AI market.