Announcing Electronic Software Delivery (ESD)
When SASŪ 9.2 becomes available in 2008, SAS is extending electronic software delivery (ESD) as the primary vehicle for our customers to receive software. Select SAS 9.1.3 solutions, as well as JMP® 7.x, are currently being delivered through ESD.
What are the advantages?
The advantages to using ESD are significant and numerous. "ESD combines speed, ease of use, convenience, cost effectiveness, reliability and security in one single experience," says Armistead Sapp, Senior Director of Research and Development at SAS. "From a global perspective, our international customers can expect to receive their orders within hours, not days or weeks."
SAS OpRisk Global Data customers began receiving their software via ESD earlier this year. "We started using ESD to deliver software to our customers more quickly and efficiently," notes Kelly Gregory, Marketing Manager for SAS OpRisk Global Data. "Some of our customers have adapted to the change rather smoothly. Instead of waiting days for a CD to arrive, they have their information within hours."
Is it fast and secure?
SAS continues to set the bar for customer service by delivering customer orders via the fastest method available. Because ESD is available via a Web site, customers can start the download immediately instead of waiting on media. SAS ESD is based on state-of-the art technology to ensure that software downloads happen smoothly and quickly. Even if the connection has to restart, processes are in place to recover from interruptions in the electronic transmission so that you are assured of full delivery.
The infrastructure for ESD has been tested and approved by independent security audits. "ESD also uses advanced encryption technology to ensure the software download is transmitted accurately and completely only to the requesting customer," says Raj Desai, Project Manager in Product Development at SAS.