SAS/QC 12.1 includes three new procedures for multivariate process monitoring, as well as enhancements to the CAPABILITY, PARETO, and RELIABILITY procedures.

In previous years, SAS/QC^® software was updated only with new releases of Base SAS^® software, but this is no longer the case. This means that SAS/QC software can be released to customers when enhancements are ready, and the goal is to update SAS/QC every 12 to 18 months. To mark this newfound independence, the release numbering scheme for SAS/QC is changing with this release. This new numbering scheme will be maintained when new versions of Base SAS and SAS/QC ship at the same time. For example, when Base SAS 9.4 is released, SAS/QC 13.1 will be released.