Oct. 26, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Recognizing the growing need and challenges businesses face driving operational analytics across enterprises, SAS and Teradata are planning to establish a centralized “think tank” where customers can discuss analytic best practices with domain and subject-matter experts, and quickly test or implement innovative models that uncover unique insights for optimizing business operations. The Business Analytics Innovation Center will combine the strengths of SAS, the leader in business analytics software and services, Teradata Corporation (NYSE: TDC), the world’s largest company solely focused on data warehousing and enterprise analytics, and Elder Research Inc. (ERI), the world’s leading analytical consulting firm for data mining and predictive analytics, to help customers across all industries grow revenue, reduce risk and improve operations.

“For decades, SAS, Teradata and ERI have provided state-of-the-art analytical solutions for their respective customers,” said Jim Davis, SAS Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. “The Business Analytics Innovation Center combines our individual strengths for a robust approach to enterprise analytics. By acting faster and asking questions they previously couldn’t ask or didn’t think of, participating clients will be able to improve their operations and strengthen competitive advantage.”

The Center will incorporate unmatched thought leadership with a visionary lab for pilot programs, analytic workshops, and proofs of concept for prospective customers across a myriad of industries, including financial services, retail, government, health care and life sciences, and insurance.

The joint offerings that will comprise the Center are expected to yield powerful results. For example, a top global consumer electronics firm used resources from ERI that will become part of the Business Analytics Innovation Center to discover and prevent fraud committed by clients and partners. Within the first year, the firm recovered more than $20 million. They continue to rely on ERI for new analytical programs, rewarding their anti-fraud division’s effectiveness with expanded budget, staff and charter.

“Since our partnership began, SAS and Teradata have successfully helped customers determine how to best apply analytics within a scalable, in-database infrastructure,” said Darryl McDonald, Teradata Chief Marketing Officer. “One leading grocery store chain estimated that its analytics strategy, developed with SAS and Teradata, would generate $200 million in incremental sales.