Many mainframe shops have had SAS around for years. All too often, those shops are just using a small portion of SAS's rather extensive capabilities. SAS was designed to be a very powerful statistics package (among other things). But at many shops, it is mainly used as an extremely expensive, CPU-intensive, report writer. If you're using SAS as an ad-hoc report writer, Spectrum Writer can provide you that ability at a much lower cost.
Spectrum Writer is the 4GL report writer and file-format utility for z/OS and VSE mainframes. Spectrum Writer features a simple syntax that is easy to learn and use. Your programmers will be up and running with Spectrum Writer in no time. And yet it still provides dozens of the same powerful string manipulation, date manipulation and formatting functions found in those vastly more expensive products. Best of all, it is written entirely in fast, efficient Assembler language to be easy on your CPU.
Use Spectrum Writer to: - create brand-new custom reports in just minutes
- create custom files from flat files, VSAM files and DB2 tables
- turn mainframe data into Web reports (HTML format)
- convert mainframe data into ASCII files (comma-delimited or fixed format) for use in:
- spreadsheet programs like Excel and Lotus
- database programs like Microsoft Access
- e-mail attachments
- Oracle databases
- Unix Web servers
- any other mainframe, mini, or PC application that requires a custom file format
Suggested SAS Replacement Strategy:
Spectrum Writer is not a "plug-compatible" equivalent of SAS: Spectrum Writer uses its own easy 4GL language. So you will want to factor in to your cost savings calculations the cost of migrating your existing jobs.
We suggest the following staged approach toward achieving your big annual savings with Spectrum Writer.
1. Download a free 30-day trial of Spectrum Writer. See for yourself how powerful and easy Spectrum Writer is. During your trial, we will be happy to help you convert some existing SAS reports to run with Spectrum Writer. You can then judge whether Spectrum Writer is a practical replacement option for your shop.
2. License Spectrum Writer for your shop, either permanently or just for one year to start.
3. Start right away to use Spectrum Writer for all new ad-hoc report requests, to begin lessening your dependence on SAS.
4. Over time, convert existing SAS applications to Spectrum Writer (or to COBOL etc., if more appropriate.) (We have a handy online conversion utility that will give you a big headstart in converting your SAS input file definitions over to Spectrum Writer. Also see the SAS conversion FAQ and SAS functions chart for additional useful information.)
5. Finally, drop SAS and enjoy your savings year after year! You'll quickly recoup your modest investment in Spectrum Writer.
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Attention Mainframe Software Vendors! Spectrum Writer is the ideal choice for adding custom reporting and file export functions to your own product. Learn more about OEM, VAR and bundling opportunities.
