SAS is ‘Leader’ in Warranty Analytics, Says New IDC MarketScape Report

As manufacturers look for ways to cut the $70 billion they spend annually on warranty claims, they increasingly turn to the strategic use of predictive analytics. A new IDC MarketScape report from IDC Manufacturing Insights identifies SAS as a leader in warranty analytics. Companies like Sub-Zero, Volvo Truck and Whirlpool agree – they’ve been cutting costs with SAS^® warranty analysis solutions for years.

“SAS is the largest warranty analytics provider in the group,” said Sheila Brennan, Program Manager for Aftermarket and Service Strategies at IDC Manufacturing Insights, "which does not dilute its service levels, according to its customers. SAS has warranty analytics implementations at retailers and discrete manufacturers across industries. Based on SAS’ scores in both capability and strategy criteria, the company is positioned in the Leaders category. SAS has a strong offering, go-to-market and business capabilities, and notable investments in product innovation." (IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Warranty Analytics 2012 Vendor Assessment, # MI233833, March 2012.)

Warranty analytics software provides a key piece of business intelligence because it filters out noise and amplifies visibility for fraud detection, early warning and problem resolution. “SAS has been the leader in warranty analytics for more than 10 years,” said David Froning, Product Manager for Warranty Solutions at SAS. “IDC’s comprehensive review of warranty analytics vendors shows that SAS has the analytic depth, warranty experience, and extensive customer base needed to lead and expand the warranty analytics market.”

What SAS^® warranty solutions do

This IDC MarketScape focused on two SAS solutions: SAS Suspect Claims Detection and SAS Warranty Analysis. Additionally, the SAS Service Intelligence suite includes SAS Service Parts Optimization, SAS Contact Center Planning and Optimization, and SAS’ service revenue optimization software.

SAS Suspect Claims Detection identifies questionable activity that might indicate a need for training, policy change, or even criminal prosecution. By combining business rules, outlier detection, predictive analytics, and social network analysis, SAS Suspect Claims Detection identifies suspicious behavior at the claims, customer, service provider and network levels. Claim processors and auditors are notified automatically and provided the information they need to deny or adjust inappropriate claims, which may significantly reduce the estimated 10 percent to 15 percent of warranty claims that are fraudulent.

SAS Warranty Analysis integrates and analyzes data from warranty, contact centers, surveys, and other sources to automatically provide early warning of new product issues and accelerate the problem-solving process. For example, SAS Warranty Analysis can comb through hundreds of thousands of potential issues to automatically notify an engineer of an issue with anti-lock brakes. Then, based on technician comments and other supporting data, the software determines that the problem is warped rotors – but only from a specific supplier and only when used in hot regions. With clearer vision, the manufacturer can put corrective measures into place rapidly to protect brand value and customer satisfaction. Using SAS, manufacturers cut months out of this process.

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities, strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About SAS

SAS is the leader in business analytics software and services, and the largest independent vendor in the business intelligence market. Through innovative solutions, SAS helps customers at more than 55,000 sites improve performance and deliver value by making better decisions faster. Since 1976 SAS has been giving customers around the world THE POWER TO KNOW^®. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. ® indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright © 2012 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.