Business analytics software and services firm, SAS, has announced that it plans to open a local hosting centre for its South African clients.

According to a press statement, South African SAS clients are set to have control of their own data solutions as well as virtual access to their services via SAS Solutions OnDemand.

The centre, which is planned to be located in Johannesburg, is planned to allow SAS to assume responsibility for the management and maintenance of the systems and software, ensuring higher uptime rates and data security, it was noted.

"Until now, South African clients either hosted their solutions in the US, or were required to purchase, install and manage the software themselves, along with the hardware required to do so," the statement reads.

Clinton Myburgh, delivery manager for Integrated Marketing Management at SAS southern Africa explained that it was costly for clients to host their solutions outside the country.

“SAS Solutions OnDemand has established a track record of providing organisations with state-of-the-art outsourced applications and the subject matter experts to manage them,” said Myburgh.

He added, “It removes internal blockages caused by a lack of adequate infrastructure and specialist skills, leaving clients to focus on what matters most – their business.”

The statement also revealed that having a hosting centre based in South Africa would also benefit clients with their compliance with the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, which dictates how businesses may collect, use, store and discard the personal information of their clients, staff and partners.

"Any data stored in the local hosting centre is guaranteed POPI compliance. Further, data remains within the country’s borders, so companies do not have the added concern of complying with other countries’ data laws," the statement reads.