[R] Entire Organization Switching from SAS to R - Any experience?

[Ross Boylan]

We use SAS and R here (a biostat department and consulting unit), in
part because there are some things SAS does that R doesn't.  In
particular, we use SAS proc nlmixed with custom likelihood functions.  R
has similar capability but does not allow custom likelihood; the authors
say adding it would be non-trivial.

I don't know how common such absolute barriers are, but they would be
one thing to watch for.  As others have noted, datasets too big too fit
in memory are difficult in R (though the 3G barrier only applies to 32
bit hardware).

If you have "customers" who themselves do data analysis, they may also
resist change.

I would think switching from SAS to R is a pretty big deal; it would
probably be easier if you did not need to switch existing projects.  Of
course, that still leaves you paying some license fees.  But the switch
will have substantial short-term costs in time, if not money, even if
users are motivated.

Ross Boylan

On Thu, 2009-07-16 at 17:40 -0400, Kel Lam wrote:
> My institute has been heavily dependent on SAS for the past while, and
> SAS is starting to charge us a very deep amount for license renewal.
> Since we are a non-profit organization that is definitely not
> sustainable.  The team is brainstorming possibility of switching to R,
> at least gradually.  I am talking about the entire institute with
> considerable number of analysts using SAS their entire career.
> There’s a handful of us using R regularly.  What kind of problems and
> challenges have you faced?  Any insight is much appreciated.  Thank
> you very much!
> 
> Kelvin
> 
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