(CARY) -- SAS reports that year-to-date sales of its business analytics products to small and midsize companies (SMBs) are up 42 percent over the same period in 2010. The Cary-based company said increased use of analytics technology by smaller businesses is being looked at more and more as a vital competitive tool.

“Mega-corporations use this technology widely to understand customers, optimize supply chains, manage risk and much more," said Kevin Garabedian, SAS Senior Director for Small and Midsize Business. “But today, companies of all sizes need new ways to do business.”

The rush of SMBs to SAS is facilitated by a new generation of SAS technologies, providing the world’s most popular business analytics in formats aimed at SMB business professionals.