SASMAX - Maximize potential of reusing SAS code

In statistical programming units of pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations (CROs), it is common practice to reuse SAS ® code across projects. For complex standard programs and macros designed, validated and maintained by a standards group, this is typically a well-defined process. However during daily routine, all kinds of SAS programs initially written for single use are copied, modified and adapted from one project to the next to reduce time for development and validation, potentially leading to a bunch of slightly different versions. It’s a challenging question for each SAS programming unit: How can one ease and standardize the reuse of SAS code, i.e. collect know-how from a group of individuals, set up a transparent architecture, strengthen awareness of what is available and optimize retrieval, but avoid at the same time an overload of corresponding administrative activities? This paper presents the implementation of the Accovion SAS program library SASMAX © , the underlying concepts and technologies as well as its Web-based interface designed to support efficient import and retrieval of SAS programs and macros.