Building an Analytics Experience

with SAS and HTML5

Nikola Markovic

Boemska

1st Feb 2017

We are a software company & SAS Partner consultancy. Amongst other things we specialise in building bespoke Analytics Apps with our clients.

From dashboards and one-off simple applications, to Progressive Web Applications and Mobile Apps, to large-scale Information Systems, our focus is on the productionisation of Analytics while considering the importance that User Experience plays in its adoption.

What is a HTML5 App

An App that loads and runs in the browser

and

Any 'native-ish' App that uses those same browser technologies
(ie. most apps today)

How a HTML5 App works

How a SAS-powered HTML5 App works

What is H54S

A poorly named open-source library that lets HTML5 developers & SAS developers easily develop  HTML5-based Enterprise Analytics Apps.

https://github.com/boemska/h54s

Boemska HTML5 Data Adapter for SAS

How a HTML5 SAS App works

How a HTML5 SAS App works

%include '/pub/sasautos/h54s.sas';

%hfsGetDataset(datain,work.additions);

data back;
  set sashelp.class 
    (obs=3 keep=name sex weight) 
    work.additions;
run;

proc sort data=mydata; by name; run;

%hfsHeader;
  %hfsOutDataset(rtrnd, work, back);
%hfsFooter;

var adapter = new h54s({hostUrl: 'myServer:8080/'});

var myFirstTable = [
  { name: 'Allan', sex: 'M', weight: 101.1 },
  { name: 'Abdul', sex: 'M', weight: 133.7 }
];

var tables = new h54s.Tables(myFirstTable, 'datain');


adapter.call('/Apps/myFirstService', 
        tables, function(err, res) {
  if(err) {
    console.log(err);               
  } else {
    console.log(res.rtrnd);
  }
});

H54S Features & Examples

• Bidirectional Data Transport

uses datasets as primary atomic format
​(superseding parameters)

• Clientside logging & system messaging facility

​(making apps so much easier to support)

https://apps.boemskats.com/ht/editor/

H54S Features & Examples

• Handling of clientside sessions & SASLogon Redirects
   
• Continuous, predictable User Experience
   
• Simple integration with most APIs, Open Source libraries and 3rd Party visualisation tools (AngularJS, Highcharts, Google Maps, Postgres/PostGIS, everything)

Architecture Benefits

(Enterprise Integration)

• Out-Of-Box Single Sign-On
   
• Pre-configured Transport Level Security
   
• Per-request Authorisation
   
• Granular, role based Metadata security

(happy to talk about this for hours)

Deployment & BAU Benefits

• Easily deployed and updated with SAS 9.4:
  Web/WebServer/htdocs & a SAS .spk
   
• User & role management is controlled by Metadata & governed by existing SAS JML procedures
   
• No additional platform work required, Zero up-front infrastucture cost. Uses existing kit.
   
• Easily supported and updated by widely available skillsets: JavaScript frontend + SAS backend.
  No proprietary lock-in.

Why?

• Business users love SAS.