It has been about a year since we started work on becoming less dependent upon SAS for our business systems. And as of January 1, 2022, JMP is officially a SAS company instead of a SAS business unit. So we felt like it was time to update the JMP subsidiary Frequently Asked Questions document -- this document.
If you don't find what you need here, go to the Subsidiary Library, which links to many related documents including a comprehensive list of monthly JMP reports.
And if you have a question that is not addressed here, ask it in the comments section below. We'll add the most common queries to future versions of this document.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
What did JMP announce in January?
After more than 30 years as an internal business unit of SAS, JMP became a separate company and is now structured as a wholly owned subsidiary of SAS.
What have we been changing since January?
JMP is taking steps to plan for and establish all the needed systems and processes that we have enjoyed as a business unit of SAS: business systems, information systems, legal systems, financial systems, facilities and more. We are lucky that JMP had already established its own brand identity and many of its own systems of record and development.
What is the name of the new company?
JMP Statistical Discovery LLC
Why is JMP making this transition?
As SAS works toward becoming IPO-ready, JMP is working toward expanding responsibilities for its own future. Now is the time for JMP to solidify its position as a leader in analytic software for engineers and scientists.
Why is JMP becoming a separate company?
JMP has achieved the financial strength, brand equity, and market success to make this move. By becoming a separate company, JMP can open new opportunities for its employees, customers and community.
SAS has been a great home and a tremendous incubator for our business. As a subsidiary, we’re staying under the SAS umbrella of companies so we will still be connected to SAS. John Sall will continue to focus his time on JMP and will also remain attached to SAS as a Co-Founder and Executive Vice President.
Is this announcement related to SAS’ IPO-ready announcement?
Yes. Streamlining operations and separating financial reporting are important parts of SAS’ IPO-ready strategy. This transition supports both of those goals and gives JMP more control over its own future.
Why is becoming a subsidiary of SAS the next step in JMP’s evolution?
JMP has always been its own business within a larger business. It has had the advantages of acting like an agile, small company with the support that comes from a large organization. But as JMP has grown and evolved, it has built a different user base, developed different kinds of products, and embraced the science and engineering community of analytic practitioners. With this move, JMP will have more autonomy to maximize future growth and success.
Will JMP’s new organizational structure be similar to IDeaS’?
Yes. As a matter of fact, it is identical from a corporate ownership perspective. IDeaS is also a wholly owned subsidiary of SAS.
EMPLOYEE CHANGES
What has changed or will change for JMP employees?
Effective January 1, 2022, all U.S. JMP employees are employed by the JMP subsidiary as opposed to SAS Institute Inc. All JMP employees outside the U.S. remain employees of their current international SAS entity, but their work is connected to the new JMP company.
What will happen to salaries and benefits for the U.S. employees moving into the JMP subsidiary?
JMP employees will see no change to their benefits. Salaries will also stay the same, so will paid time off, health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, etc. All the Human Resources systems and processes that are in place remain. Employees in Cary and their families can continue using the SAS Health Care Center, child day care, the gyms, the cafes, libraries, etc. SAS professional development classes and the SAS Tuition Assistance Program, for instance, are still available to you. Even SAS start dates remain the same, so seniority is not affected.
What will happen to salaries and benefits for employees outside of the United States?
There are no changes to salaries and benefits for employees outside of the United States.
Will JMP reporting structures change?
Becoming JMP Statistical Discovery LLC had little to no impact on reporting structures on January 1. As JMP hires additional people and creates more independent systems and processes as a legal entity, there are some natural changes in JMP’s organizational structure.
Will JMP add employees?
SAS staff who have historically supported JMP Technical Support and JMP Education have officially joined JMP. Additional staff in HR and Finance have also moved to JMP. We expect to continue adding new staff to support these new departments, as well as filling other needs as they arise. We encourage all JMP staff to keep an eye on open positions and recommend any candidates they might know.
What is the benefit to JMP employees of working for this new and separate company?
Securing the best future for JMP employees, its customers, and its community matters deeply to SAS executive leadership, and to John Sall in particular. John Sall’s focus on the future of the business, and on JMP employees around the world, remains steadfast. We will increase our investment in key regional markets and personnel. As such, employees will continue to have the benefit of participating meaningfully in a growing company with a clear focus and bright future ahead. Over the next few years, JMP will continue to strengthen its business to open more and new opportunities for its employees around the world.
Can we still use SAS domain for email?
You can still use your sas.com email for now but it will be going away at some point, we’re just not sure when. Please switch to using the jmp.com email exclusively as soon as possible so there’s not any disruption.
WHAT ELSE IS CHANGING?
How will this change JMP’s current strategy?
Our mission hasn’t changed – we aim to transform a world of data into a world of intelligence by bringing interactive data visualization and analysis to the desktop. JMP is also seeking to obtain operational independence to ensure it is agile and poised for optimal future growth.
Does this mean John Sall is retiring?
No. John Sall is not retiring. Jim Goodnight and John Sall continue to own the JMP subsidiary since they are the owners of SAS. John Sall remains hands-on with JMP R&D, and Jon Weisz continues running the JMP business.
Does JMP have a CEO?
Indeed it does! Jon Weisz is the JMP CEO. His responsibilities haven't changed even though his title has. He continues to run the JMP business, just as he did as a JMP vice president.
Will JMP remain based in Cary, NC?
JMP is deeply committed to the Triangle and is very proud to be a part of the SAS campus in Cary, NC. There are no plans to move JMP’s world headquarters away from its current location.
Will JMP have access to facilities at SAS World Headquarters?
JMP continues to be able to host meetings and events in the Executive Briefing Center, Building V Auditorium, the Global Training Center and other parts of the world-class facilities in Cary. JMP employees in Cary also continue to have access to the amenities and resources on SAS campus they are used to.
Will there be any changes to leadership at JMP?
No. Other than adding leaders as needed, JMP leadership is not changing. It has the right leadership in place at this time.
Will SAS groups continue to support JMP business?
Absolutely. Many SAS employees support JMP’s business and will continue to do so.
Will JMP continue to use the same systems we’ve been using (CVENT, Jira, Confluence, etc.)?
Some of the systems we’ve been using will stay in place. Others will be replaced with new systems that better support our newly independent business model. Stakeholders will be consulted when deciding what to keep and what to replace.
Does this announcement change the way employees work?
For now, it’s business as usual. JMP will keep its stakeholders posted about any changes in the longer term.
Will there be any changes to operations or business structure in the future?
JMP is always evaluating its needs as a business, the needs of its customers, and how it can best approach its goals. As JMP moves forward, it will share updates as they arise.
Can I talk about this with my friends and family?
Sure. We’re excited about this, and you should be too. Feel free to share your excitement with friends and family. This document is internal only, but it will help you have those conversations.
Should I share this news on social media?
Not yet, please. When the time is right to share this news with the world, we will prepare materials for you to post on social media and other channels. Please refrain from posting or commenting on anything related to this news until then. You should, however, update your personal social media accounts as specified in these guidelines.
What do we tell customers?
If you hear inquiries from customers, please reach out to Legal or Business Operations. We want to help you guide those conversations when they do happen.
Will JMP software change?
We’ll continue to release new versions of JMP every 18 months, with every iteration more user-friendly, more comprehensive and more powerful than the one before. And we’ll continue to introduce new products – like JMP Live – as the markets demand.
Will JMP make its own policies regarding travel and remote work?
For now, JMP is adhering to SAS policies such as offering flexible work options and restricting travel to business-critical needs, etc.
Can you please provide an update on if/when stock options will be delivered to employees?
We would provide an update about SAS and/or JMP employee stock options if we could. At this time and for the foreseeable future, we don't know anything about stock options for anybody. Please don't let something so unknowable become a distraction. The wise saying, "control the controllable," comes to mind. Right now, we should make JMP the very best JMP it can be because that is within our control.
SALES
With the US being its own LLC and non-US staff still reporting to SAS, how will this affect our global clients?
In the immediate future, our customers will continue to license JMP software from SAS (and SAS’ subsidiaries) as they do today. Over time, licenses will transition to the new company. Our legal and business operations staff will work with customers and the JMP sales team to ensure an easy transition.
How will customers pay invoices?
Invoices will continue to be paid as detailed in the customer’s specific license agreement.
Will splits work the same?
JMP will continue to address splits per the Sales Policies.
Will we allow for multi-entity agreements?
JMP will continue to offer a multi-entity access rights license.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
How much is JMP worth separate from SAS?
JMP has achieved the financial strength, brand equity, and market leadership to enter the next phase of its evolution, and we believe that its business and customer relationships carry significant value.
Will JMP be profitable when it’s separate from SAS?
JMP has been a growing and successful business for some time, seeing an average of 13% growth year-over-year in the last 15 years. With this track record, JMP has every reason to expect continued growth and profitability.
Will there be any ownership options or stock options for employees moving forward?
JMP is a wholly owned subsidiary of SAS. As such JMP will remain under the SAS umbrella of companies. It’s too early in the SAS IPO process to have answers about that right now.
Will everyone keep their existing corporate SAS credit cards? Will travel coordination and other expenses go through SAS Travel/Concur?
Until told otherwise, use SAS credit cards. Everyone will be notified when that changes. Like with the credit cards, keep using Concur until you hear something different.
DEVELOPMENT
Will we still plan to file patents moving forward, and if so, how would the process change from the current one?
Please continue to work with the SAS patent team for filing patents. These patents will be held by the new JMP subsidiary, as opposed to by SAS.
