# Altair SLC Reviews
**Vendor:** Altair  
**Category:** [Statistical Analysis Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/statistical-analysis)  
**Average Rating:** 4.1/5.0  
**Total Reviews:** 10
## About Altair SLC
Are SAS Language Programs Mission Critical for Your Business? Many organizations have developed SAS language programs over the years that are vital to their operations. IT and analytics managers are also under pressure to reduce costs and find alternatives for handling their SAS language requirements. Altair SLC (formerly WPS Analytics) runs programs written with SAS language syntax without translation and without licensing other third-party products. Altair SLC is built to handle high levels of throughput and reduces clients’ capital costs and operating expenses. Multi Language, Multi-Platform Solution Altair SLC handles programs, workflows, and models that combine the SAS language and the SQL, Python, and R languages. Its built-in SAS language compiler runs SQL and SAS language code and utilizes Python and R compilers to run Python and R code and exchange Pandas and R data frames. Working on IBM mainframes and in the cloud, as well as on servers and workstations running a host of operating systems, Altair SLC supports remote job submissions and can exchange data between mainframe, cloud, and on-premises installations. Feature-Rich SAS Language Support In addition, Altair SLC doesn’t require any third-party middleware to process applications that contain the SAS language. Altair SLC’s built-in SAS language compiler supports SAS language and macro syntax, and includes procedure support for statistics, time series analytics, operational research, machine learning, matrix manipulation, graphing, and output delivery. Additionally, users can use Altair SLC in batch or standalone mode to execute programs and models or use it with Altair Analytics WorkbenchTM, a GUI/IDE that provides both no-code (workflow) and code facilities to create, maintain, and execute programs and models and interactively explore their outputs.



## Altair SLC Pros & Cons
**What users like:**

- Users enjoy the **smooth big data handling** of Altair SLC, effortlessly transforming messy data into clean insights. (1 reviews)
- Users commend the **responsive customer support** of Altair SLC, ensuring quick resolutions for any inquiries. (1 reviews)
- Users love the **seamless data import** process of Altair SLC, enabling quick and effective data management effortlessly. (1 reviews)
- Users enjoy the **ease of installation** of Altair SLC, making it accessible and ready for daily use. (1 reviews)
- Users find the **familiar Eclipse SDE environment** enhances the ease of use with Altair SLC and the Analytics Workbench. (1 reviews)
- Users value the **flexibility** of Altair SLC for utilizing various data science programming languages seamlessly. (1 reviews)
- Visual Design (1 reviews)

**What users dislike:**

- Users find the **complexity in search results** frustrating, often leading to confusion with multiple integrated solutions. (2 reviews)
- Users note that **limited features** in Altair SLC hamper its ability to fully emulate SAS software functionality. (2 reviews)
- Users find the **help resources inadequate** , making it difficult to identify missing functionalities in Altair SLC. (1 reviews)
- Users find the **learning curve challenging** due to difficulties in finding specific solutions for Altair SLC online. (1 reviews)
- Users find the **search functionality confusing** , making it challenging to find answers specific to Altair SLC. (1 reviews)
- UX Improvement (1 reviews)

## Altair SLC Reviews
  ### 1. Affordable alternative for Modelling software

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Karen M. | Head of Data Science, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 20, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

I installed the desktop version of Altair Analytics Workbench and found it super easy to install and to start using. 
I use the software on a dialy basis have not identified any major shortcomings. 
Where I did struggle with a query which I couldn't resolve through the multitude of online resources, I found their customer support to be highly responsive with a very short resolution time.

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

When searching the web for solutions to queries I may have, I have trouble limiting the results to focus on Altair Analytics Workbench and SLC specifically.
Often times solutions will pop up for one of their many alternative solutions.
More recently, Python code has been added to the mix making it a bit more challenging to find solutions on the web specifically.

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I'm using the software as a model development tool and I use this tool end-to-end.
I'm able to easily connect to a host of databases (e.g. Snowflake) without having to purchase separate connector licenses for the various databases - which is amazing and sets this product apart from other.
I'm able to perform all of my data transformations, data cleansing and sampling that are required prior to modelling. 
Finally, I'm able to run a multitude of different models on my data with ease and relative speed, considering the vast amounts of data I'm processing on a desktop.

  ### 2. Accumulate insights much quicker

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Sarah M. | Public Relations Consultant, Non-Profit Organization Management, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 22, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

The SLC setup was smooth. In less than a minute, I was settling into my data, feeling like a data Jedi not a lost puppy. It skips my headache of individual licenses and connect to multiple databases. My new superpower. It is SLC that makes my messy data transform into shiny clean gems or causes me to sample strategically, and I can reshape my data smoothly without any struggle.

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

At times, trying to figure out an answer proves to be difficult for users like us. The search results frequently render Ambition's entire software package, not just SLC. It's like searching for a specific spice in a pantry full of exotic ingredients overflowing. However, with Python integration, the search is just as much harder. At other times, I prefer only SLC without the final results with Python.

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

If you are searching for cheap, fast, and powerful modeling software like me, you should give a try to Altair SLC. It deals with data wrangling with ease, it connects to huge databases which gives you the ability to run models as a pro. That’s right, occasionally we might bump into the obstacle during the search process, and the benefits outweigh the minor inconveniences.

  ### 3. A beautiful and efficient development platform

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Insurance | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 13, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

A rich and robust platform that allows coding in multiple languages and executing our programs in a local or server environment. WPS is easy to get started with. In terms of performance, execution times are fast for SAS programs. The software cost is attractive compared to other solutions on the market. Regular updates are offered and support is available.

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

Few things in reality. There might be a lack of R or Python packages that allow us to read files in the wpd format, as well as features for importing csv files from SAS code (for example, the decimal separator "." or ",", which cannot be specified, at least in the version of the software I am using). Perhaps also a debugging tool, especially for R and Python code included in SAS code.

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

The execution of SAS programs, widely used in the insurance sector, at an attractive price. The WPS solution also allows for effective management of scaling up through the server environment (data volume, computing power).

  ### 4. A great way to program in SAS

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Howard T. | Director , Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 02, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

The software is relavitely easy to set up & install.

It has most of the SAS language covered, and allows you to switch to other languages.
This enables us to link easily with other platforms and pull data in as an ETL.

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

I am not a fan of having to use workspaces all the time, sometimes you just want to run a quick bit of code. i set up a general workspace to over come this in the end.

It is not a 100% match for SAS, so options are missing and you have to check against the user guide for gaps.

The customer support is really good, and do get back to you; however sometimes you need an answer "now" (as it is product specific) and there is no number to call.

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

We need to do large complex data manipulations, and then statistical analysis.

This tool is great as it is 1 platforms that allows me to do both.

  ### 5. Data query simplified with unified language

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Luís S. | Infra & Supervision Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 14, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

Intuitive and easy to use, updating to latest version is easy and the support is quick and reliable. Always listening carefully the customers and worried about solving things or include in next versions

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

Still focus on language... maybe including some IA stuff will become the onboarding new members tasks easier

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

We have huge amounts of data to link and most of them running in obsolet systems or databases no longer under development. Altair can work virtually with everything below and ODBC connection so we can connect our data across

  ### 6. Allows me to use SAS programming language but runs too slowly to be so useful for some purposes

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** David F. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 01, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

Can use SAS programming language, which is more flexible than SQL

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

Too slow as data is stored in Snowflake and can't use Altair SLC directly on Snowflake
Initial setup was difficult due to new licencing. 
Support is not as good as before WPS was bought out by Altair.

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Data processing and statistical modelling. 
Solving business problems.
Reporting.

  ### 7. Great product, great customer service

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Usman S. | CTO / Lead Web Developer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 02, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

Great tool for SAS scripts,  we have a code that i need to run monthly and it works well.

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

Can't think of any but only think i can say is perhaps there is a way for data sets to be slightly less in size

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It's solving our monthly script which produces valuations

  ### 8. WPS review

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Denis B. | Head of Operations and Data, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 02, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

Breadth of funcationality
Standard Eclipse based IDE
Good licensing model

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

Some of the SAS functions are not available

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Creating segmentation models for our customers

  ### 9. Great value for money and flexibility

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jacobus E. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 13, 2024

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

Flexibility to use multiple data science languages

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

Could expand reject inference functionality

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Ability to execute SAS language code

  ### 10. Altair SLC is a capable and cheaper alternative to SAS software

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Philip H. | Consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 19, 2023

**What do you like best about Altair SLC?**

Altair SLC and the Analytics Workbench are based on the Eclipse SDE environment, so will be familiar to many users.

**What do you dislike about Altair SLC?**

While Altair SLC is only going to be able to emulate a subset of SAS software functionality, the help system is not necessarily helpful enough to allow you to see where functionality may be missing.

**What problems is Altair SLC solving and how is that benefiting you?**

If I were to terminate my SAS licence, Altair SLC could be use to run 90% of my existing SAS programs.



- [View Altair SLC pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/altair-slc/reviews?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-06-08+14%3A03%3A21+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=270e7b7a-f3c1-4b7f-847c-3c951a52a6c8&secure%5Btoken%5D=ff85360cdb7872e045b93517ed4d4bd2aa753009a457b2275eca4007100b0929&format=llm_user)

## Altair SLC Features
**Reports**
- Reports Interface
- Steps to Answer
- Graphs and Charts
- Score Cards
- Dashboards

**Administration**
- Quality Control
- Data Sampling
- Collaboration

**Deployment**
- Language Flexibility
- Framework Flexibility
- Versioning
- Ease of Deployment
- Scalability

**System**
- Data Ingestion & Wrangling

**Data Preparation**
- Connectors
- Data Governance

**Deployment**
- Language Flexibility
- Framework Flexibility
- Versioning
- Ease of Deployment
- Scalability

**Statistical Tool**
- Scripting
- Data Mining
- Algorithms

**Model Development**
- Language Support
- Drag and Drop
- Pre-Built Algorithms
- Model Training

**Capabilities**
- Data Visualization
- Survival Analysis
- Risk Data Attributes
- Cost Analysis

**Management**
- Cataloging
- Monitoring
- Governing
- Model Registry

**Model Development**
- Feature Engineering

**Data Modeling and Blending**
- Data Querying
- Data Filtering
- Data Blending

**Operations**
- Metrics
- Infrastructure management
- Collaboration

**Data Analysis**
- Analysis
- Data Interaction

**Machine/Deep Learning Services**
- Computer Vision
- Natural Language Processing
- Natural Language Generation
- Artificial Neural Networks

**Methodology**
- ANOVA Support
- Regression
- Time Series Analysis

**Machine/Deep Learning Services**
- Natural Language Understanding
- Deep Learning

**Management**
- Cataloging
- Monitoring
- Governing

**Generative AI**
- AI Text Generation
- AI Text Summarization

**Decision Making**
- Modeling
- Data Visualizations
- Report Generation
- Data Unification

**Deployment**
- Managed Service
- Application
- Scalability

**Generative AI**
- AI Text Generation
- AI Text Summarization

**Generative AI**
- AI Text Generation
- AI Text Summarization

**Agentic AI - Analytics Platforms**
- Autonomous Task Execution
- Multi-step Planning
- Cross-system Integration
- Adaptive Learning
- Natural Language Interaction
- Proactive Assistance
- Decision Making

**Self Service **
- Calculated Fields
- Data Column Filtering
- Data Discovery
- Search
- Collaboration / Workflow
- Automodeling

**Generative AI**
- AI Text Generation
- AI Text Summarization

**Generative AI**
- AI Text Generation
- AI Text Summarization
- AI Text-to-Image

**Deployment & Integration - Analytics Platforms**
- No-code Dashboard Builder
- Report Scheduling and Automation
- Embedded Analytics and White-labeling
- Data Source Connectivity

**Advanced Analytics**
- Predictive Analytics
- Data Visualization
- Big Data Services

**Agentic AI - Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms**
- Autonomous Task Execution
- Multi-step Planning
- Cross-system Integration
- Adaptive Learning
- Natural Language Interaction
- Proactive Assistance
- Decision Making

**Performance & Scalability - Analytics Platforms**
- Large data handling and Query Speed
- Concurrent User Support

**Advanced Analytics & Modeling - Analytics Platforms**
- Data Modeling and Governance
- Notebook and Script Integration
- Built-in Predictive and Statistical Models

**Agentic AI Capabilities - Analytics Platforms**
- Auto-generated Insights and Narratives
- Natural Language Queries
- Proactive KPI Monitoring and Alerts
- AI Agents for Analytical Follow-ups

**Personalized Intelligence - Analytics Platforms**
- Behavioral Learning for Contextual Query Refinement
- Role-based Insight Personalization
- Conversational and Prompt-based Analytics

**Building Reports**
- Data Transformation
- Data Modeling
- WYSIWYG Report Design
- Integration APIs

## Top Altair SLC Alternatives
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