SAS acquires Maryland company that manages intelligence data

Cary software giant SAS has acquired a Maryland company that helps the intelligence community manage its increasing amounts of data.

The company, Vision Systems & Technology, is headquartered in Ellicott City.

“The IC is challenged with rapidly evolving security threats that urgently demand the application of advanced analytics,” said Karen Knowles, General Manager of SAS Federal LLC, in a statement. “VSTI’s deep domain knowledge and analytics expertise in the IC, combined with SAS’ industry-leading advanced analytics, will help lead to quicker deployment of solutions – solutions that can weed through massive amounts of data quickly to identify the most relevant information."

VSTI was founded in 1997. The company's customers include the US Department of Defense, Navy, Air Force and the state of Maryland Consulting and Technical Services.

VSTI CEO Dwayne Robinson will report to Knowles and will continue to lead a team of more than 60 people.

Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

SAS has been looking to expand the services it offers public security agencies.

Last month, the company acquired privately held Memex, a 110-employee company based in Glasgow, Scotland that makes software used to combat crime and terrorism.

Memex's customers include the Delaware, Michigan, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania state police; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation; the Los Angeles and Philadelphia police departments; the Bedfordshire, Surrey and British Transport police departments in the United Kingdom; Belize Police Department; Albania State Police; and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime.

SAS generated $2.31 billion in revenue last year.