IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence

Data modeling & access— FAQs

IBM Cognos 8 BI integrates data from all sources to ensure a complete view of the enterprise. A single model turns the data into information that makes sense to all business users and provides a single version of the truth that drives better performance.

  1. How does the Cognos 8 platform access data from all my sources?

    • A broad information reach. Gain access to all the data wherever it resides, using published interfaces across transaction systems, relational and OLAP warehouses, and flat, legacy, and modern sources.
    • Flexible data sourcing. Use the right mix of sourcing strategies — EII federation, ETL, direct, and more — to deliver the right information in the right way.
    • Data caching. Optimize user performance with EII virtual caching, PowerCubes, and in-memory caching for optimal business performance.
    • Single query engine (SQL and MDX). Generate optimized queries using a single, consistent approach while reducing management requirements.

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  2. How does the Cognos 8 platform deliver consistent information in terms business users understand?

    • A common business model. A single model provides a common understanding and view of the data across all capabilities, locations, and languages.
    • Multidimensional PowerCube creation. Model complex dimensional structures, business rules, and apply security needed by the business.
    • One model, many packages. Publish sections of your model to different user communities for fast delivery, increased consistency, and less cost and effort.
    • Data security. Make the right information accessible to the right users through granular security and role-based restrictions that leverage your security system.

  3. How does the Cognos 8 platform ensure accurate information is used to drive performance?
    • Complete data coverage. Includes the cleansing of all data critical to performance management.
    • Data quality metrics. Track the health of your data over time and engage business users in the data quality process.
    • Profile, parse and standardize. Resolve data issues by finding and fixing anomalies to increase confidence and promote user adoption.

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  4. How does the Cognos 8 platform make data modeling easier?

    • Multi-participant modeling. Allows a team to collaborate on different segments of a model and combine the results for a single view.
    • Multi-tier modeling with reusable objects. Create separate physical models from business models to decrease the downstream effects of changes and increase consistency.
    • Model retargeting. Modify or replace the physical layer of the model - for example, when moving between test and production environments - without disrupting end users.
    • Impact analysis. Lets users know when a change to a model has occurred, and tracks change details to ensure minimal impact on users.
    • Bidirectional third-party metadata integration. Access any metadata through pre-built bridges with other metadata modeling environments.
    • Model Advisor. Provides proven-practice modeling guidelines to identify modeling inconsistencies for faster development.

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Additional Resources:


IBM Cognos 8 BI Demo: Data Modeler Module
Online Demo
Data Modeler Module of the IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence demo
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IBM Cognos 8 BI Demo: System Administrator Module
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System Administrator Module of the IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence demo.
IBM Cognos 8 BI Demo: BI Professional Module
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IBM Cognos 8 BI Demo: Employee Module
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Employee Module of the IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence demo.
The Right Architecture for Business Intelligence: The Foundation for Effective Enterprise BI
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Read why the right architecture is a key factor in successful BI deployments and how the single, open IBM Cognos 8 BI architecture can reduce IT workload, improve productivity, and make better use of your IT budget.