Introduction to Cognos 8 BI

Ø  Cognos 8 Business Intelligence is an integrated enterprise solution. It is Enterprise business intelligence software with integrated reporting, score-carding, analysis and event management capabilities. Cognos8 can perform Business Intelligence across multiple data sources and Applications.

Q. What are the new features of Cognos 8 BI?

Ø  The new features of Cognos 8 BI can be listed as below:

            1. Power-Play Web is replaced by Analysis Studio.

            2. Metrics Manager is replaced by Metric Studio.

            3. Decision-Stream is replaced by Data Manager.

            4. Event Studio is added to provide event lifecycle management.

            5. Open data access.

            6. Dimensional Modeling of Relational Data Sources in Framework Manager.

Q. What are the different Cognos products?

Ø  Some Cognos products can be listed as below:

           

            1. Cognos Impromptu

            2. Cognos Powerplay

            3. Cognos Decision Stream

            4. Cognos Data Manager

            5. Cognos Reportnet 1.1

            6. Cognos 8BI

            7. Cognos Enterprise Planning

Q. Give overview of Cognos 8BI architecture?

Ø  Cognos 8BI architecture can be separated into three tiers:

           1. Web Server

           2. Applications

           3. Data

These tiers are based on business function, and are typically separated by firewalls. User interfaces sit above the tiers.

Q. What are the different interfaces and components available in Cognos 8BI?

Ø  The user interfaces available in Cognos 8BI can be divided into:

            1. Web based (accessed through internet explorer)

            2. Windows based

Ø  The components in Cognos 8BI are:

1. Web based – Query Studio; Report Studio; Event Studio; Metric Studio; Analysis Studio; Cognos      Connection

2. Windows based – Framework Manager; Cognos Powerplay; Map Manager; Metric Designer

Q. Describe the different components available in Cognos 8BI?

Ø  The components of Cognos 8BI are listed below:

1. Query Studio - used to create simple queries and reports. Basic templates and formatting can be applied.

2. Analysis Studio - used for data analysis through ranking, complex filters for large volumes of data.

3. Metric Studio - used to create score carding and dash board reports, assign tasks for poorly performing metrics and linking to reports containing related information.

4. Report Studio - used to create professional standard reports including dashboards, maps, charts etc., fully automated drill through is available.

5. Event Studio - has agents that check the data. When an agent detects a particular condition, Event studio takes action by generating emails, running reports etc.

6. Cognos Connection - used for managing content and administration of Cognos server.

7. Framework Manager - used to create packages based on relational, dimensional cubes. Packages are published to Cognos connection which will be used to create reports in various studios.

8. Powerplay transformer - Used to create powerplay cubes.

9. Map Manager - Used to create user defined maps.

10. Metric Designer - Used to create metrics which are used to create scorecards in metric studio.

Q. What are the different models used for report development in Cognos 8BI?

Ø  The different models used for development in Cognos 8BI can be as listed:

1. Relations Models – based on relational databases like Oracle, db2.

2. Dimensionally Modelled Relational database (DMR) – used to provide dimensional approach to a relational database.

3. OLAP Sources – publishing packages based on cubes.