Cognos 8 Platform

The Cognos 8 platform helps data modelers build a consistent view of information across capabilities, geographies and user groups on terms the business can understand.

The Cognos 8 platform provides:

• Business-relevant information for every decision-maker.
• Optimal modeling to meet business requirements.
• Data lineage and traceability features for greater business user understanding.

Business-relevant information for every decision-maker

The Cognos 8 platform ensures each business user receives relevant information in terms they understand, while shielding them from the complexity of the underlying data.

• Common business model: Provide cross-functional business views that span heterogeneous data sources and shield business users from the complexity of the underlying data.
• Multi-tier model: Create multiple layers that translate the physical data model into the logical business model. Multiple levels of extraction let modelers modify the physical sources and optimize the model without disrupting the user experience.
• Multi-lingual model: Deploy across geographies without the need for additional coding, servers or duplicate reports.
• Multi-packaging: Define logical packages based on the needs of a specific user, department or role.
• Multi-dimensional PowerCube® creation: Model complex dimensional structures and business rules for a quick response to ad hoc requests.

Optimal modeling to meet business requirements

Data modelers can work together to ensure their models meet the business requirements, while a broad range of features make the models easy to build, maintain and manage.

• Model advisor: Optimize model performance and identify inconsistencies through built-in access to proven-practice modeling guidelines.
• Multi-participant modeling: Groups of developers can work on different aspects of the model simultaneously, then combine them to build the overall enterprise model.
• Model retargeting: Modelers can modify or replace the physical layer of the model without disrupting the end user experience.
• Impact analysis: Modelers can relay changes to users and track change details and impacts to downstream reports.
• Versioning: Modelers can publish multiple versions of a metadata model.
• Multi-tier modeling with reusable objects: Create separate physical models from business models to decrease the downstream effect of changes.
• Bi-directional third party metadata integration: Access any metadata through pre-built bridges with other metadata modeling environments.

Increased business user understanding

The Cognos 8 platform provides increased visibility into the data models to business users can see where the data comes from and understand how it has been transformed.

• Common sanctioned source for dimensions: Use IBM Cognos 8 Business Viewpoint to create and manage all hierarchies and attributes used within your performance management deployment.
• Metadata lineage: Trace the metadata back to the source model to better understand the data sources and transformations that have occurred. Show me the demo.
• Third-party lineage: Open API enables integration with your existing lineage providers. Integration with IBM Infosphere Metadata Workbench ensures end-to-end visibility into all data sources.