Cognos Demo

IBM Cognos Business intelligence is a web based reporting and analytic tool. It is used to
perform data aggregation and create user friendly detailed reports. IBM Cognos provides a
wide range of features and can be considered as enterprise software to provide flexible
reporting environment and can be used for large and medium enterprise. Cognos also provides
you an option to export the report in XML or PDF format or you can view the reports in XML
format.

Types of Cognos
Here are the important types of Cognos reporting tool:

Content Store:
It is set of database tables which are used by the Content Manager to store application data of
the Cognos.

Content Manager:
The Cognos manager helps you to manage storage and retrieval of report specifications,
configuration data, published packages, from the content store database.

Cognos Content Database:

Cognos content database is a self-contained database server which is used to host the content
store database in demo environments when enterprise DMBS in unavailable.

Key differentiators & advantages of Cognos Demo

 Stay in Control: Provide oversight over user data with built-in data management and
data governance features.
 Flexible Deployment: Deploy either in the cloud or on-premise.
 Mobile Sharing: Share data reports and monitor analytics via a mobile portal.
 Out-of-the-Box Capabilities: Allow users to start analyzing almost instantly with
numerous preconfigured settings.
 Visualization: Get automatic recommendations for the best visualizations for particular
data templates. Format reports quickly with styles.
Industry Expertise
IBM is over a century old, with a century's worth of experience. They serve customers across
the board, in industries such as healthcare, insurance, banking and financial markets, retail and
consumer goods, travel and transportation, energy and utilities, among others.

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have
been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros
 Data Analysis and Visualization: All users who mention data analysis and presentation
unanimously agree that this solution covers the full spectrum of BI analytics capabilities.

 Data management: All users who mention data preparation praise its data integrations
and effective metadata management, which ensure data consistency and accuracy
across multiple reporting systems.

 Functionality: Of users who mentioned this platform’s features, around 90% were
satisfied with regular updates and enhancements which allow them to create faster,
more responsive dashboards.

 Reporting: Around 89% of users who mention reporting are satisfied, appreciating its
ad-hoc reporting and report-sharing capabilities.

 Setup: Excellent vendor support coupled with the ease of establishing data connectivity
with data sources make installation of this solution a breeze, as approximately 87% of
users have mentioned.

Cons
 Cost: Around 87% of users who mention cost feel that its licensing model is expensive
when compared to other BI solutions.

 Training: Approximately 45% of users who reviewed training say that the learning curve
can be quite steep and though self-service training is available, they would prefer a
formal learning program.

Key Features

 Components: Boost the feature set of the core platform with components that enhance
data modeling, visualization and analytics capabilities. 
  Powerful Reporting: Create detailed charts, graphs, maps, voiceovers and repeat
functions with the robust, professional reporting suite. Simplify reporting for non-
technical users with express mode. 

 Web-based Interface: Access the platform on any hardware via the web.

 Natural Language-powered AI: Interrogate data and receive natural, consistent

responses with a built-in AI, powered by NLP. 

 Automated Modeling: Verify and combine data via automated modeling, and assess
relationships between separate data points. 

Limitations
Some of the product limitations include:

 Integration with MS SharePoint is not supported

 Lacks write back capability for reports

 Does not integrate well with OLAP data and IBM Planning Analytics

 Expensive for start-ups and small organizations

Top Competitors
Here is the other software most often considered with IBM Cognos BI in actual selection
project*

 Tableau Server

 QlikView

 SAP Business Objects

Cost of Ownership

License/Subscription Cost  Dependent on the type of license – workgroup, standard

 or enterprise (refer pricing section for more details)

Maintenance Cost  Subscription & Support costs are based on a percentage

of the license cost (25% of initial license cost)

 Software Accelerated Value Programs are an incremental

charge calculated on a per-case basis, dependent on the
specific service that the customer requires. Customers
can't purchase Software Accelerated Value Programs
without paying standard Subscription & Support cost

Installation/Implementation Cost  Included in license/subscription cost

Customization Cost  Will vary depending on the functional requirements such

as configurable dashboards, complexity of workflows,
forms to collect additional data, UI changes, etc.

Data Migration Cost/Change  Dependent on your current software, amount of data to

Management/Upfront Switching
be migrated, availability of migration tools, complexity of
Cost
data and gaps between the existing system and the new
system.

Training Cost  Self-service support is available online

 Native language support consists of live support and

unlimited access for all certified IT technical staff within
an organization

Recurring/Renewal Costs  Renewal fee includes license cost and maintenance fee
for the new or next year

Audience
IBM Cognos provides a wide range of features and can be considered as enterprise software to
provide flexible reporting environment and can be used for large and medium enterprises. It
meets the needs of Power Users, Analysts, Business Managers and Company Executives.
Power users and analysts want to create ad-hoc reports and can create multiple views of the
same data. Business Executives want to see summarize data in dashboard styles, cross tabs and
visualizations. Cognos allows both the options for all set of users.
Prerequisites
IBM Cognos Business Intelligence is an advanced topic. Even though the content has been
prepared keeping in mind the requirements of a beginner, the reader should be familiar with
the fundamentals of running and viewing reports or manage schedules, portal layouts, and
other users' permissions before starting with this tutorial.