IBM Cognos Analytics
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Business intelligence software |
| Founder | IBM |
| Products | Business intelligence platform, reporting, analytics, scorecarding, performance tracking tools |
| Owner | IBM |
IBM Cognos Analytics—previously known as IBM Cognos Analytics with Watson and IBM Cognos Business Intelligence—is a comprehensive web-based business intelligence platform developed by IBM. It delivers functionalities for reporting, analytics, scorecarding, and tracking critical performance indicators. The suite comprises tools such as IBM Cognos Framework Manager, IBM Cognos Cube Designer, and IBM Cognos Transformer, each tailored to fulfill various organizational data requirements.
Basic components
These browser-compatible components operate on popular web browsers, with IBM Cognos officially supporting Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Internet Explorer.
Cognos Connection
Acting as the primary web portal, Cognos Connection provides centralized access to all IBM Cognos BI features. Through this portal, users can locate, manage, and organize assets like reports, scorecards, and agents. It also offers capabilities for scheduling report distribution, creating tasks, administering servers, and managing user permissions. Additional functionalities include generating shortcuts, URLs, and custom pages.
Query Studio
Query Studio empowers users with self-service options for straightforward queries and fundamental business reporting. It allows customization of report formats, application of filters and sorting criteria, and creation of charts to aid decision-making processes.
Report Studio
Report Studio is intended for producing comprehensive management reports and offers two modes of report authoring: professional and express. The professional mode provides full features for building complex reports incorporating charts, maps, and lists using relational or multidimensional datasets (excluding dynamic data). Conversely, the express mode is designed for users without technical expertise, featuring a simplified interface suitable for conventional financial or management reports while supporting dynamic data sources.
Analysis Studio
Users can explore extensive datasets to uncover patterns and irregularities not readily apparent in standard reporting. Its multidimensional analysis capabilities include drag-and-drop functionality to integrate key performance indicators. Features such as row and column switching and OLAP operations like drill-up and drill-down facilitate more profound data examination.
Event Studio
Event Studio functions as a real-time alert system that monitors business occurrences or exceptions via configurable agents reacting to data modifications. Alerts can be delivered through e-mail, portal postings, or triggered reports, enabling proactive response with comprehensive notification options.
Workspace
Introduced initially as IBM Cognos Business Insight in version 10.1 and renamed in 10.2.0, IBM Cognos Workspace is a web-based environment that allows business users to create interactive workspaces for analysis and collaboration by leveraging existing IBM Cognos resources.
Workspace Advanced
Previously called IBM Cognos Business Insight Advanced, IBM Cognos Workspace Advanced provides a web interface for report creation and data analysis by end-users.
Windows-based components
- IBM Cognos Framework Manager
- IBM Cognos Cube Designer
- IBM Cognos Transformer
- IBM Cognos Lifecycle Manager
- IBM Cognos Map Manager
Go! Office
Go! Office embeds IBM Cognos content directly within the Microsoft Office suite, granting users access to report data, metadata, headers, footers, and visual elements. Users have the option to utilize existing reports or develop new ones using Query Studio, Analysis Studio, or Report Studio. By importing content into Excel, users can apply sophisticated formatting and perform calculations before distributing documents through Cognos Connection for wider sharing.
Go! Search
Go! Search provides comprehensive full-text search capabilities across IBM Cognos reports, analyses, dashboards, metrics, and events by indexing prompts, titles, headings, and data fields. It supports advanced query operators such as +, -, and quotation marks to refine search results. The output prioritizes items with the most pertinent metadata and includes variations in spelling and word forms. Searches can be narrowed down to specific entry types like agents. Additionally, full-text search functionality is integrated within Analysis Studio, Query Studio, and IBM Cognos Viewer for content associated with the current data context.
Go! Dashboards
IBM Cognos Go! Dashboard allows users to build interactive dashboards that combine IBM Cognos content with external data sources customized to individual user preferences.
Dashboards may incorporate report objects shown through a Cognos Viewer portlet, featuring interactive components such as lists, crosstabs, and charts. Users can switch between lists or crosstabs and charts seamlessly. Dynamic control of dashboard content is facilitated by sliders and checkboxes. Additional features include the Cognos Search portlet for accessing published materials, along with support for web links, web pages, RSS feeds, and images.
The interface supports two distinct modes: an interactive mode designed for dashboard exploration and interaction, and an assembly mode intended for dashboard creation and modification.
Business Applications
In 2006, IBM disclosed that the New York Police Department employs Cognos technology within its "Real Time Crime Center" to provide immediate visual representations of CompStat crime statistics, thereby improving tactical decision-making processes.
See also
- Cognos ReportNet (the predecessor to IBM Cognos BI)
- Oracle Business Intelligence Suite Enterprise Edition
- Business Objects