Real Time Data - Cube

[pooja]

Hi,

Are there any way to get real time data in TM1 cube for reporting purpose?  Please share your views. Currently we have some excel macro reports which runs against the live database. Now we are planning to have same in Cognos express 9.5 with TM1 Cube source.

Much appreciate your help.


Thank you,
P

[blom0344]

TM1 seems quite a 'heavy' solution..  Did you consider testing a DMR model against the database? Perhaps not ideal, but better than using Excel I guess   ;)

[pooja]

Thanks blom0344.

You mean to say - real time data can be achievable if we do DMR model?

[cognostechie]

What is meant by 'real time' data? If it means on-line LIVE data from the database then even a DMR would not give you real-time data because it will be connected to the Data Warehouse/Data Mart which would probebly be refreshed every night so it will not have the data that comes in during the entire day.

In most cases when you are dealing with a DW, there is practically no difference between a Cube and a DMR in terms of data because the Cube and the DW both get refreshed once a day.

[pooja]

Thanks cognostechie,

Yes, we are talking about LIVE data. because all our existing excel macro reports are runs against LIVE data. Now we are moving those reports to Cognos platform. So I am trying to get help from Cognos GURUs.

[cognostechie]

In that case, you have to evaluate as to what kind of reports those Excel macros provide? If those are reports without any heirarchies then you can build a Framework Model. If those reports provide dimensional data (which I doubt) then a DMR would be better.

It's definately not a good idea to connect Cognos to any LIVE database (presuming you are talking about the database used by some source system) because of a number of reasons.

[pooja]

Thanks again,

These reports are Finance reports (balance sheet, P&L ....etc). And we are using Cognos Expess with TM1.

[blom0344]

I do not entirely concur with Cognostechie on whether connecting to a 'live' database would be immortal sin. I know some financial systems that used canned BO universes / Cognos frameworks directly against the transactional system.

I would not advocate this, but if you know what you are doing this 'may' be an option.  In the cases I mentioned the vendor supplied sets of reporting views for the purpose. These views where tried and tested to avoid performance issues.

Again, not an suitable alternative for a DWH, but if requirements are limited it may be a way to go.  Personally developed some models directly against live databases (including DMR), making sure to test each and every component

[pooja]

thanks again....

now we are discussing to refresh the cube in every 15/30 mins. not sure if this is good way out?