Cubes in transformer and FM

[phoenixfire]

Hi...
I am new to cubes...while I have worked on FM, RS and QS

So when you create a cube in PP, how do u use it in cognos 8?.I know that you can use analysis studio to work using this cube...but do you need to use FM to use a cube in cognos 8?

also, if a FM model is to be used to build a cube, you select iqd in the externalize method and then use this model exported as an iqd,  as basis to build the cube...is that so?

Other than iqd's, what other sources are used to build a cube? can a cube be built from the scratch?

In short, how does cubes and FM go hand in hand...both ways or one way?

Thanks a lot....any help is really appreciated..

[MFGF]

Hi,

To get access to a cube in Cognos 8, you will need to use Framework Manager to publish it as a package.  The process is very simple - define a data source that points to your cube, run through the Import Metadata wizard, and it will create a package that you can publish.

If you want to use data modelled in FM when creating the cube, you will need to define one or more query subjects that contain the relevant items, change the properties of each to specify an Externalize method (IQD, csv etc), create a package that includes these query subjects, then publish the package and enable the option to externalize the query subjects.

This will then create IQDs or csv files that can be used in the C8 OLAP Modelling tool (Transformer) as data sources for defining your cubes.

Hope that helps,

MF.

[jguevin]

We use the OLAP modeling tool (transformer) to build all our cubes, then the cubes .(mdc files) are used as data sources in FM.  When importing the datasource as MF states, it is a real simple process to create/publish the package which is then available for use in AS, RS, QS

MF, do you know if there are performance differences with building directly in Transformer (using the IQDs we previously had in Impromtu) vs. building the the IQDs in FM, having them used in Transformer to build the cube, then used in FM to publish the package?  We are always trying to increase performance with the cubes since we rely heavily on them.  Also when 8.3 comes out it is my understanding that Transformer will no longer be needed to build the cubes.  Your thoughts on this?
thanks
Jeff

[MFGF]

Hi,

An IQD is just a text file containing the SQL query used to retrieve the data, and a list of item names for the result set.  Unless you have done some weird multilayer modelling in FM, there should really be no difference between an IQD from Impromptu vs FM.  If you're not sure, just open the IQD using notepad and take a look at the query.

I can't really say anything useful about 8.3, since no such version exists at the moment.  I could speculate about what might be included/changed etc, but it's probably best not to  :)  You could try asking your Cognos account manager about it, but my guess is he/she will not be able to discuss future releases with you unless you agree to sign a non-disclosure agreement, in which case you will be unable to discuss it on these forums anyway.

Regards,

MF.