Cognos Express & VVM Salesforce

[LarryN]

I am trying to get Cognos Express  (9) working with Virtual View Manager to get Salesforce data into cubes and reports. I know it is not supposes to run against the FM in Express, but there has to be a way as my client cannot afford the full blown C8 or C10 licensing. They are happy with Express as it performs all their needs.

Is there a way to install FM admin into the Express FM?

THX

[MFGF]

Hi,

The big question is whether your Express instance supports ODBC connections into VVM (or Composite).  If IBM haven't included VVM ODBC support in Express, you will be unable to add your modelled VVM solution as a data source, either for use in FM or in reports.  I don't have my Express instance up and running just now, so I can't check, but if you go into Cognos Connection, launch the Admin Console, go to the Configuration tab and begin to add a new data source, is the VVM ODBC connection method available in the list of connection types?

The other big issue will be licensing, of course.  Cognos 8 and Cognos 10 both have VVM bundled in, and the relevant license for using VVM is included in the price, but Express does not include VVM and so I guess you will need to find out from IBM what the licensing implications are if you want to use VVM in this environment.  The alternative, of course, is to get a copy of Composite Information Server, which VVM is based on, and pay the relevant license to Composite.  All this assumes that Express has connectivity for VVM and/or Composite though.

Just my random thoughts...

MF.

[LarryN]

Thanks - I'll check with the Client and I'll look into my VM of Express. You would think that the VVM ODBC driver would be installed as part of the VVM installation - so that may have happened. the other issue is the Port service - Express runs on 19300 and Cognos "normal" on 9300 - I'm wondering if changing those port numbers affect the access or relationship between FM on Express and Fully admin'd FM?