IBM Cognos Analytics

[MFGF]

The new name for the next release of Cognos BI has been announced as IBM Cognos Analytics. Looks like there going to be are some big changes to the look and feel, with new capabilities in dashboarding, guided authoring and intent-driven modelling.

IBM have posted up some videos on Youtube - it's worth a look to see the new UI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRbulHoUQC4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEmlACZhRtM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYlbiWeBgtA

Can't wait for it to be released!!

MF.

[bdbits]

I am glad to see the product facelift and UI workover. Still, I have to wonder how easy it will be to upgrade and what will break. I know IBM is very reassuring about this, but I remember past migrations and at times even if the big things did not break, so many little ones did that at least some users lost trust in the upgrade process to keep existing stuff running smoothly. The actual release and early implementations will be an important bellwether. I am hoping IBM Cognos has learned how important this is to perception of the product, and put lots of effort into testing.

The other big concern, and I am sure it concerns IBM as well, is retraining. I know, it's "intuitive" and all that, but users can be a demanding bunch and often do not like change however much better it may seem to those of us who work in IT. :-) I could see this issue keeping people on 10.x for a long time. But it has to change some time. Hats off to IBM for kicking it up a notch.

I do not mean to sound like a wet blanket. It is definitely a big step forward in the interface, no doubt about it. It is a much better looking and friendlier GUI, and certainly makes it more impressive when seen alongside what has sometimes been the more approachable competition's interfaces. It is functionally a good product as it is now, so this should keep Cognos in good standing in the marketplace.

[cognostechie]

What is intent-driven modeling? I couldn't see any of that though other sites I saw say the same thing.

[bus_pass_man]

click on  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYlbiWeBgtA

There's another picture here:
https://www.ironsidegroup.com/2015/10/27/cognos-analytics-top-4-release-features-from-insight-2015/

[cognostechie]

It's not very clear as to whether that is at the portal level for the user or the Framework level for the modeler though it seems that it is at the FM level.
I wonder how it creates joins, probably based on common field names. Will have to see. Sure seems to be a fast method to provide the users for a new package.

[cognostechie]

One thing to note is that IBM sure has taken steps to add and improve features to Cognos since the acquisition of Cognos. Cognos has improved a lot since then !

[MFGF]

I am glad to see the product facelift and UI workover. Still, I have to wonder how easy it will be to upgrade and what will break. I know IBM is very reassuring about this, but I remember past migrations and at times even if the big things did not break, so many little ones did that at least some users lost trust in the upgrade process to keep existing stuff running smoothly. The actual release and early implementations will be an important bellwether. I am hoping IBM Cognos has learned how important this is to perception of the product, and put lots of effort into testing.

The other big concern, and I am sure it concerns IBM as well, is retraining. I know, it's "intuitive" and all that, but users can be a demanding bunch and often do not like change however much better it may seem to those of us who work in IT. :-) I could see this issue keeping people on 10.x for a long time. But it has to change some time. Hats off to IBM for kicking it up a notch.

I do not mean to sound like a wet blanket. It is definitely a big step forward in the interface, no doubt about it. It is a much better looking and friendlier GUI, and certainly makes it more impressive when seen alongside what has sometimes been the more approachable competition's interfaces. It is functionally a good product as it is now, so this should keep Cognos in good standing in the marketplace.

I believe the old, comfortable 10.2.2 UI is still there if users would prefer the "old ways". I also believe that Query Studio and Analysis Studio are still included, so there should be no issues with upgrading (same process as moving from 10.2.1 to 10.2.2).

Cheers!

MF.

[sdf]

Im not sure if you guys are familiar with Tableau. It looks/feels like it.

[cognostechie]

Yes, I am familiar with Tableau and my first thought was the same as yours. However, Tableau has an issue that it works only for small data sets and freezes when the data is substantial . Cognos does work well with large data sets especially with DQM. I am not sure but I presume that this new front end will work with DQM.

[MFGF]

Yes, I am familiar with Tableau and my first thought was the same as yours. However, Tableau has an issue that it works only for small data sets and freezes when the data is substantial . Cognos does work well with large data sets especially with DQM. I am not sure but I presume that this new front end will work with DQM.

Correct :)

MF.

[gesys]

 IBM Cognos Analytics Server 64-bit 11.0 Microsoft Windows Multilingual (CN89VML) is already available for downloading on passport advantage

[MFGF]

IBM Cognos Analytics Server 64-bit 11.0 Microsoft Windows Multilingual (CN89VML) is already available for downloading on passport advantage

Yep. It's released today :)

MF.