Utilizing Multiple Packages in a Report

[Cognos_Jan2017]

Using CA 11.0.11.

I am aware that,at least thru recently, that multiple Packages can be used for a Report WHEN the Packages are DQM.

Our 3rd-party App has several Packages, but NOT all of them are DQM.

Currently is there "another way" to utilize two or more Packages in a Report?

Perhaps a Data Module could do that, but that should require maintaining, and uploading, non-Package files.

TIA, Bob

[MFGF]

Using CA 11.0.11.

I am aware that,at least thru recently, that multiple Packages can be used for a Report WHEN the Packages are DQM.

Our 3rd-party App has several Packages, but NOT all of them are DQM.

Currently is there "another way" to utilize two or more Packages in a Report?

Perhaps a Data Module could do that, but that should require maintaining, and uploading, non-Package files.

TIA, Bob

Hi,

The answer is... It depends. If your CQE packages are built over data source connections that have both Native Client and JDBC configured in the same connection (eg SQL Server/Oracle/DB2), you should be able to bring the packages into a data module and base your report off the data module. The system tries to convert the metadata on-the-fly to DQM and uses the JDBC connection.

However, if the packages are not built over data source connections that also support JDBC, you can't do this. While you can bring the packages into a data module, when you try to use the data in a report or in a dashboard, you will see a message telling you the provider type is not supported in Dynamic Query Mode.

Cheers!

MF.

[Cognos_Jan2017]

When get to work later today, will try that ... and post result here.

Thank you MFGF.

[Cognos_Jan2017]

However, if the packages are not built over data source connections that also support JDBC, you can't do this. While you can bring the packages into a data module, when you try to use the data in a report or in a dashboard, you will see a message telling you the provider type is not supported in Dynamic Query Mode.

Was able to load 2 Packages (and save) in a Data Module.  Did NOT see message

... the provider type is not supported in Dynamic Query Mode ...

Had read that a Report built on 2 Packages requires "2 Windows" in the Report layout.  Added a Report w/ "3 Windows".

Trying to add to a List's Query (in one of the Report Windows) when clicking the Data Module shows only ...
Refresh
Replace Data Module

Is that another way Cognos is saying CAN'T do this?

Will wait for a reply from you before I consider contacting our App Vendor.

Thank you, Bob

[MFGF]

Was able to load 2 Packages (and save) in a Data Module.  Did NOT see message
Had read that a Report built on 2 Packages requires "2 Windows" in the Report layout.  Added a Report w/ "3 Windows".

Trying to add to a List's Query (in one of the Report Windows) when clicking the Data Module shows only ...
Refresh
Replace Data Module

Is that another way Cognos is saying CAN'T do this?

Will wait for a reply from you before I consider contacting our App Vendor.

Thank you, Bob

Hi,

It's not clear what you mean by "2 Windows"?

When you select the data module as the source for your report you should be able to see and expand both packages within it.

Create a report with a 2-column layout and add a List object to each column. Drag items from one package in the data module into one list, and items from the other package in the data module to the other list. Does the report run or do you see an error?

Cheers!

MF.

[Cognos_Jan2017]

When you select the data module as the source for your report you should be able to see and expand both packages within it.

Create a report with a 2-column layout and add a List object to each column. Drag items from one package in the data module into one list, and items from the other package in the data module to the other list. Does the report run or do you see an error?

That's the problem ... first my "Windows" are "column layout"; I called the columns "windows".

Just created a report w/ 2-column layout.  In the left column, created a List and tried to access the Data Module but NO Packages are shown ... only see ...
Refresh
Replace Data Module

Is that another way of telling us it won't work?

If I may, a similar question ...
We could benefit from 2 "Sources" for a Report ... One Package and One Data Module.

Have not tried that ... yet, but IF a "column" is required to access one of "multiple Sources", wouldn't
that mean each Source would require its own column for a Report (like a Sub-Report in a Report)?

We are utilizing a large Table w/ many Singeltons that work fine ... but for the Data Module Source,
we are running the Report, then hardcoding data into queries feeding Singleton values from the Data
Module ... works fine.  Not a major hassle, as the vast majority of the Singletons are from the One
Package.

IF a Package AND a Data Module must have their separate column in a Report, then (at least w/ the
current Cognos design), we would NEVER be able to place Singletons from a Package and a Data Module
in a Table in its own column?

TIA, Bob

[MFGF]

That's the problem ... first my "Windows" are "column layout"; I called the columns "windows".

Just created a report w/ 2-column layout.  In the left column, created a List and tried to access the Data Module but NO Packages are shown ... only see ...
Refresh
Replace Data Module

Is that another way of telling us it won't work?

If I may, a similar question ...
We could benefit from 2 "Sources" for a Report ... One Package and One Data Module.

Have not tried that ... yet, but IF a "column" is required to access one of "multiple Sources", wouldn't
that mean each Source would require its own column for a Report (like a Sub-Report in a Report)?

We are utilizing a large Table w/ many Singeltons that work fine ... but for the Data Module Source,
we are running the Report, then hardcoding data into queries feeding Singleton values from the Data
Module ... works fine.  Not a major hassle, as the vast majority of the Singletons are from the One
Package.

IF a Package AND a Data Module must have their separate column in a Report, then (at least w/ the
current Cognos design), we would NEVER be able to place Singletons from a Package and a Data Module
in a Table in its own column?

TIA, Bob

Hi,

If you don't see the packages, I'd first check you actually saved the data module after adding the packages. If you go back to edit the data module, are they visible?

This is the sort of view you should get when using the data module in a report:



What specific version of CA are you using? I recall having some visibility issues with packages in a data module in a previous build - might have been R7, but it's a while ago now so I can't be sure.

One thing for definite. You cannot use both a package and a data module directly in a report. You can use multiple DQM packages, but you cannot use multiple data modules or mix data modules and packages as the direct source of a report.

The way to go is to create a data module that has everything you need in it, and use this as the source for your report. This does require any packages you add to be able to deliver DQM sourced data, though.

Cheers!

MF.

[Cognos_Jan2017]

Thank you.  We are using CA 11.0.11.

Will check to see if somehow the Data Module did not save the Packages when I am at work later today ... and report back the result.

Your answer on not being able to mix a Package and a Data Module for Report Source is info we needed.  When our Vendor implements that all the Packages are DQM, we will add our existing Data Module (which enables us to utilize non-Cognos data from an Excel file) and DQM Packages into a new Data Module.

Will report back today, Thanks again MFGF, Bob

[Cognos_Jan2017]

My Data Module test for this does contain 2 Packages and another Data Module.

I added a 5-tab Report, then tried adding a List in 2 of the Tabs.

Hoping to add Data Items to the two Queries. I went to the Source (the Data Module), but
still do not see the 2 Packages and the other Data Module ... as in the pic you attached

Right-clicking that Source still drops down two entries of ...
Refresh
Replace Data Module

Don't know if that is another way Cognos (rather than an error message) lets User know
won't work (because not DQM Packages).

Using CA 11.0.11

I think this will definitely work, as you said, when DQM.

Your thoughts?

TIA, Bob

[MFGF]

My Data Module test for this does contain 2 Packages and another Data Module.

I added a 5-tab Report, then tried adding a List in 2 of the Tabs.

Hoping to add Data Items to the two Queries. I went to the Source (the Data Module), but
still do not see the 2 Packages and the other Data Module ... as in the pic you attached

Right-clicking that Source still drops down two entries of ...
Refresh
Replace Data Module

Don't know if that is another way Cognos (rather than an error message) lets User know
won't work (because not DQM Packages).

Using CA 11.0.11

I think this will definitely work, as you said, when DQM.

Your thoughts?

TIA, Bob

It's very odd that you don't see anything within your data module. I'm using 11.0.12, so only one release later than you.

Can we just do a quick sanity check...

When you created your data module and added the packages as sources, you did actually perform the second step of dragging the packages into the module, right?



Sorry if this is an obvious question...

Cheers!

MF.

[Cognos_Jan2017]

When you created your data module and added the packages as sources, you did actually perform the second step of dragging the packages into the module, right?

Previous Data Modules I created were not in the same "structure". I would drag Excel files (my only
previous Data Module designs) to the right (like done in the current design as shown in your pic).

Therefore, my lack of knowledge did NOT perform thr "second step" above.

Looking GOOD.  THANK you, MFGF

Something interesting from all this ... an older YouTube video said multiple packages
would require a separate "row", "tab", "column" in a Report.

I am able to drag in Data Items into a list from 2 different Packages.  IF I haven't messed
that up, it reasons that our Goal of a Large Table filled w/ Singletons SHOULD work.

Have you encountered such a design described directly above?

TIA, Bob

[MFGF]

Previous Data Modules I created were not in the same "structure". I would drag Excel files (my only
previous Data Module designs) to the right (like done in the current design as shown in your pic).

Therefore, my lack of knowledge did NOT perform thr "second step" above.

Looking GOOD.  THANK you, MFGF

It's the same process regardless of the source type. You add the source (eg uploaded file, package, data server etc) to the data module, then you drag from the sources pane to the data module to add your required content. If you didn't drag the uploaded file into your module, you would end up with an empty data module, just as you did here.

Something interesting from all this ... an older YouTube video said multiple packages
would require a separate "row", "tab", "column" in a Report.

I am able to drag in Data Items into a list from 2 different Packages.  IF I haven't messed
that up, it reasons that our Goal of a Large Table filled w/ Singletons SHOULD work.

Have you encountered such a design described directly above?

TIA, Bob

Hi,

The video you are referencing is referring to you having multiple packages added directly as data sources in a report. Obviously (as we know) these need to be DQM packages. If you do this, a single report container (eg list, crosstab, chart etc) cannot combine data from multiple packages. However, you can bring the same packages into a data module, add relationships between them, then use the data module as your report's data source. In this case you can drag data from anywhere in the module into a single container - since they are all joined.

Just bear in mind that the joining is being done locally on the Cognos server, so it's not very efficient.

Cheers!

MF.

[Cognos_Jan2017]

It's the same process regardless of the source type. You add the source (eg uploaded file, package, data server etc) to the data module, then you drag from the sources pane to the data module to add your required content. If you didn't drag the uploaded file into your module, you would end up with an empty data module, just as you did here.

Yes.  I was rushing thru that.  I should have known better.

However, you can bring the same packages into a data module, add relationships between them, then use the data module as your report's data source. In this case you can drag data from anywhere in the module into a single container - since they are all joined.

This scenario should not require any joins.  The data will be placing Singletons, from three different organizational structures, into a large Table.

Thank you again MFGF.