When reports are run in IBM Cognos BI, a query is made to a data source and any relevant results get returned. But what if in the moments after executing the report, the data changes and is updated? Is there a way to auto refresh a report instead of users having to manually re-run it? Fortunately, the answer is yes. Here’s how. Read more
As we mentioned in a recent article, The Why, What, Who, and How of Successful Hadoop Deployment, there’s a lot you need to consider when implementing Hadoop to manage big data at your organization. Now we’ll build off that perspective and explore the data lake. Like any other new methodology just starting to gain ground in the information management space, there are a lot of assumptions about what data lakes can do and how they tie in with Hadoop-based infrastructures. In this article, we’ll discuss the most essential pieces of knowledge you need to wade into data lakes, dispel some of the rumors around them, and explain how they can fit into your information management ecosystem.
Like many products, Cognos Incentive Compensation Management (ICM) goes through regular updates. The most recent release was Cognos ICM 9.0 on May 5th, a follow-up to the version 8.1.3 release on February 13th. Both of these releases included some big changes. The majority of these changes affect model development – creating and modifying your system. Speaking as an implementer of ICM systems, I feel that the features rolled out this year will help me do my job easier and faster. Below are several examples to show you why. Read more
On June 3rd, Ironside hosted a webinar on Donor Optimization Techniques with IBM Business Analytics. Industry experts from IBM, along with special guest Monique Dozier, the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Information Systems & Donor Strategy at Michigan State University, demonstrated techniques for successfully increasing and accurately targeting fundraising efforts. Read more
On June 23rd Ironside hosted a High Impact Incentive Compensation Reporting and Dashboarding webinar, where we reimagined what can be done with incentive compensation reports using our expertise in and success with transforming business through an enhanced user experience. If you are a consumer or creator of reports for any level of the sales organization and beyond, then this webinar is for you. Read more
As you can see from the title, there are a lot of “as-a-Services” floating around in the modern marketplace. New vendors appear every day offering software, platforms, and infrastructure over the cloud. In the midst of this wild west-style atmosphere, how can you be sure that the type of solution you choose will be right for you and will consistently perform in the way you expect? Read more
IBM recently rolled out Watson Analytics Pro, a more feature-rich, subscription-based version of their free Watson Analytics platform. This new option adds some powerful new functionality to the already excellent base product, enabling subscribers to be more connected to their existing data sources and analyses, providing more storage space, and allowing for easy administration of Professional licenses and users. The best part? IBM has announced to existing Cognos BI, TM1 and Sales Performance Management customers a program that allows free subscriptions to Watson Analytics Professional Edition. This is a limited time offer. Read more
Guarding the security of and defining access to data is often a necessary business requirement. Not all users can or should have access to a total data set, so filter strategies need to be applied to restrict what appears to different users running reports. As Cognos developers, the first question we should ask when faced with this requirement is what filter strategies work best for our data and why? Read more
The Preferred Syntax to use in Cognos and Why
Cognos is not a programming language, but it does allow programmable syntax such as a case or an if logic statement. The question is, which is the preferred syntax to use and why?
Generally speaking, the answer is that it does not matter. The best one to choose should be based on your brain’s ability to write and perceive the code one way or another. The best application, however is to use them as follows: Read more
Powering business analytics evolution through targeted infrastructure support
Did you know there are over 326 million trillion gallons of water on Earth? Yes, you read that number right. It’s hard to even fathom (no pun intended) a number that large, let alone try and quantify it into consumable, actionable business analyses. Watts Water Technologies deals with the enormity of this vast natural resource every day, improving the global community’s comfort, safety, and quality of life through their industry-leading water regulation, purification, and reuse equipment solutions. Read more
Ironside helps companies translate business goals and challenges into technology solutions that enable insightful analysis, data-driven decision making and continued success. We help you structure, integrate and augment your data, while transforming your analytic environment and improving governance.