Using Cognos as a Data Source for Tableau: Demo & Live Case Study with Ixia

USING COGNOS AS A DATA SOURCEFOR TABLEAUDemo & Live Case Study with Ixia

• Introduction• Poll• Overview of Senturus Analytics Connector• Senturus Analytics Connector @ Ixia• Ixia Connector Demonstration• FAQs• Senturus Overview• Q/A• Additional Resources

Agenda

Copyright 2017 Senturus, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Presenters

Michael Weinhauer

Practice Area Director / Solutions Architect

Senturus, Inc.


Jim FrazierVP of Client Solutions

Senturus, Inc.

Rajat SharmaFinancial Planning and Business Intelligence

SpecialistIxia

Steve KiserSenior Manager

Financial SystemsIxia

Hundreds of Free Resourceshttp://www.senturus.com/resources/

RESOURCE LIBRARYAn extensive, free library of past webinars, demonstrations, whitepapers, presentations, helpful hints, and more.


This slide deck is from the webinar: Using Cognos as a Data Source for Tableau

To view the FREE video recording, download this deck or read the Q & A go to: http://www.senturus.com/resources/using-cognos-as-a-data-source-for-tableau

/

Hear the Recording


http://www.senturus.com/resources/using-cognos-as-a-data-source-for-tableau/



OVERVIEW OF ANALYTICS CONNECTOR


Organizations have invested heavily in existing models that provide governed, secure, business-friendly, performant results

Huge Value in Existing BI Models


Using BI tools as ETL and/or recreating models in Tableau’s data prep pane wastes time and compromises integrity

BUT…Tableau Users Circumvent Them

Some Challenges with (Re)-Creating Metadata



Tableau users can connect directly to the BI modeling layer, giving them instant access to high quality data

The Solution? The Senturus Analytics Connector!


Instant Access to Quality Data Sets


Don’t Sacrifice Integrity for Agility!

Senturus @ Ixia – Improving On-Time Delivery


Past state • Cognos report for on-time delivery used as Excel data

dump • Analyst creates pivots, etc. in Excel then imports into

Tableau• Once for each supplier – very slow and manual

Current state • Use the Connector to create data source• Create Tableau visualizations directly against curated

data

Future state• Leverage Connector against different packages to

improve efficiency, speed and consistency of other processes

Senturus @ Ixia – Improving On-Time Delivery


Business value• Improved on-time delivery analysis for both

buyers and suppliers• Better analyst utilization – they can actually do

analysis!• Saving IT cycle time• Saving 2 days/month• 150% ROI in year one with one package

Technical benefits• FM is an excellent “pseudo-ETL” for summarizing

and arranging data

DEMONSTRATION

To view the FREE video recording or download this deck go to: http://www.senturus.com/resources/using-cognos-as-a-data-source-for-tableau

/

The Senturus comprehensive library of recorded webinars, demos, white papers, presentations and case studies is available on our website:

http://www.senturus.com/resources/

Hear the Recording








• (Re)-creation of metadata is slow, challenging and risky

• The Senturus Analytics Connector delivers agility and integrity

• Spend your time doing analysis, not prepping data that’s already curated elsewhere

Summary


Frequently Asked Questions


Live vs. Extract• Both methods are supported

Supported BI Platform(s)• IBM Cognos• Can configure for specific client environments

Supported Data Sources• Relational, PowerCubes, DMR and Dynamic

Cubes

Release Date• The product was released on November 7,

2016



Supported Versions / Platforms• Cognos 10.2.x/11.x• Tableau 9.x/10.x• Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows

7, 8, 10, Windows Server 2008 R2, 2012)

Software Installation Location• Wherever connectivity to Cognos is required

(Desktop or Server)

Minimum Software Requirements• Similar to those for Tableau Desktop or any

other typical ODBC driver



Licensing / Pricing



Licensing Implications for Cognos• Extracts: Cognos BI analytics user or

equivalent to allow extraction creation. Cognos license not required to connect to extracts, just Senturus Connector license

• Live Connect: Cognos BI analytics user or equivalent

Security• Enforces relevant security applied within the

Cognos environment



Framework Manager Model Requirements• No special modeling requirements for the

Connector• Tableau requires that joins are created

between query subjects

Method for Accessing Cognos via Tableau• ODBC connection

Support• Provided by Senturus and included in the price

of the product

ROI for the Senturus Analytics Connector


• Time and money required to create metadata from scratch in Tableau – ranges from a few days to several weeks depending on the complexity of packages

• Risk of not having proper security applied to data (PII, HIPPA)

• Time saved converting Cognos reports to Tableau

• Time wasted by different analyst groups maintaining multiple meta data layers between Cognos and Tableau

• Time wasted, cost and potential risk of having inaccurate/misaligned business metrics


Connector Test Drive

a

• Two week proof of concept• Includes installation, configuration and testing

in your environment

Register to request a test drive:http://www.senturus.com/enterprise-bi-connector-tableau/

http://www.senturus.com/enterprise-bi-connector-tableau/



Business Analytics Consultants

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Bridging the Gap Between Data & Decision Making

Analysis Ready

Data

DECISIONS &

ACTIONS

Business Needs

Analysis Ready Data


• Dashboards, Reporting & Visualizations• Data Preparation & Modern Data Warehousing • Self-Service Business Analytics• Big Data & Advanced Analytics• Planning & Forecasting Systems• Proprietary Analytics Connector

Software

Business Analytics Architects


1000+ Clients, 2000+ Projects, 16+ Years


Answers to Questions Asked by Viewers During the Webinar

QUESTIONS LOG

Q&A: Connect Tableau to Cognos: Ixia Shows How


Q: Is this Cognos ODBC proprietary or is it available online for us to try on our own? Also, can a Cognos report or a PowerPlay cube be used as a data source rather just Framework Manager package?A: It is proprietary, but we do offer a “test drive” where we will install, configure and test the Connector in your environment so you can evaluate. Please contact us for more information at [email protected] or to sign up at: http://www.senturus.com/enterprise-bi-connector-tableau/. Reports cannot currently be used as a data source, nor can data sources be accessed directly – everything is driven via the package.

Q: How would the Analytics Connector work if I deploy the workbook into the Tableau Server and the users of the workbook do not have access or login to Cognos?A: If you use an extract, then it would work. For live connections, users would need access to Cognos.





Q: We are currently moving to Cognos Analytics on IBM's SaaS offering with the reporting databases physically on our premises. Is anyone currently using the Connector with Cognos Analytics? And if so, how is the performance affected by the user's distance to IBM's cloud servers?A: Currently, we don’t have anyone using the Connector with cloud-based data sources, but performance is effectively the same and is driven primarily by the performance of Cognos.

Q: Is it possible to see the ODBC setup options for the Analytics Connector?A: We didn’t have time to demonstrate them during the webinar, but you essentially provide the dispatcher URI, authentication type (LDAP, ADS), userid, password, data source connection info (if multiples are used). There are a couple additional switches that can be configured for support and troubleshooting needs.



Q: Once the Tableau data source is created using the Analytics Connector, does it go back to Framework Manager or Cognos at all?A: For live connections, queries are being passed back to Cognos unless results are in Tableau’s cache. If an extract is used, then queries will hit that.

Q: How does the Analytics Connector impact Oracle licensing for data use access?A: Underlying data sources access licensing will be the same as Cognos.

Q: Does anything need to be installed on the Cognos server to use the Analytics Connector?A: No, all installation is on the Tableau side.

Q: Do we need separate CQM and DQM connections ?A: No – we currently only support DQM when using the Connector.



Q: Is it possible to get just one Analytics Connector desktop user license for $200?A: Unfortunately, it is not possible to get just get one license as we have some embedded software costs that require a $10,000 minimum purchase.

Q: Tableau licensing allows for up to three installs. Is the Analytics Connector licensed the same way?A: If by three installs you mean environments like dev, test, qa, prod, then yes.

Q: How does IBM treat the Analytics Connector with regards to licensing?A: Live connections require a BI analytics license or equivalent. For extracts only the user creating the extract requires a BI analytics license or equivalent.



Q: Can the Analytics Connector connect to multiple query subjects within the package at the same time? Also, can it connect to DMRs or OLAP models? A: Yes, it can connect to multiple query subjects. We support both DMR and OLAP models, specifically PowerCubes and Dynamic Query. Currently, we do not support SSAS, TM1 or Hyperion cubes.

Q: If I have a multiple-level Framework Manager package, what level is shown by the Analytics Connector in Tableau?A: If by level you mean nested namespaces, then whatever namespace has been selected, those tables will be shown. We are limited by the three levels allowed by Tableau’s ODBC interface, so nested namespaces will get flattened to fit into the one “schema” section. In these situations, you may want to consider carving out a smaller package for use in Tableau if many people will be creating Tableau data sources from such models.



Q: How is the Analytics Connector licensed and how much does it cost? A: For Tableau Desktop, the Connector is $200 per user and 25% annual support cost thereafter. There is a $10k minimum purchase. We have an overview available on our website at http://www.senturus.com/enterprise-bi-connector-tableau/.

Q: With the Analytics Connector, can I use Framework Manager security using data authentication against an LDAP?A: Yes, userid and password will be passed by the Connector to authenticate to Cognos, whereupon security defined in Cognos Framework Manager will be applied.

Q: Can TM1 via a Framework Manager package be used as a source for the Analytics Connector?A: TM1 is not currently supported as a data source.



Q: Will Framework Manager joins override the joins created in Tableau with the Analytics Connector?A: Yes, the joins created in Tableau are ignored, as that logic is contained in Framework Manager in Cognos.

Q: If we have security at the Cognos connection, but not in Framework Manager, will the Analytics Connector’s security still work? A: The Connector applies security defined within Cognos, so anything related to a given userid and password will be applied.

Q: Can we use the Analytics Connector if we use Tableau Desktop and not Tableau Server?A: Yes, it works on both Desktop and Server, but Server is not required.

Q: Can I use SaaS installations with the Analytics Connector?A: Yes, if you can install the Connector on the Tableau Server.



Q: Is Cognos Framework Manager star schema models supported through ODBC with the Analytics Connector? Also, are any joins through referential integrity managed in the same manner seen in Cognos?A: Yes, you connect to packages that may or may not be modeled as a star, and expose them to Tableau. All joins are handled by Cognos, the Connector creates dummy joins to satisfy Tableau’s requirement for them.

Q: When using dimensional data with the Analytics Connector, can I customize MDX code in Tableau?A: No you cannot.

Q: How big was the data source used on the demo of the Analytics Connector?A: The GO Sales data source in Cognos was used. It’s a smaller data source.



Q: After the live connect is used and cached for the visualization, how and when would Tableau use the Analytics Connector for data again? A: Tableau has caching algorithms that it will apply to subsequent queries, which will determine if another query is submitted to the Connector or if the cache will be used.

Q: In case of an extract - for any row level security set in Framework Manager or security to work do we need to have a live connection?A: Yes, any time an extract is created, the data returned is determined by the login credentials of the user creating the extract. User and group filters can subsequently be applied to a workbook to secure the data, but this is often redundant and/or insufficient.

Q: Can I model a separate dataset to a Cognos package through Tableau when using the Analytics Connector?A: The Connector is read only back to Cognos, you cannot model anything and push it back to Cognos.

To view the FREE video recording or download this deck go to: http://www.senturus.com/resources/using-cognos-as-a-data-source-for-tableau

/

The Senturus comprehensive library of recorded webinars, demos, white papers, presentations and case studies is available on our website:


Hear the Recording








ADDITIONAL RESOURCES


Tableau and Cognos Training Sale

a

• Dozens of Courses• Hands-on, Online • Expert Instructors• Cognos v10 and v11.0.5 and Tableau

v10

http://www.senturus.com/training/choosing-tableau-class/

Regularly Scheduled, Instructor-led, Online – Introductory, intermediate and advanced Desktop

courses– Expert business analytics instructors– Hands-on exercises

Private, Custom Onsite or Online Tableau Training

– Tailored to users’ level of expertise– Desktop and Server versions– Classes can be made even more relevant by using

your company’s data

Tableau Training Options





Free Upcoming Events


http://www.senturus.com/events/


Senturus Resource Library

• 100s of free resources

• Tableau, Cognos and more

• Past webinars, demos, whitepapers, presentations and helpful hints

If your question or issue is broader than what can be answered today, contact us at [email protected] we will set up a free consultation.

Q&A


mailto:[email protected]

Thank You!

[email protected]

888 601 6010

[email protected]

Copyright 2017 by Senturus, Inc. This entire presentation is copyrighted and may not be reused or distributed without the written

consent of Senturus, Inc.

mailto:[email protected]

Date post:	07-Apr-2017
Category:	Data & Analytics
Upload:	senturus
View:	50 times
Download:	1 times

Using Cognos as a Data Source for Tableau: Demo & Live Case Study with Ixia

Data & Analytics