Using Cognos as a Data Source for Tableau: Fast, Accurate & Secure Analytics

USING COGNOS AS A DATA SOURCEFOR TABLEAUFast, Accurate, & Secure Analytics

• Introduction• Senturus Overview• Poll• Overview of Senturus Analytics Connector• Demonstration• Details• Additional Resources• Q/A

Agenda

Copyright 2016 Senturus, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Presenters

Michael Weinhauer

Practice Area Director / Solutions Architect

Senturus, Inc.Copyright 2016 Senturus, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Jim FrazierVP of Client Solutions

Senturus, Inc.

Hundreds of Free Resources http://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 of the presentation and download this deck go to: http://www.senturus.com/resources/using-cognos-as-a-data-source-for-tableau

/

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Business Analytics ConsultantsWHO WE ARE


Bridging the Gap Between Data & Decision Making

DECISIONS &

ACTIONS

Business Needs

Analysis Ready

Data

Analysis Ready Data


• Dashboards, Reporting & Visualizations• Data Preparation & Modern Data

Warehousing • Self-Service Business Analytics • Big Data & Advanced Analytics• Planning & Forecasting Systems

Business Analytics Architects


1000+ Clients, 2000+ Projects, 16+ Years

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!

DEMONSTRATION

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

• The Senturus Analytics Connector gives you agility and integrity

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

Summary


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

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DETAILS

Details


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 11/7/16

Details


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

Details


Licensing / Pricing

Details


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

Details


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

Why Use 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/



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



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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Free Upcoming Events


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

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

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Includes• Check Tableau server configuration settings for best practices• Explore hardware sizing and provide guidance• Inspect network/hardware configuration and settings for best practices• Analyze backend data sources and structures• Analyze a sample set of worksheets and dashboards to troubleshoot

performance issues

Deliverable• Findings and recommendations document pinpointing sources of

performance issues

Guarantee– If Senturus does not find and diagnose the factors creating your

performance problems, you don’t pay

$2,995

Services are estimated separately for large multi-server Tableau environments

Tableau Server Optimization Assessment


More Free Resourceswww.senturus.com/resources


Answers to Questions Asked by Viewers During the Webinar

QUESTIONS LOG

Q: Is the Senturus Analytics Connector compatible with Cognos Analytics v11?A: Yes, it is.

Q: Does the Senturus Analytics Connector work for Cognos Finance?A: We don’t believe so; however, it might work to connect via the Cognos BI 10 and Analytics 11 Dispatcher, but we haven’t tried or tested it.

Q: Does the Senturus Analytics Connector work with TM1?A: The Connector is based on Cognos BI. Our partner, Motio, offers a TM1 connector for Tableau.

Q: Does the Senturus Analytics Connector directly connect to Framework Manager or does it use Cognos Dispatcher?A: The Connector connects to the Cognos Dispatcher.

Using Cognos as a Data Source for Tableau Questions Log


Q: Will the Senturus Analytics Connector connect to Transformer Cube MDC files or cube packages? A: The Connector will connect to the cube package.

Q: Is there a version for Qlik using the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: Unfortunately, not today, but maybe in the future.

Q: Does the Senturus Analytics Connector support both exports and live? A: Yes, extracts and live connections are both supported.

Q: Does the Senturus Analytics Connector need to be installed on the Cognos and Tableau Servers? A: No, just the Tableau Desktop or Tableau Server. There is nothing on the Cognos side.



Q: Are there any Server sizing requirements in using the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: Not specifically, you would size per Cognos and/or Tableau guidelines, treating the Connector users as interactive Cognos users.

Q: Do SAS and BPC data sources connect to Tableau? A: SAS datasets can be accessed by Tableau, BPC sources cannot.

Q: Does the Senturus Analytics Connector support data modules and data sets in Cognos Analytics?A: Currently it does not, only packages.

Q: Does the Cognos Server need to be running for Tableau to work with the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: Yes, if you’re connecting in live mode.



Q: Do I have to create all the joins in Tableau again or does the Senturus Analytics Connector use joins from Cognos Framework Manager? A: You do not have to recreate joins, they will be handled by Cognos.

Q: Can we have multiple Framework Manager fact tables pulled into Tableau via the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: Yes, the general rule is if it will run in Cognos, the Connector will process it.

Q: What kind of performance do you see going directly to the database using the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: The Connector will have roughly the same performance as Cognos.



Q: Does the Senturus Analytics Connector affect the performance of the Cognos BI environment?A: Yes, the Connector runs queries against Cognos so Connector users should be treated like interactive users on the Cognos system.

Q: How do we preview the SQL in Tableau when using the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: You can use “Performance Recorder” or view the logs in Tableau. The Connector has a parameter which will log the SQL and the Connector.

Q: Where are logs saved on the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: The logs are saved to the Connector’s installation directory.



Q: Would a Cognos set timeout, impact Tableau users when using the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: Potentially, if Cognos times out before the results are returned, then the Connector will fail.

Q: If we use a Dynamic Cube package in Tableau with the Senturus Analytics Connector will both systems, Tableau and Cognos, be impacted? A: Yes, there will be a load placed on both systems, but mostly on Cognos.

Q: Is using the Senturus Analytics Connector secure so that the data in transit between the Connector and Cognos is encrypted?A: Yes, that is one of the Connector’s most valuable aspects, its ability to keep information secure.



Q: Do extracts from Cognos also include the security from Cognos?A: Extracts will include security applied to users creating the extract. Any additional security would need to be manually added using Tableau user/group filters.

Q: If we took the two-week test drive with the Senturus Analytics Connector, could we use my company’s data or would we use dummy data?A: You could use your own data during the test drive to give you an authentic experience.

Q: If we took the two-week test drive, can we install the Senturus Analytics Connector or does someone from Senturus need to configure it?A: We will do a guided POC with you. The Connector is straightforward as long as you’ve met the prerequisites.



Q: What version of Cognos data source is used by the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: The Connector supports Cognos BI 10.x and Cognos Analytics 11.x.

Q: Where can I get the deck from this webinar? A: On our website at: http://www.senturus.com/resources/using-cognos-as-a-data-source-for-tableau/.

Q: How does the licensing work for the Senturus Analytics Connector?A: Tableau Desktop users pay $200 per user for the first year and 25% of year one for year two and beyond. Tableau Server users pay $100 per user or $40,000 for eight cores for the first year and 25% of year one for year two and beyond. A minimum purchase of $10,000 for a combination of the desktop and server is required. Senturus also offers volume discounts.






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



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Data & Analytics

Using Cognos as a Data Source for Tableau: Fast, Accurate & Secure Analytics