Versions 1.1 - June 2011. Revised discussion of dimensional modeling. 2 - November 2013. Added a complete script in tandem with the PeopleSoft 9.1 Upgrade. 2.1 – Summer 2014. Added NUIT Template 2.2 – Winter 2015. Removed discussion of data modeling theory and expanded discussion of available packages.
Context
Cognos Query Studio can help us… • Answer questions about financial activity that:
– Are not answered in canned reports
– Require analysis of large data sets
• Create custom displays of existing reports
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Presentation Notes
Cognos Query Studio is a report authoring application by IBM that makes query authoring accessible to non-technical end users. Whereas ad hoc reporting traditionally required the use of Structured Query Language (SQL) and data browsers such as TOAD, Query Studio requires no knowledge of SQL, puts data elements onto a drag-and-drop interface, and enables report building on a user-friendly “canvas.”
Objectives
• Navigate to Query Studio
• Tour the Query Studio interface
• Create AdHoc queries using Cognos Query Studio
– Given the question and data elements we need
– Following the method recorded in the training guide
– Using four important terms to describe the data
• Publish queries for collaboration and sharing
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Script is on slide. After a short introduction, we tour the Query Studio interface, practice using basic features, and then start building queries.
Where do you find Cognos?
Alternate access is from the FFRA Financial Systems Gateway at: http://ffra.northwestern.edu/gateway/
Access Cognosfrom the NUPortal.
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Find Cognos from the NUPortal. Whereever you see the System Login pod, click Cognos. You can also find Cognos from the FFRA Financials Systems Gateway.
Don’t see Query my data? • Request “Ad Hoc Query Author” on any FFRA Security Access Form
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Query Studio requires the “Ad Hoc Reporting” security access role. If you have that role, a link to Query Studio appears in My Actions of the NU Business Intelligence landing page. If you do not see the link Query my data, update your security access profile and select the role Ad Hoc Query Author.
Where do you go from there?
Select a report “package.”
Select:
• PS_EPM_ADHOC for NUFinancials• FAMIS_ADHoc for Facilities Management• InfoEd_Adhoc for grant proposal
The next time you pass through this page, your selection appears in “Recently used packages.”
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The first page shown when you click into Cognos asks you to select a package. Many folders are shown, but only three are available to Query Studio users: PS_EPM_ADHOC is for NUFinancial queries. InfoEd_Adhoc is for grant proposal queries. FAMIIS_ADHoc is for Facilities Management queries.
What is a “Package?”
• Cognos gives you access to data through a “package.”– Packages are mapped to “stars” in the data warehouse – Relatively simple interface– Click to insert…
• Data elements• Pre-built objects
– Filters– Prompts
• Onto a report canvas
– No SQL required
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Presentation Notes
IBM Cognos Query Studio maps “stars” of data to a “package” that enables you to interact with the data. Packages look like the one pictured here. The interface is simpler to use than data browsers. Specifically, they enable us to click, or double-click, to insert data elements and other pre-built report objects, like filters and prompts, onto a report canvas. Again, no SQL is required.
NUFinancials Package
• Ledger KK Summary star– Summarized financial figures– Pre-built calculations
• Ledger KK Detail star– Financial activity– Transactions
You may use one star at a time.
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In the University, we have two stars from NUFinancials, the KK Summary star and the KK Detail star. It helps to think of these stars in relation to the warehouse reports with which you may already be familiar. Think of the detail star as similar to the GL008. It has the irreducible facts: transactions, descriptions, and dollar amounts. Think of the summary star as similar to the GL068 or GL005. It has aggregated facts: summaries and financial calculations. Each star is presented to you in an expandable tree. You expand the tree to see the dimensions, facts, and elements. When building queries, we can use one star at a time.
Two packages exist for Facilities Management. The second, Adhoc 2.0 View offers four stars. We may use one at a time. Labor Materials Issued Misc Cost Cost Recovery
InfoEd Package
• Award Detail• Award Effort• Award Summary• Award Summary by Investigator• Request Detail• Request Effort• Request Summary• Agreements• E Forms
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Presentation Notes
The InfoEd Package offers a series of stars that organize data from InfoEd proposal development.
Method
In general, build queries in this order.
1. Insert and filter dimension elements
2. Insert filters and prompts
3. Insert facts and calculations
4. Apply finishing touches
5. Save, run, collaborate, and share
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Build ad hoc reports following this method. This method is repeated in printable training guides and rehearsed in hands-on exercises.
Where do I save my reports?
• Save to “My Folders”– Personal access only
• Save to “Scratch”– Collaborate with other authors
• Save to “NUFin AdHoc Reports”– Share finished queries with end users
• Publish at your convenience
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Cognos Query Studio works with Cognos Connection and the system of folders inside it. My Folders is the default location for you to save your ad hoc reports. To collaborate with other authors and make it possible for them to see and edit your report, save it to your school/unit folder in Public Folders > PS_EPM_ADHOC > Scratch. To “publish” your report and make it possible for clients and end users to run the report themselves, save it to your school/unit folder in Public Folders > PS_EPM_ADHOC > NUFin AdHoc Reports. You may publish your reports anytime without using Public Folders. Simply run the report in PDF, Excel, or CSV format and email it to clients or save it to shared network locations.
What are the roles?
Use the General Security Access form.
• Ad Hoc Query Author– Access to Query Studio to create, collaborate and share
reports
– Access to run reports (same as below)
• Ad Hoc Query Runner – Access to Public Folders > AdHoc Reports folder to run
reports created by authors
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If you choose to publish reports in Public Folders for clients to run themselves, those clients must have a security access role called “Ad Hoc Query Runner.” This role makes the NUFin AdHoc Reports folder visible to them inside Public Folders.
Resources
• Reporting Training Curriculum– http://ffra.northwestern.edu/training/materials.html
• IBM Cognos Help
• Open Labs
• HELP @ 1-HELP, Option 2
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Take advantage of options for training and assistance on the FFRA training website and inside IBM Cognos.
