IBM Cognos 8 BI Transformer: Design OLAP Models (V8.4) SPVC

Overview of Cognos 8 BI

• Discuss IBM Cognos 8 and Performance Management
• Describe IBM Cognos 8 BI components
• Explain how to extend IBM Cognos 8 BI

Transformer Fundamentals

• Discuss the basics of OLAP analysis
• Review Transformer capabilities and its role in IBM Cognos 8 BI
• Discuss Transformer components
• Define categories and members

The Transformer Development Process

• Describe the purpose of a model plan
• Match business requirements to the model
• Discuss an approach for creating a model plan
• Review the relationship of the model plan to the Transformer model

Data sources in Transformer

• Discuss the types of data used by Transformer
• Create data source files and define properties
• Preview source data and SQL
• Add Cognos 8 data sources to the model
• Discuss Business Viewpoint Studio
• Discuss data filtering

Building a Model

• Create model structures and modify property sheets
• Confirm the data source origin
• Generate categories to populate the model
• Modify the model using the dimension diagram
• Verify the model and create a PowerCube
• Publish as a data source and package

Considerations for Designing Successful PowerCubes

• Describe model types and data entities
• Define members and member unique names
• Address changes that Impact a MUN
• Discuss when category codes can change

The Time Dimension

• Discuss the purpose of a time dimension
• Define a regular time dimension
• Examine standard and nonstandard time dimensions
• Limit the range of valid dates

Relative Time

• Compare trends over time
• Set the current period
• Create relative time categories
• Customize relative time categories

Use Multiple Data Sources

• Discuss the use of multiple data sources
• Plan the data sources
• Define data source types

Uniqueness

• Identify and resolve conflicts between data sources
• Validate a multiple data source model
• Discuss a unique move

Working with Measures

• Discuss the purpose and uses of measures
• Describe regular and calculated measures
• Set measure properties
• Compare rollup options
• Create a calculated measure
• Create calculations before or after rollups
• Create a category count

Allocated Measures

• Discuss measure allocation
• Allocate measures as a constant and by another measure
• Check measure distribution

Currency Conversion

• Apply and use currency conversion techniques