IBM Cognos Analytics: A comprehensive overview of the power and capabilities
IBM Cognos Analytics is a cutting-edge business intelligence and data analytics platform that goes beyond traditional reporting tools. Its AI-powered automation and natural language processing capabilities enable users to describe the data they need effortlessly, allowing IBM Cognos Analytics to build stunning data visualisations and provide valuable insights.
The platform offers many features designed to empower business teams and data analysts. By leveraging AI, IBM Cognos Analytics provides an accurate, trusted, complete picture of your business, forecasts future outcomes, and explains why they may happen. This comprehensive suite of tools enables businesses to uncover hidden patterns, identify trends, and confidently make data-driven decisions.
AI-powered automation and insights
One of the standout features of Cognos Analytics is its natural language AI assistant. This assistant is always available to help users describe the data they need, eliminating the need for complex queries or technical expertise. Ask a question, state a hypothesis, and let the AI assistant do the rest.
The AI assistant in Cognos Analytics can build stunning data visualisations based on user input. Automating the process of creating visualisations saves valuable time and allows business teams to focus on analysing the insights rather than spending hours on data preparation and visualisation.
Furthermore, the AI assistant can provide valuable insights by analysing the data and identifying patterns, trends, and correlations that may not be immediately apparent. This enables businesses to uncover hidden insights and make data-driven decisions with confidence.
Transforming business teams into power users
IBM Cognos Analytics aims to empower business teams by transforming them into power users. By providing a user-friendly interface and intuitive tools, it enables business users to leverage the power of data analytics without relying solely on data analysts.
This shift in power allows data analysts to focus on finding deeper insights and solving complex problems while business teams can independently explore data, create reports, and generate visualisations. Cognos Analytics bridges the gap between business users and data analysts, fostering collaboration and driving a data-driven culture within the organisation.
Dashboard look and feel
During the webinar, the speakers highlighted the significant changes in the dashboard look and feel in Cognos Analytics 12. The new version introduces a revamped dashboard interface that enhances user experience and provides a more intuitive way to interact with data.
The legacy studios in Cognos Analytics, such as the creative studio and analysis studio, have undergone changes. While they are still available in Cognos Analytics 11.2.4, they have been dropped in Cognos Analytics 12. It is recommended that users consider migrating to the new dashboard interface to take advantage of the enhanced features and functionalities.
Licensing models and pricing
IBM Cognos Analytics offers a simplified licensing model, making it easier for businesses to understand and manage their licenses. The primary licenses include administrator, explorer, user, and viewer. These licenses cover a wide range of functionalities, from exploration and data structure creation to reporting and dashboard creation.
The pricing of Cognos Analytics is reasonable and competitive in the market. With various licensing options available, businesses can choose the one that best suits their needs and budget. The webinar speakers emphasised that no hidden costs or additional services are required, making the pricing transparent and straightforward.
Support and training
IBM provides comprehensive support for Cognos Analytics, ensuring users can access upgrades and fix packs as needed. However, the speakers mentioned that IBM does not offer training directly. Instead, they encourage users to seek training from IBM business partners like Northdoor, who have expertise in Cognos Analytics and can provide tailored training solutions.
Northdoor, as an IBM Platinum business partner, offers support, training, and workshops to help businesses maximise the potential of Cognos Analytics. Our services are underpinned by their unique AIM methodology, which stands for Advise, Implement, and Manage. This methodology ensures businesses receive the guidance, implementation, and ongoing support they need to succeed with Cognos Analytics.
The future of IBM Cognos Analytics
Despite rumours of its demise, Cognos Analytics is a vital product for IBM and continues to evolve and grow. The speakers emphasised that Cognos Analytics is embedded in many IBM products as the reporting component, showcasing its importance and widespread adoption.
IBM is committed to further enhancing Cognos Analytics with AI capabilities, enabling users to effortlessly generate dashboards, reports, and narratives. The integration of AI, industry-standard models, and natural language processing will make Cognos Analytics more business-focused and user-friendly, catering to the evolving needs of businesses in the data-driven era.
IBM has a roadmap for Cognos Analytics, outlining the upcoming features and enhancements. While a public site provides a high-level overview, users can contact Northdoor for a more detailed roadmap and personalised guidance.
Free Cognos Analytics workshop
We offer a free workshop for new installations or upgrades for Cognos Analytics. We’d love to understand your needs and help build a plan with you to achieve your goals. This is an excellent opportunity to validate your requirements against our many years of experience at no cost or commitment. Northdoor uses our AIM methodology to run the workshop.
The agenda will include many or perhaps all of the following:
- Project Background
- Mission
- Goals – Long-term/Short term
- Critical Success Factors / Design Criteria / Volumetrics
- Status at the end of the project or phase
- Education
- Solution Design – hardware and software configurations
- Work to achieve the end of the project or phase
- Who will own each activity
- Milestones
- When does each activity need to be completed (and how much effort)
- Project organisation
- Risks and assumptions
- Immediate Actions
Please get in touch with Anjela Ubogu if you would like to schedule a call to discuss this offer further. We can walk through your priorities and start developing a plan of action.