Cognos data modeling tools come in a number of different flavors and IBM has recently added some new data modeling tools, so as Business Analytics coaches, we thought it might be a good time to review each of them and explain a little about each of these 4 items.

Framework Manager is a metadata modeling tool that drives query production in IBM Cognos software. In essence, Framework Manager allows you to consume your data in the BI suite. You can build a relational model, as well as a dimensional model, or both! Simply build the model and publish the package and build your reports.

Transformer is an oldie but a goodie! Transformer allows you to create OLAP cubes or power cubes for consumption in BI and Reporting. This tool allows you to bring your data in and dimensionalize it and publish it to the Cognos portal and consume it.

Dynamic Cubes is similar to Transformer in that you create dimensional models. Dynamic Cubes were brought to market for the big data warehouse, typically 20 million rows of records or more, and use an in-memory 64-bit engine of dynamic query mode. One catch with Dynamic Cubes is that your data warehouse must be in a star schema or snowflake design.

Import External Files is one of the ways that is sometimes forgotten about and is the ability to add your own external data to a report. Through the studios, you can add an offline spreadsheet or other item to your report by linking the data to your existing data source.

As you can read, there are a number of ways to model data in IBM Cognos BI.  I hoped you enjoyed this blog and if you are interested in reading about Framework manager  packages for TM1 please click here.