Don’t Upgrade IBM TM1! Move to the Cloud!

Upgrade IBM TM1
April 4, 2019

Are you an IBM Cognos Planning Analytics also referred to as Cognos TM1 client?  Did you know that TM1 version 10.2.2 is no longer supported after September 2019. (See Lifecycle of TM1 https://www-01.ibm.com/software/support/lifecycleapp/PLCDetail.wss?synkey=W204762F30868K79-K079999J59975R93-U084379N88437X84) Therefore, your choices are to:

  • Upgrade which is time consuming and may require technical consultants
  • Go unsupported and risk Microsoft sending you an update that breaks connection like to Excl
  • Move to IBM’s SaaS version of Planning Analytics in the cloud

    • For many clients Lodestar Solutions is now saying, ”Don’t Upgrade IBM TM1! Move to the Cloud!”

    LODESTAR SOLUTIONS NOW RECOMMENDS IBM’s ANALYTIC CLOUD /SAAS OFFERINGS

    If you have worked with Lodestar Solutions over the years you heard us caution clients against the cloud, because we didn’t think the cloud was a viable, and cost-effective solution for our on-premise TM1 and Cognos BI clients.  Well things change and IBM now has a SaaS offering that should be explored by on-premise clients. 

    WHAT’S CHANGED IN IBM CLOUD OFFERING

    Wondering why Lodestar Solutions has changed their mind?  IBM has drastically changed their SaaS cloud offering for Cognos Planning Analytics (TM1) and Cognos Analytics (BI).  They changed:

  • The contract terms for the clients.
  • The contracts themselves are available all externally here:
    http://www-03.ibm.com/software/sla/sladb.nsf/sla/sd
  • The most important changes were done at the Cloud Service Agreement here:
    https://www.ibm.com/support/customer/csol/contractexplorer/cloud/csa/us-en/9
  • And the General Terms for Cloud Services here:
    http://www-03.ibm.com/software/sla/sladb.nsf/sla/tou-gen-terms
  • Their pricing models.
  • The software itself.  Now TM1 and BI clouds can play nice together.
    • CLIENT SITUATION

    A long time TM1 client called Lodestar about a month ago asking about IBM’s cloud offering.  They had a new Director of IT and he wants SaaS.  This client had a small deployment of TM1 but knew they needed to upgrade to the latest version, or they would not be supported by IBM come September 2019.  The IT director did not want to pay to have consultants upgrade the system.  Meanwhile the finance team desperately wanted the new functionality of Cognos Planning Analytics including the powerful dashboarding capabilities of Workspace.  For this client to get Workspace functionality they would need to invest in more licensing but did not have the budget for IBM licensing.

    THE SOLUTION

    Lodestar Solutions, with the help of the IBM representative, was able to structure a purchase of the IBM Cloud offering for Planning Analytics so that the cost to the client was slightly higher than the renewal.  But the benefits for the client by moving to IBM’s cloud were huge! 

  • They did not have to upgrade their on-premise TM1 because IBM handles updates, back-ups.. in the cloud (SaaS) for Planning Analytics.
  • They now have the rights to use Cognos Planning Analytics Workspace to create dashboard on TM1 data.
  • No Audits by IBM to worry about because IBM monitors the cloud and if you set up more users than you have rights to, you are billed for the overage at a higher rate. https://lodestarsolutions.com/what-to-know-before-ibm-audits-your-ibm-cognos-analytics-and-planning-analytics-licenses/
  • No Processor Value Unit (PVU) compliance issues. (What is a PVU https://lodestarsolutions.com/how-to-calculate-your-ibm-pvu-rating/)
  • No ILMT to install to monitor your usage. (More information on ILMT https://lodestarsolutions.com/cognos-virtual-environment-needs-ilmt-tool/)
  • A lower annual cost increase than they had experience with on-premise support renewal because they negotiated a multi-year subscription
    • RECOMMENDATIONS

    A couple secrets to getting the best deal on moving to IBM’s SaaS offering

  • Time the purchase so you have time to test before support expires on your on-premise version
  • Consider signing at least a two-year deal which is billed annually to get the best rate
  • Consider using IBM Global financing for the purchase.  They sometimes have promotions for qualified clients at a 0% interest rate.  Who doesn’t love free money? https://www.ibm.com/financing
  • Contact Lodestar Solutions to help you determine if IBM SaaS offerings for Cognos Analytic BI and Cognos Planning Analytics (TM1) is a good fit for you.  Sales@lodestarsolutions.com

    • So, are you ready to have your system upgraded?  Ready to use the amazing functionality of workspace? Let Lodestar Solutions help in in the process.  From negotiating a great subscription to training you on the new functionality, we have you covered.  Save time and money.  Don’t Upgrade IBM TM1! Move to the Cloud!  Don’t wait until your renewal to discuss your options, contact us today 813-415-2910.

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