As business analytics coaches, we are often asked many questions about what are the right IBM Cognos OLAP modeling tools for particular projects. IBM Cognos OLAP modeling tools come in a number of different options with IBM Cognos. Each modeling tool has a number of differentiators that, depending on your situation, may make it the modeling tool for you. Below you will find a chart that lays out four of those differences.
IBM Cognos Transformer (File-based MOLAP cube with pre-aggregation)
- Optimal to provide consistent interactive analysis experience to large number of users when the data source is an operational/transactional system, and a star or snowflake data structure cannot be achieved.
- Cube architecture that includes pre-aggregation is such that scalability requires careful management using cube groups.
- Data latency is inherent with any MOLAP cube technology, where data movement into the cube is required.
IBM Cognos TM1 (In-memory MOLAP technology with write-back support)
- Optimal for write-back, what-if analysis, planning and budgeting, or other specialized applications.
- Medium data volumes.
- Aggregation occurs on the fly, which can impact performance with high data and high user volumes.
IBM Cognos Dynamic Cubes (In-memory accelerator for dimensional analysis)
- Optimal for read-only reporting and analytics over large data volumes.
- Aggregate-aware, with extensive in-memory caching for performance.
- Star or snowflake schema required in underlying database (highly recommended to maximize performance).
Dimensionally modeled relational (DMR) (Dimensional view of a relational database)
- Easily create a dimensional data model over low data volumes in an operational/transactional system. Latency needs to be carefully managed.
- Well suited for complex security requirements.
- Caching on the Cognos Dynamic Query server helps performance.
- Processing associated with operational/transactional systems impacts performance.
As you can see, there are a number of IBM Cognos OLAP modeling tools and we would love to talk with you about your business requirements for a modeling tool for business analytics.  If you have any questions about this or any other aspect of IBM Cognos or Business Analytics coaching, please reach out to us at 813-254-2040 or email us at coaching@lodestarsolutions.com.