November 20, 2019

Are you still using Transformer Power Cubes? Looking for something to replace them?  Did you know that Cognos Analytics has an area to create Data Modules that may be able to replace some or all of your power cubes? As you know, Transformer Power Cubes have been around for a long time and while effective, also have some downside. First and foremost, they have to be built each night for latest data. Also, if you make a change to the structure you need to build them again, which sometimes is not very convenient to get the most up to date information.  They have size limits that may require you to create separate cubes for historical information or to breakdown into smaller chunks of data.  Read below to see if Cognos Analytics Data Modules can help you start to phase out Power Cubes.

What is a Data Module?

Data Sources

There are a number of different types of data sources that can be used in Data Modules. They include relational databases, Hadoop based data, excel, text files and other data modules. As seen below, 2 data sources are brought in and there is a guided path to allow you to create joins, unions or views of tables.

Modeling Options

Once you have brought your data source(s) into the Data Modeling area and connect the data if needed through joins you can do a number of things with the data.

• Calculations – create calculations through an expression editor using the data sources and built in functions.
• Filters – create filters on data through an expression editor using the data sources and built in functions.
• Navigation Path – create drill up and down navigations to allow a cube like dimensional experience with data through a simple to use drag and drop interface.
• Relative Time – Use preloaded calendars to turn simple dates into relative comparative time.  In essence, create YTD, PYTD, etc… through a simple connection to one of the pre-loaded calendars.  Use either calendar year or fiscal year.

Do Data Modules Replace Power Cubes?

The answer is MAYBE.  In some situations, data modules could replace your Power Cubes. You can model your data, create a cube like experience, relative time, add filters and calculations and secure the data for use.  One big item of note is there is no “build” of the Data Modules. The reports are dashboards run off the data module.  If you are connected to a data source package like SQL, you will not need to worry about updating the data.  If you are using offline excel or text files you would still need to append the current uploads with the newest data.

Summary