IBM recently announced a major licensing change in their Cognos Planning licensing.  Clients that are on 8.4.1 of Cognos Planning and own Contributor, will receive an equivalent license for IBM Cognos TM1 Contributor.  This is great news for clients looking to compliment Planning with TM1.  Utilizing TM1 will require the purchase of the TM1 Modeler and TM1 Analytic server licenses.

However the fine print is that:
ALL clients must be on the Cognos Planning Enterprise Licensing Model to download 8.4.1, (regardless if you are using TM1)

What is the Cognos Planning Enterprise Licensing Model?

General Guidelines:  The following License Model numbers are considered Enterprise Planning Licensing:  (Each contract is unique and the specific terms of the contract prevail.)

D077BLL   IBM COGNOS 8 ENTERPRISE PLANNING CONTRIBUTOR
AUTHORIZED USER LICENSE + SW SUBSCRIPTION & SUPPORT 12 MONTHS

D0772LL   IBM COGNOS 8 ENTERPRISE PLANNING MODELER AUTHORIZED USER LICENSE
+ SW SUBSCRIPTION & SUPPORT 12 MONTHS

(Look for the word Enterprise in the description)

If you purchased Planning when it was known as Adaytum or shortly after the Cognos acquisition of Adaytum, you will probably be affected by this when you try to upgrade to 8.4.1.

What if I don’t have the Enterprise Planning License Model?
When you go to upgrade to 8.4.1 Planning you will not be able to download the version.  You may be able to download 8.4.0; but not 8.4.1.

What do I need to do if I don’t have Enterprise Planning licenses?
Call Lodestar and we can help you trade-up your licenses to get you on the updated licensing model.

Why should I trade-up my licenses?
This depends on how old your licenses are, but as a whole you are given great capabilities with the new license.  Some of you may already be taking advantage of some of the functionality of Enterprise Planning Licensing but don’t realize your current licensing doesn’t allow it.  Remember, it is your responsibility as a client to make sure you are in compliance, the software may not stop you.  If you would like to discuss your specific situation, contact Lodestar Solutions and we can help.

FOR EXAMPLE:   Years ago, Adaytum sold Planning on a Server + User Model where clients purchased a Server Planning license plus Analyst and Contributor named users. This licensing is usually restricted to clients to a single server.  If they needed more than one server, they had to purchase additional server licenses.  Over the years, Cognos Planning added the ability to easily add job servers to increase the speed for GoTo Production and Reconciliation processes.   Many clients took advantage of this functionality without realizing their licensing did not give them the rights despite the software providing for it. Remember, Cognos is the honor system.  Clients under these older licensing models should trade up to the newer Enterprise Planning licensing model that allows for a “reasonable number of servers”.  This would allow you to add as many job servers as you need.

How do I trade up my licenses to get to the Enterprise Planning Licensing Model?
Call Lodestar Solutions at 630-240-5853.  We can help you trade-up your licenses at a discount to get you on the updated licensing model.

Final Word of Advice: If you trade up your licenses, make sure you audit your support renewal bill in subsequent years to make sure you are not accidentally charged for both the old and new licenses.  Also, if you ask IBM to co-terminate your support renewal bills (making it so you have one renewal date instead of multiple), make sure you don’t use a prorated support bill for your next year budget, you may end up short in funds.

DISCLAIMER: THESE ARE THE VIEWS OF LODESTAR AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF IBM