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Building Business Analytics for data architects using IBM Cognos Express

Date:  07 Oct 2011 (Published 26 Jul 2011) |Level: Intermediate ||

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1. Before you begin

You need access to a copy of IBM Cognos Express to benefit from this Knowledge Path. If you do not have access to the program, you can install an evaluation copy or access an online trial. The instructions frequently tell you to contact your administrator. If you install an evaluation copy or access the online trial, you are your own administrator. If you want a high-level understanding of Business Analytics, please refer to the Introduction to Business Analytics and Optimization knowledge path.

Download: Evaluate: IBM Cognos ExpressItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Knowledge Path: Introduction to Business Analytics and OptimizationItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

2. Get the basics of Business Analytics

Review the concepts of Business Analytics, what they are, and how they need to be discovered, defined, and revealed.

Watch: IBM Cognos Express demoItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Read: Using structured data analytics to make better business decisionsItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

3. Extend your knowledge of IBM Cognos Express

Get an overview of IBM Cognos Express, what it is, and what it can do to help you build an effective solution for managing, monitoring, and provide planning for the future using the IBM Cognos Express solution.

Watch: What's new in IBM Cognos Business Intelligence V10.0Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Read: IBM Cognos Business Intelligence V10.1 Handbook (chapter 1 and 2)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

4. Explore Cognos Express user tools

Find out how to use the IBM Cognos Express user tools, including how to install IBM Cognos Express Data Advisor, configure the ODBC data source, and create model definitions.

Practice: Installing and launching IBM Cognos Express Data Advisor Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Installing the Cognos Express samples(Before you can complete the rest of this knowledge path you will need to install the samples that come with Cognos Express.)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Configuring the ODBC data source(To complete this step you must have the database drivers for Informix installed on your computer. If not, then use the following demonstration to see the steps to configure the ODBC Data Source.)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Watch: Configuring the ODBC data sourceItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Creating a model definition in IBM Cognos Express Data Advisor (Also read Configuring a model definition in IBM Cognos Express Data Advisor at this link.)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

5. Understand modeling

Explore the basics of modeling, and then move on to advanced modeling techniques.

Read: Basic modelingItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Tutorial – Basic modelingItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Watch: Installing Architect(Before you can create a cube with Architect you must first install Architect. Use this demonstration to walk you through the steps of installing Architect.)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Creating a cube in Architect(Also read Creating or modifying a model in IBM Cognos Framework Manager at this link.)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

6. Perform basic modeling

Learn to use the tools to develop cubes that represent the core for performing Business Analytics.

Read: Starting the Express Advisor clientItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Tutorial – creating an ICAS cube in ArchitectItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

7. Access and analyze your data

Use the IBM Cognos Express Advisor analysis tool to access and analyze your data to better understand it in new ways, and to use ICAS cubes to perform Business Analytics. Also learn how to use ICAS to perform spreadsheet-based analysis using the Xcelerator and Xcelerator client.

Read: IBM Cognos Express Advisor: Features and benefitsItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Read: IntroductionItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Read: System overview (Read the System introduction subtopics in this link.)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Tutorial – Analyzing a cube in IBM Cognos Express AdvisorItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Installing Xcelerator client(Complete this installation before proceeding to the next section.)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Tutorial – Xcelerator and Xcelerator client(Omit the Tutorial - viewing a Websheet in Xcelerator)Item marked not complete - Click to mark complete

8. Compare the different reporting tools

Learn how to create reports using Query Studio and Report Studio.

Practice: Creating a report with Query StudioItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Creating a report with Report StudioItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete

Practice: Tutorial – Report Studio and Query StudioItem marked not complete - Click to mark complete




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  • Architecture
  • Business intelligence
  • Business modeling

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About this knowledge path

Create the information you need to manage the ongoing activities of your organization and plan for its future. This knowledge path helps you use IBM Cognos Express to create the tools you need to extract data and turn it into effective, useful information.

Activities in this path

  1. Before you begin
  2. Get the basics of Business Analytics
  3. Extend your knowledge of IBM Cognos Express
  4. Explore Cognos Express user tools
  5. Understand modeling
  6. Perform basic modeling
  7. Access and analyze your data
  8. Compare the different reporting tools

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