Distributing Transformer components

Transformer can be installed on a computer that contains other IBM® Cognos® Analytics components or on a computer that is separate from other IBM Cognos Analytics components. When installed separately, Transformer can be used as a standalone product or it can be configured to communicate with other IBM Cognos Analytics components.

Transformer consists of the following components. You may have one or both, depending on your environment.

  • Transformer on Windows

    This is the modeling tool for Microsoft Windows operating system for designing PowerCubes that are used in IBM Cognos Analytics. It can also be used to build and publish PowerCubes.

  • Transformer on UNIX or Linux®

    This is a command line utility for building PowerCubes on UNIX and Linux operating systems. You first design the models using Transformer Windows or MDL scripting, and then use the models to build the PowerCubes.

    You install Transformer PowerCube building components for Linux on System z.

Supported features

When you use Transformer as a standalone product, you can use data sources that are external to IBM Cognos Analytics and you cannot create secured views with dimensional filtering. When you use Transformer with other IBM Cognos Analytics components, you can use the following features provided by IBM Cognos Analytics:

  • IBM Cognos Analytics authentication providers
  • IBM Cognos Analytics data sources, such as published packages, Query Studio reports, and Reporting reports

    You cannot use flat files as data sources.

  • the portal for publishing the PowerCube data source and package
  • building PowerCubes

Role-based server considerations

You may want to set up dedicated Transformer servers for optimal cube build performance and accessibility to the IBM Cognos Analytics users. In this scenario, consider the following requirements:

  • Database client software is installed on any computer where Transformer will be used to build PowerCubes or test data sources.
  • For data source connectivity, set appropriate environment variables for UNIX and Linux servers.
  • IBM Cognos Analytics servers have access to the location where PowerCubes are stored so that the report server can access the PowerCubes.

Building and updating production PowerCubes can be scripted and run remotely when sufficient access and user privileges are set up. For more information about building and updating production PowerCubes, see the Transformer User Guide.

Business analysts or specialists

You may have specialized business or power users who want to build PowerCubes that are modeled on a combination of corporate and personal data sources. These users may want to do their own analysis of the data for their line of business or a small group of users. You can enable such users to be self-sufficient within the IT and security infrastructure of the organization by meeting the following requirements:

  • Database client software is installed, or available for modelers to install, on the Transformer computers that are used to access IBM Cognos Analytics data sources or IBM Cognos Series 7 IQD data sources.

  • Modelers must have privileges to create a data source in IBM Cognos Administration.

    Modelers do not need direct access to IBM Cognos Administration. They can create and update data sources by using Transformer or command line tools. You can provide modelers with a secured folder in the portal in which to publish PowerCube packages.

  • Modelers must have access to a location in which to store the PowerCube after building it.

    This location must also be accessible to the IBM Cognos service and can be a secured share on a LAN.

  • To build PowerCubes on a specific Transformer server, modelers should have FTP privileges to transfer models and execute privileges to build cubes on that server.

    Modelers can transfer models and execute cube builds using scripts. Modelers can also use automated methods to build PowerCubes. For more information, see the Administration and Security Guide.

Configuration requirements

To publish PowerCube packages, you must configure Transformer to communicate with the dispatcher, either directly or through a dedicated gateway. If IBM Cognos Connection is secured, you must have privileges to create data sources and publish packages in the portal.

On the computer where Transformer is installed, configure the following environment properties:

  • Gateway URI
  • Dispatcher URI for external applications

If the modeling tool is using a dedicated gateway instead of communicating directly with the dispatcher, you must also configure the Dispatcher URIs for gateway property on the dedicated gateway computer.