Components and tools used by IBM Cognos Dynamic Cubes

IBM® Cognos® Dynamic Cubes adds a relational OLAP component to the Dynamic Query Mode server to provide a multidimensional view of a relational data warehouse. You can then perform OLAP analysis by using the Cognos Dynamic Cubes server.

IBM Cognos Dynamic Cubes integrates easily into your existing infrastructure by using resources that are already in your environment. Some of these existing resources are required, such as a Java™ virtual machine, or other databases for the content store. The Administration Console is used to deploy and manage the cube data. The dynamic query mode (DQM) server runs the cube data, and studio applications use the data in reporting environments.

In addition, various tools, such as IBM Cognos Cube Designer, provide dynamic cube design and modeling capability. The IBM Cognos Dynamic Query Analyzer is used to analyze and optimize the data as necessary.

Cognos Dynamic Cubes Workflow

The workflow for IBM Cognos Dynamic Cubes consists of five major steps. Users, such as the system analyst administrator, modeler administrator, or report author use various tools to manage and administer these steps.

The following steps are included in the workflow:
  • Analyzing the data

    Before installing IBM Cognos Dynamic Cubes, the modeler and relational database administrator determine whether the data is a good candidate for IBM Cognos Dynamic Cubes.

  • Designing and modeling a dynamic cube

    The modeler creates a basic dynamic cube, adds features to satisfy the business requirements, and ensures that the cube is available to IBM Cognos Administration.

  • Deploying and managing a dynamic cube

    After dynamic cubes are published to Content Manager, the Administrator handles the initial configuration and subsequent management within IBM Cognos Administration.

  • Running reports by using dynamic cube data

    The report author uses the dynamic cube as a data source in reporting applications.

  • Optimizing a dynamic cube

    To optimize individual cube performance, the administrator can monitor the metrics of the dynamic cubes, and change, if necessary, the cube configuration.