Use Alternate Data Sources for Cube Creation

One way to customize cubes for individual audiences is to change the source data. You can create two different cubes based on the same model, but alter the content by using different source files.

The structure of the alternate source file must exactly match the structure of the source file on which the original model is based. The alternate file must have the same columns as the original for it to be read into the model. Also, the alternate data source must contain measure values. Purely structural alternate data sources will be ignored during a cube build.

For example, suppose you decide to build cubes for different sales divisions from different source files. In all cases, you can use the same sales analysis model. You use your database access component (such as Framework Manager or IBM® Cognos® Impromptu) to set up several alternate source files. Each file contains measure values, each is structurally identical to the source file on which the model is based, and each filters the data to retrieve values for only one sales division.