BI Function | Series7 Technical Summary | Cognos8 Technical Highlights | Cognos8 Benefits |
| Architecture | · Client / Server based architecture
· Different architectures by product (E.g. IWR, PPES)
· Proprietary application servers and storage formats | · Open architecture built using modern Web standards such as XML, SOAP, and WSDL
· Single query engine for all BI capabilities
· Windows, Unix, and Linux operating systems all supported in uniform and mixed platform deployments
· Central relational database (Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, Sybase) stores all application content
· UNICODE architecture and complete multilingual support | · Support for simple or complex
environments with equal simplicity for
reduced costs
· Single query engine ensures data
consistency
· Simplify maintenance and administration
· Cover all end user information needs
· Supports enterprise BI consolidation
& convergence
· Deploy to department, division,
globally or to the extended enterprise
with equal ease |
| Metadata | · Different metadata by product
· Limit to 1 DB per model
· Not centrally located/shared | · Single metadata layer for all BI capabilities
· Support multiple, heterogeneous sources in a single model
· Enterprise Information Integration (EII) support
· Data caching and query governor control
· Impact analysis to identify query impact
· Import metadata directly from 3rd party sources | · Centrally located metadata means no
client side requirements, replication, or
redundancy
· Impact analysis allows administrators
to know exactly which reports will be
impacted
· Metadata import enables re-use
(E.g., Impromptu, Architect, Erwin,
Ascential, Informatica, others...) |
| Security | · Requires the use of Cognos Access Manager
· User information must be replicated in Access Manager | · Leverage existing security providers directly (E.g., Active Dir., LDAP, NTLM, Netegrity, Access Manager, custom)
· Authentication and Authorization centrally administered
· Supports multiple security providers simultaneously
· Internal data encryption up to 168 bits | · No required replication of user/pw
information makes administration and
maintenance easier
· Single signon with existing
applications enhances end user experience
· Different apps can have different
security providers |
| Data Access | · Impromptu for relational
· PowerPlay for OLAP | · “Open Data Access” strategy removes the 1:1 line between front end UI and back end data source type
· Report off any data source including: OLAP, relational, legacy, flat file, XML, Web Svcs, LDAP, Cognos EP and CF
· Perform “analysis” against ROLAP or MOLAP sources | · Supports numerous modern
standards and data sources without
coding or data migration
· Leverage Cognos or 3rd party cubes
with a common UI
· Hides complexity from users and
ensures consistency, integrity and
accuracy of information |
| Client vs. Web | · Client required for report authoring (PowerPlay and Impromptu)
· Content is published to the Web after dev. in client | · Zero-footprint, browser-based environment requires no desktop installs, plug-ins, or applets
· Enables remote access to the system; log on from anywhere for remote Web-based administration and report authoring
· BI content is consumed, saved and scheduled via the web | · No maintenance of end user
desktop software
· Point-and-click, task-based UI
improves user adoption, increases
self-service, and reduces dependence
on IT
· Deploy BI content and system
changes to all users simultaneously |
| Integration | · Different APIs per product
· API is a Web Services ‘wrapper’ | · Leverages an open application server (IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic, Oracle 10G, SAP, Tomcat)
· Integrates seamlessly with Web portals such as IBM WebSphere, SAP, Plumtree, and WSRP-compliant portals
· Single, fully published API (XML, SOAP, WSDL) | · Easily integrate into existing env. for
greater ROI
· Leverages your existing IT assets
and infrastructure
· Cognos8 was built using the API,
so all Cognos UI functionality (and
more) is available via the API
· Tight integration with MS Office fits
everyday usage |
Scalability /
Stability | · Single threaded report processing
· Fewer server deployment options | · Peer-to-peer, multi-threaded architecture provides a distributed environment with automatic load balancing, no single point of failure, and server independence
· Component-based, with the flexibility to distribute components geographically, across servers, firewalls, etc.
· Scalable to >100k users to support the enterprise | · Start with any number of users and
easily add server resources to scale to
larger deployments
· Leverage existing servers with more
deployment options
· Confidence with mission critical BI
application stability |
| Administration | · Misc – Different administrative consoles and tools for each product | · Administration can be centralized or distributed
· Multiple administrative product roles can be utilized
· Web based server tuning, administration, and monitoring | · Supports delegated administration
· Single administrative interface simplifies
admin requirements and efforts |
