Cognos Analytics November 2017 Enhancements: 11.0.8 Demos and Q&A with the IBM Product Team

COGNOS ANALYTICS NOVEMBER
2017 ENHANCEMENTS
11.0.8 Demos and Q&A with the
IBM Product Team

• Introductions
• Overview of Cognos Analytics Releases
• What’s New in R8
• Senturus Overview
• Additional Resources
Agenda
Copyright 2017 Senturus, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2

PRESENTERS
Copyright 2017 Senturus, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Nic Leduc
Product Manager
Cognos Analytics
3
Jim Frazier
VP of Client Services
Senturus, Inc.

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This slide deck is from the webinar
Cognos Analytics November 2017 Enhancements
To view the FREE video recording and download this
deck, go to:
link
Hear the Recording

© 2017 IBM Corporation
IBM Cognos Analytics
11.0.8 (R8) Overview

© 2017 IBM Corporation7
Cognos Analytics releases
• Continuous delivery for on premise and on the Cloud
• Contains defect fixes and enhancements
• Installs on top, it preserves your settings and configuration
R3 – July 2016
•Dashboard calculations and
filters
•Multiple packages in Reporting
•Interactivity in modeling UI
R9, R10 …
R5 – November 2016
•FM packages in dashboards
•Mapping and new
visualizations
•Infographics and nav model
•Embed and share content
•Portal customizations
R4 – September 2016
•Dashboard conditional
highlighting
•Refresh timer for widgets
•Portal theming and extensibility
•Storytelling
R6 – March 2017
•OLAP support in Dashboards
•Dashboard widget connectivity
•Mapping enhancements
•Storytelling enhancements
•Shortcuts and report views
R7 – August 2017
•New UI for Portal, Dashboard
and Modules
•Filter enhancements in
dashboards and Reporting
•Additional visualizations
•New logging framework
R8 – November 2017
•Default Run As
•Ambiguous connections for
dashboards and modules
•Image library in reporting
•Lat/Long support in Reports
•Kiosk Mode in Storytelling

Make the old new
• Default run action per report
• Access to My schedules and activities
• Ambiguous data source connections and sign-
ons support in Dashboards and Modules
• Ability to output a report as XML
• Auditing of Dashboards and Stories
Easier & easier to use
• Design mode in Data Set editor
Make it your own
• Image library extension
Communicate findings through Storytelling
• Apply selection highlights on timeline
• Kiosk Mode for Storytelling - Autoplay + Loop
See things clearly with viz enhancements
• Latitude/Longitude support in reporting
Closed 10 RFEs (Requests for Enhancements)
Highlights – R8

Content and Administration
• Default run action per report
• Auditing of Dashboards & Stories
• Monitor my schedules and activities

Reporting
 Ability to save and output a report as XML format
 Lat / Long support
 Design mode in Data Set editor
 Access to the Image library

Dashboarding
 Support for ambiguous connections
 Increased cap on data points
 Tables and crosstabs: 10K
 Maps: 30K
 Widget title is consistent across all viz
 Usability improvements
 Change viz icon now shows the currently selected viz
 Data point exclusions now stack and are tracked independently
 Auditing of dashboard usage
 User, asset name, source names, execution time
 New audit sample report

Dashboarding
 Audit example

Storytelling
 Apply selection highlights on timeline
 Kiosk Mode for Storytelling - Autoplay + Loop

Modeling
 Modeling diagram improvements
 Ambiguous connections support

New data server technologies
 Amazon Athena
 Spark SQL Thrift Server
 Azure SQL Data Warehouse
 MongoDB BI Connector 2.2

Useful links
 Main Cognos Analytics page + Free Trial
 http://www.ibm.biz/cognosanalytics
 Community:
 https://www.ibm.com/communities/analytics/cognos-analytics/
 Documentation
 http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0/
 Upgrade Central
 https://www-01.ibm.com/software/analytics/cognos/customercenter/upgrade.html
 Request for Enhancements (RFE)
 https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/

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Answers to Questions Asked by Viewers
During the Webinar
QUESTIONS LOG

Q&A: Cognos Analytics November 2017
Enhancements – Dashboards
Q: Why do dashboards in Cognos Analytics Release 8 work only for
multi-dimensional cube data?
A: Dashboards support OLAP and relational sources. If you are having
trouble using your source, please contact IBM Support.
Q: What are the plans for dashboard conditional formatting in Cognos
Analytics Release?
A: In dashboards, CA supports conditional formatting (color) in tables
and crosstabs. IBM is planning to extend this same capability to the
other charts as well as extend its set of features.
Q: How can we add more graph options to dashboards in Cognos
Analytics Release 8?
A: This option is not available at the moment. However, IBM is
planning on adding the ability for authors to add more visualizations
to the dashboard.

Q: Can I create a Workspace dashboard using reports in Cognos
A: Yes, in the same manner as in Cognos BI 10, minus the “Do More”
and the new report widget.
Q: Will Cognos Workspace Advanced be back in a future release of
Cognos Analytics?
A: Depending on the use case, IBM encourages users to use the
preview mode in reporting or dashboarding.
Q: Has the data cap increased beyond 10,000 in Cognos Analytics
Release 8?
A: In dashboards, maps are at 30,000, whereas tables and crosstabs
are at 10,000.

Q: In dashboards, can I create extra grid options or change the layout
of existing ones in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Not at the moment, the look of the tables and crosstabs are not
modifiable.
Q: Is it possible to format tables (font size, column width in
dashboards) in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Not at the moment, but it is something IBM is working on.
Q: Will there be any changes to Cognos Analytics for Microsoft Office
options? We tested it in C11 and noticed it's only supported for
reports, not dashboards.
A: IBM has no plans to support dashboards at the moment.

Enhancements – Data Modules
Q: Is data module auditing available in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Not at the moment. To vote to include it, complete a RFE
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/.
Q: Can data modules be used in Cognos Analytics Release 8 to access
Cognos Packages so that I can combine data from multiple data
packages in a report?
A: A report in CA can use multiple packages. You cannot create joins
between them, but you can filter based on the same filter parameter.
Q: Is modeling part of Framework Manager in Cognos Analytics Release
8?
A: IBM has no plans to merge data modules and Framework Manager
together.

Enhancements – Data Sets
Q: Can we make design mode the default for data sets in Cognos Analytics
Release 8?
A: There are no plans to add this at the moment.
Q: With the data sets, can I access two Excel files and join them or compare
them in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Yes, but you’ll need to create a data module first to define your joins.
Then create the data set from it.
Q: Can I determine the number of rows in a data set in Cognos Analytics
Release 8?
A: Yes, head over to the properties of the data set.
Q: Where is the data set data stored in Cognos Analytics Release 8? We built
our initial reports using Cognos BI 10.2.2.
A: Data sets and uploaded files are stored in the Content Store and extracted
to disk when accessed. Read this blog for more information:
https://www.ibm.com/communities/analytics/cognos-analytics-blog/where-
is-data-uploaded-into-cognos-analytics-stored/.

Enhancements – Images/Graphs
Q: Do images have to be a zip, or can we do *.jpeg in Cognos Analytics
Release 8?
A: At the moment, they need to be added via extensions. In a future
release IBM is planning on adding the ability to import individual files
straight up. This blog describes what is currently supported:
https://www.ibm.com/communities/analytics/cognos-analytics-
blog/new-sample-extensions-for-ibm-cognos-analytics-11-0-7/
Q: Please describe how to access an image that needs to be imported
in Cognos Analytics Release 8.
A: This blog describes the process:
blog/new-sample-extensions-for-ibm-cognos-analytics-11-0-7/.
Q: Can we restrict access to the image library in Cognos Analytics
Release 8?
A: No, it is open to all authors for that tenant.

Q: Are the image libraries stored in the content store in Cognos
A: Yes, all extensions are stored in the content store to make it easy
to deploy across environments. The images are then extracted to disk
in the directory mentioned in the JSON file included in the extension.
Q: How are the image library zip files created or modified in Cognos
A: This blog describes the process:
blog/new-sample-extensions-for-ibm-cognos-analytics-11-0-7/.
Q: Are the image libraries stored in the content store in Cognos
A: Yes, all extensions are stored in the content store to make it easy
to deploy across environments. The images are then extracted to disk
in the directory mentioned in the JSON file included in the extension.

Q: On the image picker, if I copy a report xml from DEV to a different
environment, I understand I will need to upload the extension. Does it
use absolute path only for the image and not the relative?
A: Its relative path points to the extension library. The path to the image
imported via the extension will be the same across all environments.
Q: Does Cognos Analytics Release 8 show alt text message for an image
and use custom color palate for a graph?
A: Yes, Release 8 shows alt text message for an image. You can use
custom color palates in a graph by using legacy charts in reporting. IBM is
working to add this feature in an upcoming release.
Q: Is JSON for image library extension available in Cognos Analytics R8?
A: CA uses JSON files for all extensions. They are used to identify the
details of the extension. JSON files containing data are not imported
though.

Enhancements – Location of Features/User Interface
Q: Is Cognos Portal back in Cognos Analytic Release 8? And if not, are
there plans to bring it back in a future release?
A: The new CA portal provides a much more modern and intuitive
interface. Although IBM has no plans on bringing back Cognos
Connection, it is still investigating ways to expose portal pages and
make them available in CA as your home page.
Q: In the past, the global default was "view most recent report. " Can
we globally change it to run a report in Cognos Analytics?
A: The global default is still view most recent report, there is no way
to modify this setting. The alternative would be to use the SDK to
write a script that would traverse the content store and flip the
setting on all reports.

Enhancements – Location of Features/User Interface
Q: Can we remove links from quick reference on the welcome page in
Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Not at the moment, but IBM is planning on making the welcome
page a little more flexible. An alternative could be to create your own
page and place it as the home page for all users.

Enhancements – Mapping
Q: If ESRI is not officially supported, will Cognos Analytics Release 8
map capability support the same functionality as provided by Esri?
A: Release 8 uses Mapbox, which offers a different set of
capabilities. IBM is continuing to bring enhancements to it to make it
better. For example, this release saw the addition of
latitude/longitude support in reporting. See the following article on
how to install and configure ESRI (EM4C) in R7:
blog/install-and-configure-em4c-for-cognos-analytics/.
Q: Are the new maps available in Cognos Analytics when using Report
Studio?
A: Yes, delivered as part of 11.0.7 (R7).

Enhancements – Mapping
Q: Is street level maps supported in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Yes, you can zoom in to see the names of the streets (this has
been in for a while now) and in R8, you can add points to indicate
latitude/longitude. IBM does not support geocoding using street
names.
Q: What's future for mapping in Cognos Analytics Release?
A: There are many ideas coming, unfortunately, IBM doesn’t openly
share its roadmap.
Q: I have few active reports using dynamic visualization map, can I
convert existing reports to use Longitude and Latitude?
A: Latitude/longitude are only supported in the new mapping
visualization (Mapbox).

Enhancements – Miscellaneous
Q: Where can I get the deck for this presentation?
A: The deck is available on our website at
http://www.senturus.com/resources/cognos-analytics-november-
2017-enhancements/.
Q: Will all of these features be available in the cloud version of
Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, these features are equally available on cloud and on-premise.
Q: Windows Cognos Analytics supports a repository database for
development without needing SQL Server, a database or Oracle.
However, Linux doesn’t have this as an option during install. Will this
change for future release?
A: IBM has no plans for this at the moment.

Enhancements – Miscellaneous
Q: Is the dashboard re-linking working in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Yes, if you are having difficulties, please contact IBM Support.
Q: Is it possible for Cognos BI 10.2.1 packages to be used in Cognos
A: Yes, you do not need to republish your packages after an upgrade.
Q: How does auditing affect performance in Cognos Analytics Release
8?
A: It does have a slight impact depending on your configuration.
Check out the docs or contact IBM Support if you have any concerns.
Q: When can we expect next Cognos Analytics release?
A: Release 9 is currently scheduled for the end of December.

Enhancements – Reports
Q: Can we audit use of active reports in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Event Studio or any legacy component work in Chrome and
Firefox in addition to IE?
A: You can find a browser conformance matrix here:
https://www.ibm.com/software/reports/compatibility/clarity-
reports/report/html/prereqsForProduct?deliverableId=2B4A13308DA3
11E7A1A213628837956C#sw-14.
Q: We’ve noticed users are only able to view My Activities in Cognos
Analytics. Is there a way to change it so that users have access to
features such as cancel a running report?
A: Yes, delivered as part of 11.0.8, you can see your activities and
schedule. From this interface, you can cancel a running report.

Q: In Cognos BI 10.2.2, we used deep copy for overwriting reports. It
was helpful to keep our schedules and outputs for a report. Is this
something that could be brought back with Cognos Analytics?
A: When you “move,” everything is kept together, including the
report outputs. Copies are considered a new object and do not do a
deep copy. There are currently no plans at the moment to change this
behavior.
Q: We had to buy Motio PI to use with scheduled reports that make
views. The views are what opens "view most recent report." Because
of this our users think Cognos Analytics reports aren't real time. Is this
something IBM is working on changing in future releases?
A: The ability to change the default behavior when you click on an
item has been delivered as part of R8. This will allow the report to
always run live, even if there is a saved output.

Q: Is it possible to change the size of the points without adding a
measure in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Yes, this is available in reporting.
Q: We converted our reports from CQM to DQM packages, but the
performance has not improved in Cognos Analytics Release 8. Is there
any way to improve the performance?
A: Upgrading to DQM is not a guaranteed way to get a performance
boost. It depends on your models and how your reports were
authored. See supporting documents or contact IBM Support for
advice.
Q: Is Cognos going to support the open source charting D3?
A: This is on the roadmap. It has not been assigned to a release quite
yet.

Enhancements – Studios
Q: Will IBM continue to use the old studios such as Query Studio,
Analysis Studio and Metric Studio in upcoming releases of Cognos
Analytics?
A: IBM has announced future depreciation of Query Studio, Analysis
Studio and Cognos Workspace here: Metric Studio has been
depreciated and not available in CA: http://www-
01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg22004042
Q: Are there any plans to depreciate Analysis Studio in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Yes, but no dates has been announced yet. IBM is not in a rush to
do so, it wants to make sure users have a good landing spot before
pulling the plug. This is also the case for Query Studio and Cognos
Workspace.

Enhancements – Upcoming Features & RFEs
Q: When can we expect latitude/longitude in dashboards in Cognos
Analytics?
A: This is targeted for Release 9.
Q: Portlets/portal tabs has been depreciated, even though they can still
be accessed in Cognos Analytics. They cannot be set as landing pages, the
customizations available do not replicate apples to apples
functionality. Are there any plans to address this gap?
A: IBM is still investigating and gathering feedback from customers who
depended on portal pages. IBM is exploring ways to make them appear in
Cognos Analytics to allow existing customers to leverage their Cognos BI
10 investment.
Q: Is there a way to copy the report path in Cognos Analytics Release 8?
A: Not at the moment. For it to be considered, vote on RFE ID 111823
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=viewRfe&
CR_ID=111823.

Q: Is IBM going to bring back Agent Views? As of Cognos Analytics
Release 8 they are a no-show.
A: This is not currently on the IBM roadmap. Please vote on RFE for ID
101210 for consideration in adding it:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=viewRf
e&CR_ID=101210).
Q: For My Schedules and Subscriptions, are there plans to add "Run
the schedule once" to a future release of Cognos Analytics?
A: This is not currently planned. For consideration in adding it, vote
on RFE ID 113162
e&CR_ID=113162.

Q: Is there any plan to get scheduling on the upload files in future
Cognos Analytics releases?
A: Not as of yet, vote for it on RFE ID 98411
e&CR_ID=98411.
Q: Is there a way to copy the report path in Cognos Analytics Release
8?
A: Not at the moment. For it to be considered, vote on RFE ID 111823
e&CR_ID=111823.
Q: Will we also be able to see more statistical visualizations in future
releases of Cognos Analytics?
A: IBM is planning on adding a few additional visualizations. Log an
RFE with examples of what you’d like to see at: http://www-
01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21641764.

Q: RFE 109431 requested the ability for organizations to set their own
default (like Run Report). It was erroneously marked as delivered.
How can we reopen this RFE?
A: IBM reopened this and changed the title of the RFE to make it
clearer.
Q: Can a story be downloaded or exported as a video or PowerPoint in
A: Not yet. For that capability to be considered, vote for it on the
RFE: http://www-
Q: Are there any options to see SQL generation in data modules in
A: Not at the moment. If this is important to your organization, vote
for it on the RFE: http://www-

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Cognos Analytics November 2017 Enhancements: 11.0.8 Demos and Q&A with the IBM Product Team

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