Do We Need seperate License for Cognos Impromptu & Cognos Transformer

[sairaochowdary]

Hi
our Client using Cognos Impromptu 7.0.554.14(version)
Do the Client Require seperate License for Cognos Transformaer and power paly?

Thanks
Sai rao Chowdary

 

[GJParker]

Powerplay Transformer is a seperate product requireing a seperate licence.

HTH

Gary Parker
MIS Data Analyst
Manchester, England

 

[Sagae]

May I shift this question instead of creating a whole new thread? While installing Power Play 7.3 we found 2 versions of Transformer. One in the "ppuser" download and one under the "ppadmin" download. The ppadmin version is more powerful and is more to do with Web.

So, do both of these versions of Transformer require the more expensive license? Or would the one under the ppuser download be free. (i have my doubts here )

thanks,

 

[Sagae]

Oh, I forgot to say that the version included in the user download is actually called Transformer (personal edition) and the version included in the admin download is actually called Transformer. In the power play help there is a comparison of the 2 versions.

The main difference I see is that the personal edition does not have Web capability and no Access Manager and no Architect Manager.

And again my base question is would the user version call "personal edition" be free. I have been trying to get my contract verified, but it is through a 3rd party and I cannot get any help. I find it hard to believe that it would be free, but our systech guys are arguing with me and holding up the project.

Thanks,

 

[drlex]

FWIW, our licence specifies Impromptu Admin, Impromptu User, Transformer and PPES as separate and distinct items. The licence (and support) cost of Transformer remained the same when we migrated from PowerPlay client to PowerPlay web; the change being only in the PP licences.
The only 'free' items could be the ancillary parts required with a chargeable product - Access Manager, Scheduler etc.
If your 3rd party reseller can't help you, might be time to find another who will.

soi la, soi carré

 

[GJParker]

AFAIK Transformer falls under whichever Powerplay Licence you have, Powerplay User / Powerplay admin.

HTH

Gary Parker
MIS Data Analyst
Manchester, England

 

[Sagae]

Thanks all.

Drlex, hahaha on another vendor. I am so far down on the decision making chain, it is like the unseen life forms in the ocean. lol

Well, I guess if I don't get it clarified by the vendor, the image guy will just install everything from the download on all 300+ machines. I might put a disclaimer in my documentation. Then just cross our fingers that we don't get audited. Our company is taking all the new laws very seriously and every step has to have a signature. I don't want to sign off on this step and be the scapegoat.

In the couple classes I took and in the documentation, it says the Power Play users create/read reports and only the Power Play administers can create cubes.

Poor left hand never knows what that right hand is doing. lol

 

[drlex]

Sagae,
Sorry to hear of your unexalted position in the 'food chain' - we've all been there at some point.

The price per PowerPlay user licence (client or web) is way under the cost per Transformer user licence, so a Cognos audit would hit your company for a BIG bill on 300+ users. I don't think there's much mitigation in pointing out the lack of use in 299 of them. On the plus side, the only audit I've seen was for MS software, so all other vendor's items were ignored. If your reseller can't answer simple questions that can earn them money, are they able to conduct an audit?

Practically speaking, what advantage is there in letting PP users have access to Transformer? It's not an easy application, and while you might think that users can make their own models and thereby save you time, you'll be spending more than that on Transformer support than you believe possible (unless your users happen to be M.I.T. graduates).

A successful Cognos system is one where there is an established structure - admins create cubes to an established timetable and maintain catalogues and access. If you've got every man and his dog creating cubes, chances are there'll be different figures for the same questions. Consultants make plenty out of overseeing a successful implementation, but then that's true of most complicated applications- consider any SAP roll-out

Apologies for the monologue - just passed a pleasant afternoon in the pub whilst awaiting a backup and de-frag to finish.

soi la, soi carré

 

[Sagae]

Hi drlex,
The only advantage is that the image person does not know how to stop transformer from being loaded on every machine. It is included in the download file and says everything in the download should be put on every machine.

When I load power play user manually, I select the default install and the transformer piece does not get loaded on the machine. Only about 5 people in the company could create a cube to save their soles. It can become a maintainence/education nightmare.

 

[KingCrab]

Then exclude it from the download and only give it to people on a need-to-use basis. Frankly, "image person does not know how to stop transformer from being loaded on every machine," is a sorry excuse for giving it to everyone.

If someone told me they gave everyone in the company access to a specialized program with the excuse they didn't know how to stop it they would be fired.