Process invloved in Cognos project

[Sasaya]

Hi,

I am learning Cognos almost by myself. I took training in Datawarehousing, but by the time I came to Cognos the class almost got dissolved and I ended up having half knowledge in Cognos. I have the software loaded in my computer and I am practising while reading the documents. However, I am confused about how the real time environment will be. Can any one tell me how the project starts and ends?, like when to use what tool in cognos suite. I am learning on Cognos Impromtu6.0, powerplay 6.6.

I understand I am asking for a great help, and I would really appreciate it.

~Sasaya

 

[DrSimon]

I'm not sure that I'm the right person to answer but as no-one else has, here goes.
Obviously it depends on your data source, but Impromptu is real time. Before you can use Powerplay you need create cubes using Transformer. These cubes are a structured static view of the data but there's nothing to stop you updating the cubes when you want. I have to admit I haven't used PowerPlay for a long time.
This forum is an excellent source of information for solving problems. The Cognos site is not nearly as good for that but you can download some documentation which may help.
Good Luck
Simon Rouse

 

[Sasaya]

Simon Rouse, thanks alot for your help
~Sasaya

 

[BruceReed]

Sasaya
As a further note to DrSimon's excellent comments, at my old place we updated the cubes (using transformer) every night, and when the user drilled back to Impromptu, the reports showed the up-to-date changes.

Impromptu is the reporter, and is live (assuming the underlying database is live). It is decent enough, but there are many vendors of reporters like this.

Transformer is just a tool for making cubes (don't let the end-users into Transformer, but you will need to learn it), from the Impromptu details, which are just summarized versions of the original data & allow you to slice & dice the the data in PowerPlay. You can also set up drill through that allow the user to drill from the datacube back to the details in Impromptu.

This is a VERY quick breakdown of Cognos can do. If you have more specific questions, be sure to post.

Bruce