Check out this Cognos review and see if this data analytics platform is the right one for you.

Making use of the massive amounts of data that are flooding your company is one of the challenges. The goal of business intelligence has always been to make better use of data, which is what Business Intelligence (BI) platforms do. They gather and process data more efficiently, assisting businesses in understanding and visualizing data that will serve as the foundation for determining the company’s strategy and making informed decisions.

Data management and understanding are aided by BI platforms. According to Forbes, 95% of businesses struggle with unstructured data management. Another finding from DataProt is that businesses that use BI platforms make decisions five times faster than those that do not.

In this article, we’ll look at Cognos, one of the best BI tools on the market.

What is Cognos?

Cognos is an IBM web-based platform that provides many business intelligence features such as reports, analytics, dashboards, strategy management, and many more. It is intended to assist users in making informed and insightful decisions in less time and with greater accuracy.

This is ideal for businesses looking for a system that will empower them with data-driven decisions and self-service features that allow them to use and configure dashboards for better visualization and reports.

IBM Cognos provides a scalable platform that can be installed on-premises or in the cloud. It provides a wide range of analysis tools, such as trend analysis, what-if analysis, and many others, to provide more accurate results.

Cognos has the following basic components:

• Query Studio: This is used to create simple queries and business questions via service reports.
• Cognos Connection:  This ensures that all functions are included in the suite.
• Report Studio: This is where graphs, charts, and lists are created.
• Event Studio: This is used to notify enterprise events in real-time.
• Analysis Studio:  This is a collection of On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) operations used to extract or retrieve data for analysis, detect anomalies, and more.

What is the general problem that Cognos can solve?

Cognos enables businesses or users to build interactive dashboards that aid in making informed decisions and forecasting market changes. The software was created in such a way that businesses will find it easier to extract data, analyze it, and generate reports.

Today, this platform is critical for making business decisions, and the following are some problems that it can solve:

• Manual tasks take more time, require more effort, and are more prone to error. Cognos uses its built-in intelligence system to automate data preparation and processing.
• Cognos uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to forecast future market changes and create effective dashboards.
• Cognos employs Natural Language powered AI, which extracts information and makes predictions from raw text.
• Cognos enables the creation of interactive dashboards in a variety of formats that are tailored to specific business requirements. It enables users to present and analyze charts in the manner of their choice.

What makes it different from competing products?

IBM Cognos makes it easier to use its self-service features by allowing users to view and interact with reports on their mobile devices even when they are not in the office or offline. This BI platform also includes social networking tools that make team collaboration much easier, allowing businesses to maximize the capabilities of their members.

IBM Cognos is built on a solid data science foundation and is backed up by heavy-duty analytics. It combines a multitude of third-party products that make work much more efficient, such as relational databases. Its key feature is its highly interactive platform, which makes creating dashboards and reports easier.

Are you finding this Cognos review informative so far? Keep on reading…

Who is the product for?

IBM Cognos is designed to assist businesses in understanding their data. This platform can be used by anyone in the organization to create business reports, analyze data, create dashboards, and manage and monitor events.

Cognos is used as a BI platform by over 23,000 leading organizations, the majority of which are in the manufacturing sector, followed by the retail sector. Michigan State University, BMW Financial Services, Troy Corporation, and others are among their customers.

Integrations

IBM Cognos Connection comes with the IBM Cognos BI platform. This serves as a single point of access to the organization’s data for organizing, analyzing, and querying, as well as creating reports and events. Users of IBM Cognos BI applications can access it via the IBM Cognos Connection, which can also be integrated with other BI and web-based applications.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Full feature Business Intelligence Package
• Customizable interactive dashboards
• Allows data transformation
• Sandbox/test environments are supported
• Allows for the creation of shortcuts
• Multiple report formats are supported
• Active reports can be transported
• Accessible even if offline
• Provides in-depth insights
• Self-service analytics
• Security

Cons

• Active report files may become very large
• Auto modeling
• High enterprise pricing
• Limited geographical reporting options, such as map creation

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Pricing

Cognos offers several pricing models:

• Standard (Cloud): $15 per user per month

The Standard plan enables users to build powerful dashboards and animated stories, capture and share visuals, connect to and upload to data storage, and receive automated version updates. This is hosted by IBM and allows for plain language data exploration.

• Plus (Cloud): $35 per user per month

The Plus plan includes all of the features found in the Standard plan, as well as the ability to detect patterns, and anomalies, and perform predictive analysis.

• Premium (Cloud): $70 per user per month

The premium plan includes all of the features of the Plus plan as well as the ability to create pixel-perfect reports.

• Enterprise: Custom

The Enterprise plan or highest tier includes all of the Premium plan’s features, supports control access based on designated roles, can be hosted on the IBM Cloud or your infrastructure, and has a dedicated single tenant. This tier is dedicated to meeting your company’s critical performance requirements.

Conclusion

Cognos is a powerful BI tool that empowers its users with self-service capabilities powered by AI to accelerate data preparation, management, analysis, and report creation to gain deep insights and make informed decisions. This is an excellent web-based platform that can also be accessed offline via another computer or mobile device, providing users with a seamless, consistent, effective, and efficient service.

This will undoubtedly assist you in taking your business to the next level with more effective strategies and data insights.

We hope you found this Cognos review helpful.

Suggested article:

• Cognos vs Power BI

Check out this Sisense vs Tableau article and see which platform suits your requirements better.

Sisense and Tableau are two great software for business intelligence, data analytics, and dashboard reporting as they have an array of features and options that can be used to store, process, analyze, and visualize data.

These software companies offer similar deployment, capabilities, and tools that can meet the requirements of either small, medium, or large businesses. However, as they may be similar to each other, each software has its own special features that improve user experience and establish its own identity at the same time.

Did you know? Tableau came earlier than Sisense, as Sisense was developed in 2004, while Tableau was founded in 2003.

What is Sisense?

Sisense is a cloud analytics platform founded in 2004. Its main goal is to provide APIs for customizations to build personalized analytic experiences for any application.

It houses an array of features such as handling and performing a detailed analysis of large amounts of data using only a single server, solving business inquiries without any knowledge of programming and unification of data, seamless integration with web portals, external websites, and web applications, and consolidation, storage, and accumulation of data using a user interface without scripts. It also offers a library of widgets like gauges, graphs, and charts and can also embed dashboards and widgets.

Sisense allows users to export the data created to formats such as PDF, CSV, Excel, Images, and more. It follows a drag-and-drop interface that can run BI analytics easily. You can also learn to use it even if you don’t have prior knowledge about business, and Sisense works in real-time.

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a self-service analytics platform. It supports data discovery and exploration that enables users to answer important questions in seconds. It can also create reports by joining and blending different datasets. Also, no prior programming knowledge is needed in Tableau, which is good for users without experience as they can start right away in creating visualizations.

Tableau is available on all platforms, and provides support for building and visualizations that can help further explore data. Just like Sisense, Tableau has a drag-and-drop feature.

Similarities and Differences Between the two Platforms

The two platforms offer similar features in function to users, but these features often work differently too.

• Data Governance

Incorporation of Data Governance in Sisense works by having five main roles that come with default settings and access configurations. These roles are Data Designer, Administrator, Viewer, Data Administrator, and Designer. Administrators have control over the permissions of each role in Sisense.

Tableau, on the other hand, presents a solution using multiple models such as Delegated, Self-Regulating, and Centralized Models that depend on the IT needs and groups for business, the individual skill levels, and the settings for sharing of the companies’ data groups. Each model is flexible, and thus enables companies to adapt these models as they see fit.

• Additional Details

The two platforms offer natural language features that can explain data and answer questions about it. For example, Sisense Narratives, an add-on to Sisense, will provide English language descriptions that explain and give context to data in widgets. They also offer other features such as Boto, a bot for natural language that can be integrated into applications such as Slack, Skype, and Facebook.

Tableau, on the other hand, uses a connection to tools such as Yseop, Narrative Science and Wordsmith, to employ its Natural Language feature. Tableau’s Ask Data tool can be utilized to inquire about data, and make data decisions without prior programming knowledge or dashboard interaction.

• Power and Performance

Sisense uses an In-Chip mechanic where queries are broken down into blocks that can be reused and accessed by the processor in succeeding queries.

In order to do this, it uses the CPU of the computer instead of RAM. As such, it can work more rapidly than other tasks that run on disk memory and RAM, and Sisense claims that the more you use their technology, the better and faster it works. This is because a block is made with each query, and reusing data and queries lets Sisense build a library of resources to which it can subsequently run simultaneous queries.

Tableau, on the other hand, uses Hyper, a technology that is founded on morsels or tiny work parts. These then can be allotted to cores to work on data more efficiently. Hyper is designed for extracting, transforming, and visualizing analytics on high amounts of data sets. It can accelerate processes and such by multiple times because of this.

• Embedded Analytics

The platforms offer Embedded Analytics, which makes Business Intelligence and Data Analysis available to anyone.

Users of Sisense can use Embedded Analytics and connect them to applications by Plugins, iframes, APIs, or JavaScript. Sisense too offers a tool for visualization called BloX that provides customization capability support by JSON and CSS. This means that you can build your own application using Sisense.

Embedded Analytics for Tableau is done by either JavaScript API or iframes for the requirements of the company. Data Administrators can directly connect with data sources without the need to run SQL queries. Tableau also offers multi-tenancy, row-level granular security, and other security options for applications.

• Pricing

Sisense is available online and as a hybrid development. It offers an annual subscription option where the pricing varies between quotations and add-ons like Embedded Analytics, as well as Natural Languages. However, before you can use Sisense, you must schedule a call with the sales team of Sisense in order to get a custom model based on the requirements. You can also instead try a free 14-day trial for Sisense.

Tableau is available as a private, as well as public server. Versions of Tableau vary between user needs. Tableau offers six current versions: Desktop, Server, Online, Public, Reader, and Mobile. Tableau starts at $70 and varies depending on its use and add-ons.

Pros of Tableau and Sisense

• Sisense has excellent customer service and reports, unlike Tableau. More so, responses to user queries are prompt and informative, and there are also user communities that fellow users may refer to.

• Tableau is intuitive and easy to use according to users. Users are mostly satisfied with data visualization and integration to a wide variety of data sources and consolidation of information in one place.

Cons of Tableau and Sisense

• Sisense’s data modeling is not as intuitive as other platforms for non-technical staff. Users of Sisense often mention that the navigation and filtering on Sisense Mobile could be improved further.
• Sisense’s Elasticube’s functionalities are vulnerable to errors and are time-consuming, unlike Tableau.

• Tableau processes and refreshes data slower according to user reviews. Complex visualizations load more slowly too.
• Tableau doesn’t have great IT support and doesn’t consistently have software backup. It also has a poor report for after-sales.

Conclusion       

The choice between Sisense and Tableau will always be determined by the company’s goals, use, and resources. You should pick Sisense if you prioritize application-building features and integration of multiple tools in the applications you made. Picking Tableau, on the other hand, is good for highly detailed reports

IBM Cognos Analytics and Microsoft Power BI are the most popular BI and data analytics applications. Both apps are in high demand as firms strive to leverage the massive amounts of data produced daily.

A significant volume of data is submitted to data analytics, either from large datasets, social networks, database systems, or overloaded business systems. Instead of a small staff of business intelligence professionals gathering data, advertising, selling, and IT teams are now using analytics to discover the advantages of digital change.

Business intelligence software is already a must-have for companies looking to gain every possible strategic advantage.

Are you Confused about which Business Intelligence platform to choose for your Company’s data analysis needs?

If so, you might be considering Cognos and Microsoft Power BI. Both platforms offer comprehensive features that enable users to visualize and interpret their data meaningfully. However, each tool also has its own unique set of capabilities depending on the user’s specific needs.

Cognos is ideal for larger organizations as it can easily integrate with existing systems, making accessing all relevant data in one place easy. It offers a wide range of advanced reporting functions and sophisticated analytics applications that allow users to drill down into deeper insights quickly and accurately. On the other hand, Power BI is great for smaller companies looking for an easier-to-use solution at a lower cost since its cloud-based model does not require any complex installation procedures or additional IT infrastructure investments.

Read on and Compare both solutions today and decide which tool best suits your organization’s goals!

What is Cognos?

Cognos is an IBM business intelligence performance management application that enables professional and non-technical staff in any firm to analyze, obtain, and build interactive visualizations that help the Company to make crucial choices. The Cognos tool includes several systems that allow connectivity with various third parties.

The IBM Cognos platform includes self-service features and self-service analytical services that enable business users to engage with business information despite the absence of data analysis experience. In other wordsno other data-related knowledge is necessary with IBM Cognos’ self-service features with IBM Cognos’ self-service features with IBM Cognos’ self-service features.

The accessible findings aggregate data and produce consumer exploratory data graphs and graphics. Furthermore, self-service Business Intelligence lets users examine and display data without involving an IT staff.

What is Power BI?

Power BI is a business analytics tool that allows you to visualize data and provide insights throughout your organization and and integrate them into your application or website. The system consists of numerous goods and services, and the benefit and adaptability come from utilizing the different pieces and reaping the benefits of how they interact collectively.

Microsoft Power BI is often used to analyze and display perceptions based on a company’s data. Power BI can link to a wide variety of data sets and cleans up the information it receives so that it may be processed and comprehended more easily. The analysis and graphics created from this information may then be distributed to other users.

Similarities between the two platforms

• Category

While both are regarded as business intelligence tools, Cognos is further characterized as Integrated Business Intelligence software and Self-Service Business Analytics software. Besides the core category stated above, Power BI offers no further statements.

• Browser compatibility

Power BI and Cognos can be accessible via the web, which means mobile networks can also utilize themmobile networks can also utilize themmobile networks can also utilize them. Power BI now provides the capacity for mobile operating systems like Apple, Android, and Windows Mobile.

• Support for the cloud

Because Cognos and Power BI are cloud-based software systems, their data is conveniently available anywhere at any moment. However, only Cognos supports local data centers.

What makes one better than the other

Power BI can connect to lots of on-premise and cloud-based data sources. With its automatic progressive updates, you may access up-to-date data from Dynamics 365, inbound marketing, Microsoft Azure DB, Spreadsheet, and PowerPoint.

Data simulation models let you handle data more quickly. To swiftly modify, connect, and enrich your data, use the self-service Power Query with which many Excel users are acquainted.

IBM Cognos can link to various data sources, such as spreadsheets. It includes methods for automatically joining numerous data sources, resulting in more useful insights. An AI Companion tool speaks in plain English, allowing you to ask questions regarding your data and receive clear advice. To discover new interactions, use the Explore tool. Exploratory visualizations provide Automation findings in straightforward language.

Pros and Cons of Cognos

Pros:

• Using a variety of data sources.
• Alerts and scheduling.
• A simple and easy-to-use interface.
• Personalized encounter.
• Smart search is context-aware.
• Offline and online interactive data is provided.
• These advantages provide a compelling case for choosing IBM Cognos over alternative BI systems. IBM cognos connects to a variety of data sources and provides a comprehensive set of features.

Cons:

Along with the advantages of IBM Cognos Intelligence that are previously mentioned, there are also some disadvantages to be aware of. A complete overview is the best approach to determine whether this service benefits you.

• IBM’s expenditure on Cognos R&D is decreasing.
• The total cost of ownership (TCO) is greater than other tools.
• Forecasting powers are limited.
• IBM’s investment in Cognos R&D is dropping.
• It will not perform well with huge data sets with many variables.
• Cross-browser compatibility is frequently an issue.

Pros and Cons of Power BI

Pros:

• Affordable.
• Quick Updates.
• Data Availability.
• Individualized Visualizations.
• Integration with Excel.
• Interactive visualizations.
• Data Interconnectivity.

Cons:

• Users frequently complain about Power BI’s dense and complex user interface.
• Power BI is incapable of handling complicated interactions.
• Sometimes, your formulas work well in Power BI, and sometimes they don’t.
• Power BI does not give many possibilities for customizing visuals to meet your needs.
• Power BI is a collection of interconnected technologies you must learn and master in addition to Power BI.

Pricing difference

Power BI

• $9.99 per month/user
• Individual users may be licensed with current, self-service analytics, allowing them to explore data with live reports and dashboards and exchange ideas throughout the business.

Cognos

• $15 /User/Month
• $180.00 per user per year billed yearly

Tips for Choosing the Best Business Intelligence Platform

Data analytics platform selection can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you get started on the right foot:

1. Consider Your Business Goals – It’s important to have an understanding of your organization’s goals and objectives when selecting a business intelligence platform. This will help determine which features are essential and which ones are optional.

2. Evaluate Your Data – Company’she types of data you’ll be working with and how it needs to be processed is key when selecting a BI platform. For example, some platforms are better suited for structured data while others can handle unstructured data as well.

3. Analyze Your Resources – How much time and money do you have to invest in a business intelligence platform? Be sure to consider the cost of software, hardware, licensing fees, and maintenance when selecting a BI platform.

4. Understand Your Users – Make sure that the platform you select is user friendly for all users in your organization. Consider factors such as usability, training requirements, and security before making a decision.

5. Research Your Options – Take some time to evaluate the available options and read reviews from other users. Be sure to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of each platform before you make a final decision.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that you’re selecting the right business intelligence platform for your organization. Business analytics tools are essential for gaining insights into your data and making informed decisions. With the right platform in place, you can easily uncover hidden patterns and trends in your data that will help you make better business decisions and drive growth. So take the time to do your research and pick the best BI platform for your needs! Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cognos vs. Power BI

Q: Does Cognos and Power Bi tool have a geospatial mapping power?

A: Yes, both Cognos and Power BI have a geospatial mapping power. This allows you to easily visualize and analyze data on a map and analyze geographical patterns that can help identify new opportunities or areas of focus.

Q: Is one platform better than the other for assessing customer feedback?

A: Both Cognos and Power BI offer powerful analytics and reporting capabilities to help you analyze customer feedback. However, Power BI has an advantage when it comes to interactive visualizations as its drag-and-drop interface makes it easier for users to create powerful visuals with their data.

Q: Does either platform offer advanced data science techniques?

A: Yes, both platforms offer advanced data and science techniques. Cognos has a wide range of predictive analytics options while Power BI includes machine learning capabilities to help you uncover insights from your data.

Q: Do I need to hire a specialist to use either platform?

A: No, you do not need to hire a specialist to use either platform. Both platforms are designed for business users and offer an intuitive interface with drag-and-drop features that make it easy to explore and analyze your data.

Q: Can data discovery, streaming analytics and power bi reports server be used together?

A: Yes, data discovery, streaming analytics and Power BI Reports Server can be used together to create a comprehensive business intelligence solution.

Conclusion

Business intelligence software is already a must-have for companies looking to gain every possible strategic advantage. If you want to join the increasing population of BI software users, you won’t be disappointed with Cognos or Power BI. However, consider your company’s limits consider your company’s limits consider your company’s limits before deciding which software to utilize.

Although nothing surpasses free (Microsoft’s Power BI desktop), using the additional Power BI capabilities takes at least the Power BI Pro edition. On the other hand, IBM’s Cognos provides a 30-day trial that allows you to determine whether the product suits your needs.

Considering how urgent your analytical needs are and how detailed your standards are, you might opt to go through Power BI, which is less expensive, quicker to migrate if you’re an Office customer, and integrates with existing apps. However, if you’re intent on going deep with analytics, you might want to try out Cognos for free to evaluate what Microsoft lacks before committing deeper.