List of Popular IBM Cognos BI and PM Books/Titles

Hello All

Here is a list of popular books/titles on IBM Cognos 8/10 BI Suite, in no particular sequence. Hope they are helpful to you all, together at a single location.

1. IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence: The Official Guide [Paperback]
Author        : Dan Volitich
List Price     : INR 695.00
Discounted Price: INR 556.00
You Save    : INR 139.0
US Link  UK Link

2. IBM Cognos Business Intelligence 10: The Official Guide [Paperback]
Author(s)    :  Dan Volitich & Gerard Ruppert
List Price     : INR 795.00
Discounted Price: INR 636.00
You Save    : INR 159.00
US Link  UK Link

3. IBM Cognos Business Intelligence v10: The Complete Guide [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Sangeeta Gautam
List Price    : INR 3,768.00
US Link  UK Link

4. IBM Cognos 10 Business Intelligence [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Dustin Adkison
List Price    : INR 4,317.00
US Link  UK Link

5. IBM Cognos Business Intelligence V10.1 Handbook [Paperback]
Author       :  Dean Browne
List Price    : INR 638.00
US Link  UK Link

6. IBM Cognos 8 Report Studio Cookbook
Author       : Abhishek Sanghani
List Price    : INR 425.00
Discounted Price: INR 350.00
You Save    : INR 75.00
US Link UK Link

7. 10 Core Principles of Report Studio Development
Author       : Ray Hogan
US Link UK Link

8. 10 Hard to Learn Tips for Becoming an Advanced Report Studio Developer
Author       : Ray Hogan
US Link UK Link


9. IBM Cognos Dynamic Cubes
US Link UK Link
Also available as a download on IBM® Redbooks® portal here.

10. Leveraging IBM Cognos 8 Bi for Linux on IBM System Z
US Link, UK Link
Also available as a download on IBM® Redbooks® portal here.

11. Cognos 8 BI for Consumers [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Juan A Padilla
List Price    : INR 1,562.00
US Link  UK Link  

12. Exploiting IBM PowerVM Virtualization Features With IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence
US Link  UK Link

13. IBM Cognos 10 Framework Manager [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Andy Penver, Terry Curran
List Price    : INR 2,373.00
US Link  UK Link

14. IBM Cognos Business Intelligence 10.1 Dashboarding Cookbook [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Ankit Garg
List Price    : INR 2,894.00
US Link  UK Link

15. IBM Cognos Insight [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Sanjeev Datta
List Price    : INR 1,689.00
US Link  UK Link

16. IBM Cognos 10 Report Studio: Practical Examples (Practical Examples Book/CD Rom) [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Filip Draskovic, Roger Johnson
List Price    : INR 1,689.00
US Link  UK Link

17. IBM Cognos TM1 The Official Guide [Paperback]
Author       : Karsten Oehler, Jochen Gruenes, Christopher Ilacqua
List Price    : INR 636.00
US Link  UK Link

 18. IBM Cognos TM1 Cookbook [Paperback]
Author       : Ankit Garg
List Price    : INR 775.00
US Link  UK Link

19. IBM Cognos TM1 Developer's Certification Guide [Paperback]
Author       : James D. Miller
List Price    : INR 338.00
US Link  UK Link

20. IBM Cognos 8 Planning [Paperback]
Author       : Jason Edwards, Rich Babaran, Ned Riaz
List Price    : INR 650.00
Discounted Price: INR 525.00
You Save    : INR 125.00
US Link  UK Link

21. IBM Business Analytics and Cloud Computing: Best Practices for Deploying Cognos Business Intelligence to the IBM Cloud [Import] [Paperback]
Author       : Anant Jhingran, Stephan Jou, William Lee, Thanh Pham, Biraj Saha
List Price    : INR 1,074.00
US Link  UK Link


I will try and keep adding more useful books as I come across them. Please post info about any good books you are aware of.

Note: While you are on the site, please share your feedback on each of the books.

Test COG-132: IBM Cognos 8 BI Metadata Model Developer

Hi Friends,

I am going to start a series of posts listing sample IBM Cognos certification questions.

You can find all the info about this exam here.

1. Which of the following data structures typically contain normalized data?
A. Cube
B. Flat file
C. Operational
D. Star schema
Answer: C

2. What does a star schema database structure typically consist of?
A. De-normalized hierarchy of dimension tables and fact tables.
B. Normalized dimension tables and detailed fact tables.
C. Normalized dimension tables and summarized fact tables.
D. De-normalized dimension tables and fact tables.
Answer: D

3. Which of the following is true of an OLAP data structure?
A. Comprised of normalized dimension and fact tables.
B. Organizes dimension tables into hierarchies and levels.
C. Allows "real time" analysis against disparate data sources.
D. Cardinality between tables is typically configured as inner joins.
Answer: B

4. In Cognos 8, what are the two distinct model types authors can work with?
A. OLAP and DMR
B. Dimensional and DMR
C. Relational and SAP BW
D. Relational and Dimensional
Answer: D

5.Which of the following objects in the Framework Manager environment acts as a container and provides a unique name for objects?
A. model
B. query item
C. namespace
D. query subject
Answer: C

6. What question should a data modeler answer before accepting this proposed operational data structure?
A. Should all three tables be consolidated into one?
B. Should the cardinalities between the tables be reversed?
C. Are Branch and Employee dimension tables or fact tables?
D. Is there a direct relationship between Branch and Employee?
Answer: D

7. Which of the following objects in the Framework Manager environment acts as a container and provides a unique name for objects?
A. model
B. query item
C. namespace
D. query subject
Answer: C

8. Which of the following is true regarding the operational data structure illustrated below?
A. It illustrates a parallel relationship.
B. It should be consolidated into one table.
C. It should be examined for a connection trap.
D. The cardinality between the tables should be reversed.
Answer: C

9. In a transitive relationship scenario, what problems exist when reporting from the tables below?
A. The Order table must be included in each query.
B. The Order Detail table has conflicting cardinalities.
C. Outer joins are generated when querying from Customer.
D. There is more than one possible path between the tables.
Answer: D

10. A recursive relationship exists between SALES_STAFF_CODE and MANAGER_CODE in the SALES_STAFF data source query subject. This query subject is provided in a model to report authors. Using this query subject alone, report authors cannot create a report that includes management staff and the sales staff that report to them. How can the existing recursive
relationship in the model be modified to provide this ability to report authors?
A. Import a query subject that does not contain a recursive relationship.
B. Create a star schema grouping that contains the SALES_STAFF data source query subject and a shortcut to the SALES_STAFF data source query subject.
C. Create a model query subject with the appropriate relationship to the existing SALES_STAFF data source query subject and make both available to report authors.
D. Create a shortcut to the SALES_STAFF data source query subject, and report authors will use it instead of the underlying query subject to create the required report.
Answer: C

11. Which of the following are proven practices for organizing the objects in a project?
A. When importing metadata from more than one data source, include all imported objects in the root namespace.
B. When importing metadata from more than one data source, create a separate folder for the imported objects from each data source.
C. When importing metadata from more than one data source, create a separate namespace for the imported objects from each data source.
D. When importing metadata from more than one data source, do not override the relationships defined between the data sources at the time of import.
Answer: C

12. When a modeler imports metadata into Framework Manager, the Usage property for a nonindexed, numeric query item is set to which of the following?
A. Fact
B. Attribute
C. Identifier
D. Unknown
Answer: A

I will add more questions, as and when find them...

How to save XML spec of the Report Studio report to the local disk

Hi all,

Today, while referring to some forums, I came across the procedure (in bits and pieces) to save a XML spec of a Report Studio report to your local disk.

The screen shots below explain the process.

First the lfa.dll file available in Cognos\c8\bin folder has to be copied to any other folder.
Here, I copied the file to My Projects folder in My Documents folder.

Run the command at the command prompt: regsvr32 lfa.dll This will register the dll file into windows.


Security settings for the Local network zone are to be changed from 'Custom level'.


Change the Active X settings in this window to 'Enabled'.


Go to Tools -> Options.

Set the 'Allow local access' check box under advanced tab.

Select File -> Local (Save As)

Select a location to save the XML Spec file.


The XML spec file is saved on the Desktop.


Hope this is helpful to all who are trying to achieve this.
--
Sandeep
http://it.toolbox.com/people/sandeep8000861

How to import IBM Cognos 8 BI Sample Databases

Hi All,

A post after long time... ;-)

Today let's understand how to import Microsoft SQL Server sample databases provided by IBM Cognos 8 BI into Microsoft SQL Server.

Let's get moving...

First step is to create a new database in your Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Manager so that we can restore the sample database into this new empty database.

Right click on the Databases and choose New Database from the context menu.

Give the new database a name: GOSALESDW and click OK button.

The new database is created. You can see the tables node of this new database. A standard set on system tables are created by default.

Navigate to the path as shown in the below picture.

Uncompress the .ZIP file.

Right click on the newly created Database and select 'All Tasks' and then to 'Restore Database'.

Select the 3rd radio button 'From Device' and click on 'Select Devices' button.

Click on Add button.

Choose the path where the copied sample db file is available.

Select the GOSALESDW that you extracted in earlier step.
For convenience, I have copied the extracted database dump file into the MS SQL Server's BACKUP folder in MS SQL Server path.

The path should be similar as shown in below picture.

Click on OK button and then you see the dump file path under devices list, as shown below.

You can just have a glance at the 'Options' tab.

File restore process begins...

...and finishes pretty quickly.

As you can see in these pictures below, there are 66 IBM Cognos related tables, 6 views and 31 stored procedures in this new database.

Hope you enjoyed the post...!

Sandeep Pamarati

Installation Procedure of Cognos 8 BI Suite 8.1 Model

Hi fellas,

Now, Let's look at the Installation Procedure of Cognos 8 BI Suite 8.1 Model (for U).

The Initial screen.


Agree the license aggrement.


Select a location to install.
You can choose to install Model (Framework Manager) into the same folder where you installed Server. No issues here.



Ignore this warning. Click 'Yes' here.

Click on 'Yes' to create a backup copy of all the modified files.

Have a look, what components are being installed.

Click 'Next' here.

All the necessary information to install is gathered. Click 'Next' here.

Installation in progress. It completes in under 20 seconds.

Installation completed successfully.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proceed to Configure the Cognos 8 BI with Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

Installation Procedure of Cognos 8 BI Suite 8.1 Server

Hi fellas,

The Installation Procedure of Cognos 8 BI Suite 8.1 server for U.

Initial screen.

Agree the license aggrement.

Select a location to install.

Click 'Yes' here.

Have a look, what components are being installed.

Click 'Next' here.


All the necessary information to install is gathered. Click 'Next' here.

Installation in progress. It completes in under 100 seconds.


Installation completed successfully.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceed to install Cognos 8 BI Model.

Configure Cognos 8 BI Suite with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 with SP4

Hi all,

Today let's see how we can install Cognos 8 BI Suite 8.1.

The Checklist:
1. Cognos 8 BI Server and Model software
2. MS SQL Server 2000(with SP4)
3. Internet Information Services (IIS for WinXP)

The Procedure in steps:

1. Install MS SQL Server 2000 (SP4 is available here. Download and install the file name SQL2000-KB884525-SP4-x86-ENU.EXE, 66.9 mb in size).
Go to Start -> Programs -> Microsoft SQL Server -> Enterprise Manager.
Then, go to Console Root -> Microsoft SQL Servers -> SQL Server Group -> local -> Databases.
Right-click on Databases, choose New Database.
In the Database Properties windows, under General tab, give CM for Name and click OK.This will be our Content Store.
Check if a service is running with 'MSSQLSERVER' name. (Go to Start -> Run. Type Services.msc and click OK.)

2. Install IIS (Internet Information Services) from WinXP Prof CD.
Go to Start -> Setting -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs.
Click on Add/Remove Windows Components.In Windows Components Wizard screen, tick the checkbox against Internet Information Services (IIS).
Click Next and then on Finish.
New entries are displayed under Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools as Internet Information Services.
Check if a service is running with 'IIS Admin' name. (Go to Start -> Run. Type Services.msc and click OK.)
Open Internet Explorer, type 'localhost' and click Go.
Windows should display two IE windows. One has (http://localhost/localstart.asp) link. Another windows has (http://localhost/iishelp/iis/misc/default.asp) link. This is to check if the IIS is properly installed. Close these windows.

3. Install Cognos 8 BI Server.
Go to Start -> Programs -> Cognos 8 -> Cognos Configuration.
Go to Data Access -> Content Manager -> CM.
Right-click on Content Store and choose Delete.
Right-click on Content Manager, choose New Resource -> Database.
In the New Resource window, Give Content Store for Name and choose Microsoft SQL Server database (Windows Authentication).
Click on the Content Store on the left pane and fill the database name field with CM (this is what we created in step-1). Go to File -> Save.
Click on Local Configuration, then go to Actions -> Test.
Go to File -> Save. Go to File -> Exit.
This asks confirmation to start Cognos 8 service. Choose Yes.
Check if a service is running with 'Cognos 8' name. (Go to Start -> Run. Type Services.msc and click OK.)

4. Install Cognos 8 BI Model also into the same folder. It would give a warning for the same. Just ignore it and continue. No need to configure anything here.

5. Configure IIS.
Go to Start -> Setting -> Control Panel -> Adminstrative Tools -> Internet Information Services.
Then, go to Internet Information Services -> local computer -> Web Sites -> Default Web Site.
Right-click on Default Web Site, choose New -> Virtual Directory.
In Virtual Directory Creation Wizard, click Next, then type 'cognos8' for Alias, click Next, for Directory, give 'C:\Program Files\cognos\c8\webcontent'. This is where you installed Cognos.
Click Next, Allow on 'Read' permission. Remove 'Run Scripts(such as ASP)'. Click Next and then Finish.
This is what we use to access Welcome screen of Cognos. (http://localhost/cognos8)
Now, right-click on 'cognos8' (the one we created just now in the above step), choose New -> Virtual Directory.
In Virtual Directory Creation Wizard, click Next, then type 'cgi-bin' for Alias, click Next, for Directory, give 'C:\Program Files\cognos\c8\cgi-bin'. This folder is also available inside Cognos8 installation folder.
Click Next, Allow on 'Read' and 'Execute (such as ISAPI applications or CGI)' permission. Remove 'Run Scripts(such as ASP)'. Click Next and then Finish.

Try accessing http://localhost/cognos8 from internet explorer(Firefox gave me problem, though! A couple of studios went missing in Cognos Connection).

Try opening Framework Manager also.( From Start -> Programs -> Cognos -> Framework Manager.)

That's it. ;-)