Course Outlines

Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports (Fundamentals)

Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports (Fundamentals) is a three-day, instructor-led course.

It is designed for professional report authors to learn report building techniques using relational data models, and ways of enhancing, customising, and managing professional reports. Attendees will participate in hands-on demos and workshops that illustrate key concepts while learning how to use the product.

Topics Covered
Create and format reports using different report types, grouping, headers, footers, and formatting options
Focus reports by filtering data and using prompts
Add value to your reports using calculations and additional report building techniques
Enhance reports with advanced formatting and highlight exceptional data
Author reports through Query Models
View related information in different reports
Examine Cognos Connection, personalise your portal, and manage the reporting environment
Set up drill-through access to reports and packages.
Intended Audience
Professional Report Authors.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of your business requirements.
Experience using the Windows operating system and a Web browser.

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Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports (Advanced)

Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports (Advanced) is a two-day, instructor-led course. It is designed for professional report authors to learn advanced report building techniques using relational data models, and ways of enhancing, customising, and distributing professional reports. Attendees will participate in hands-on demos and workshops that illustrate key concepts while learning how to use the product.

Topics Covered
Examine and edit XML in report specifications
Burst reports to email and Cognos Connection
Create relationships between queries (set operations, joins, query references)
Design effective prompts to determine report contents and/or format at runtime
Navigate reports using bookmarks and table of contents
Add HTML items to control the behaviour of elements in your reports
Set up drill-through access to reports and packages
Create agents to manage an event lifecycle in Event Studio.
Intended Audience
Professional Report Authors.
Prerequisites
Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports (Fundamentals)
Knowledge of your business requirements
Experience using the Windows operating system and a Web browser
Knowledge of XML (recommended).

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Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports with Multidimensional Data

Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports with Multidimensional Data is an advanced two-day, instructor-led course in which students build on their experience with Report Studio by applying dimensional techniques to reports created with multidimensional data sources. Through hands-on demos and workshops, students will learn how to author reports that navigate and manipulate dimensional data structures using specific dimensional functions and features available in Report Studio.

Topics Covered
Compare dimensional and relational data sources
Understand dimensional concepts and reporting styles
Create reports using dimensional techniques such as edge filters, slicers and filter functions
Navigate dimensional data structures using functions to find related members or comparison time periods
Create sophisticated measure calculations
Understand totals and aggregation
Analyse reports with drill-up and drill-down techniques
Configure advanced drilling behaviour to support complex calculations and dashboard reports
Set up drill-through access from one data source to another.
Intended Audience
Professional report authors working with dimensional data sources and who want to take advantage of dimensional functions and features in Report Studio to create complex dimensional reports.
Prerequisites
Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Authoring Professional Reports (Fundamentals)
Knowledge of your business requirements
Experience using the Windows operating system and a Web browser

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Cognos 8 BI Framework Manager: Designing Metadata Models

Cognos 8 BI Framework Manager: Designing Metadata Models is a five-day, instructor-led course that provides participants with knowledge of metadata modelling concepts for predictable reporting and analysis results using Framework Manager. Participants will learn the entire meta data modelling process, from initial project creation, to publishing of metadata to the Web, so that end users can easily author reports and analyse data.

Topics Covered
Identify common data structures
Gather requirements
Create a baseline project
Prepare reusable metadata
Model for predictable results
Create calculations and filters
Implement a time dimension
Create the presentation view
Create analysis objects
Manage OLAP data sources
Set security
Manage packages
Basic model maintenance and extensibility
Working with different query subject types
Identify generated SQL and complex queries
Optimise and tune Framework Manager models
Work in a multi-modeller environment
Use advanced parameterisation techniques
Manage MUNs and model for drill-through
Employ additional modelling techniques.
Intended Audience
Developers who design metadata models.
Prerequisites
Thorough knowledge of common industry standard data structures and design
Experience with SQL
Experience gathering requirements and analysing data.

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Cognos 8 BI Administration

Cognos 8 BI Administration is a three-day, instructor-led course that is designed to teach new administrators the fundamental responsibilities of administering servers and content in Cognos 8 BI. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on exercises, students will set up a Cognos 8 BI system, implement security, and manage the server components. Students will also schedule tasks, manage and deploy content, set up package based drill-through access, and set up Cognos Office Connection and Map Manager.

Topics Covered
Introduction to Cognos 8 BI administration
Examine the Cognos 8 BI architecture
Secure the Cognos 8 BI environment
Administer the Cognos 8 BI server environment
Manage run activities
Manage content in Cognos Administration
Manage content in Cognos Connection
Additional configuration and customisation of the environment
End-to-end workshop.
Intended Audience
Administrators (system, directory, and content administrators).
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Cognos 8 BI and Cognos Connection, available through:
  • Cognos 8 BI Query Studio: Building Ad Hoc Reports CBT (recommended) or
  • Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Introduction CBT (recommended)
Knowledge of Web application server architectures
Security systems administration
Experience using basic Windows functionality
Experience using a Web browser
Knowledge of your business requirements.

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Cognos 8 BI Query Studio: Building Adhoc Reports

The Cognos 8 BI Query Studio: Building Adhoc Reports teaches business authors how to create, modify and organise adhoc reports. You will learn how to create and format different types of reports, highlight report items using conditional formatting, create filters to focus reports, and apply report templates.

Topics Covered
Overview of Cognos 8 BI
Introduction to Query Studio
Create different types of reports
Work with data in reports
Use conditional formatting
Format reports
Apply report templates.
Intended Audience
Business Authors.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of your business requirements
Experience using basic Windows functionality
Experience using a Web browser.

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Cognos 8 BI Analysis Studio: Analysing Data

Cognos 8 BI Analysis Studio: Analysing Data is a one-day, instructor-led course that teaches business analysts to navigate and analyse data in Analysis Studio. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on workshops, attendees will discover trends, identify opportunities, and learn how to make better business decisions. Participants will learn techniques such as ranking, filtering, asymmetrical crosstabs, and graphing to help them analyse large volumes of data (whether OLAP or dimensionally modelled relational metadata). They will also learn to manage reports through Cognos Connection.

Topics Covered
Overview of Cognos 8 BI
Analysis Studio Fundamentals
Tools for Investigation
Nest Data in Crosstabs
Build Advanced Crosstabs
Focus with Filters
Extend the Analysis
Manage Content in Cognos Connection.
Intended Audience
Business analysts.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of your business requirements
Experience using basic Windows functionality
Experience using a Web browser.

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Cognos 8 BI Metrics Manager: Designing Scorecards

Cognos 8 BI Metrics Manager: Designing Scorecards is a three-day, instructor-led course in which students will learn how to plan, create, set up, and maintain scorecard applications using Cognos Metric Studio.

They will load data from supported data sources using Cognos Metric Designer, as well as using alternative data loading methods such as flat files and SQL scripts. Students will also learn how to secure objects within the scorecard application, as well as the application itself.

Topics Covered
Cognos 8 business intelligence overview
Examine how to monitor performance with metrics and scorecards
Examine the scorecard application design process
Create a Metric Studio package and define the application environment
Identify integration points between Metric Studio and the rest of Cognos 8 BI
Manually create Metric Studio objects (such as scorecards) and enter data
Identify data sources, data loading methods, and how data is calculated by the system
Load data using Cognos Metric Designer
Use alternative methods of loading data (such as flat files)
Refine the Metric Studio application (for example, by creating strategies)
Set up application- and object-level security
Modify default environment properties.
Intended Audience
Developers.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of Performance Management (PM) concepts
Knowledge of scorecarding methodologies and applications
Knowledge of your business requirements
Experience using the Windows operating system
Experience using a Web browser
Basic knowledge of Cognos 8 BI and Cognos Connection.

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Cognos 8 BI Transformer: Designing OLAP Models

Cognos 8 BI Transformer: Designing OLAP Models is a four-day, instructor-led course that teaches OLAP modellers how to design, build, and maintain PowerCubes for use with Cognos 8 BI. Attendees will participate in hands-on demos and workshops that illustrate key concepts while learning how to use the product.

Topics Covered
Overview of Cognos 8 BI
Discuss the fundamentals of OLAP modelling
Plan, design, and work with the model plan
Work with data sources and build a model
Examine the time dimension and relative time
Use multiple data sources and address uniqueness
Work with measures and currency conversion
Create alternate hierarchies within a dimension. Advanced dimensional modelling. Customise cube content
Examine Cognos 8 security
Apply security
Maintain models and PowerCubes
Optimise and partition PowerCubes
Model for Drill-Through
Identify common data structures.
Intended Audience
OLAP Modellers who will build PowerCubes for use in Cognos 8 BI.
Prerequisites
Understand the business need for ad hoc queries and analysis
Cognos 8 BI: Reporting and Analysing Data for Business Authors (recommended)
Experience using basic Windows functionality.

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Cognos 8 BI Data Manager: Building Datamarts with Enterprise Data

Cognos 8 BI Data Manager: Building Datamarts with Enterprise Data is a five-day, instructor-led course that teaches participants how to move, merge, consolidate, and transform data from a range of data sources to build and maintain subject-area data marts. In the process, students will create a catalog and add connections to data sources and targets. They will also deliver fact and dimension data to a data mart through the use of builds and the dimensional framework. In addition, students will learn how to automate common functionality and handle complex data issues, such as unbalanced hierarchical structures.

Topics Covered
Examine the Cognos approach to data warehousing and the role of Data Manager
Create and administer catalogs
Connect to source and target data
Build and customise the dimensional framework
Create builds to deliver data to a data mart
Create conformed dimensions and manage dimensional history
Aggregate, merge, and partition fact data
Automate functionality using JobStreams and commands
Resolve common data quality issues
Create business intelligence from data mart data using Cognos 8.
Intended Audience
Data Manager Developers.
Prerequisites
Experience using basic Windows functionality
Knowledge of database concepts
Knowledge of dimensional analysis concepts
Working knowledge of SQL.

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Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 - Report Building with Impromptu

Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 - Report Building with Impromptu is a two-day instructor-led course that focuses on the practical application and in-depth understanding of Impromptu, so that report builders, analysts, and administrators have the ability to apply what they learn to their specific business environment.

The course teaches you how to create, organise, customise, and format reports. The emphasis is on standard and ad hoc reporting. You will learn how to meet the ever-changing needs of your user community and accommodate potential changes to source databases and organisational structures.

Topics Covered
Examine the basic concepts of Impromptu
Organise and customise the data in our reports
Build reports that effectively present critical corporate data
Improve the appearance of our reports through various formatting techniques
Create reports that provide answers to our business questions.
Intended Audience
Impromptu users who will be creating, customising, and distributing reports.
Prerequisites
Ability to identify your company's business requirements for data access and reporting
Working knowledge of the Windows environment, including switching between open applications, closing or sizing windows, and performing actions such as drag-and-drop, shift-click, and control-click.

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Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 - Impromptu Administration

Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 - Impromptu Administration is a two-day instructor-led course that provides new Impromptu administrators with the skills they need to plan, implement, deploy, and maintain an Impromptu application for users with a variety of reporting requirements.

Following a typical application development project lifecycle, you'll learn how to design and build an Impromptu application for a sample user group within an organisation. The course takes you through the planning process, from identifying your users, their data requirements, and the available data, to the actual creation of the application in Impromptu.

Topics Covered
Define user requirements and identify data sources
Connect to the database and create catalogs
Create and modify table joins
Create and modify folders
Create calculations, conditions, and prompts in the catalog
Manage user classes and user profiles
Maximise the performance of Impromptu
Create Stored Procedure reports
Deploy and maintain your Impromptu application, including dealing with changes to the database and the catalog.
Intended Audience
Administrators who will be responsible for creating and managing Impromptu catalogs
Experienced Impromptu users who want to upgrade their Impromptu skills to include administrative capabilities.
Prerequisites
Impromptu Series 7.x Report Building
Thorough working knowledge of both Impromptu and Windows
Understanding of database design and Structured Query Language (SQL) (recommended).

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Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 PowerPlay Web Data Exploration

Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 PowerPlay Web Data Exploration is a one-day instructor-led course designed to teach users the basic skills they need to view, explore, format and distribute PowerPlay reports using a Web browser.

Participants will learn to create reports, view multidimensional cube data, add calculations, and use graphical displays. The course also covers new functionality including the Cognos Connection portal, drag and drop within crosstabs, ranking, custom subsets and scenario dimensions.

Topics Covered
Cognos Connection and PowerPlay Web
PowerPlay Web Fundamentals
Tools for Investigation
Basic Exploration and Reporting
Add Value to your Exploration
Data Analysis
Custom Subsets
View Reports
Upfront Fundamentals (Optional).
Intended Audience
This course is intended for new PowerPlay Web users.
Prerequisites
Practical experience working with a Web browser, Windows 2000, 2003, XP or Windows NT, and company data is recommended.

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Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 PowerPlay Exploration & Report Building

Series 7 Versions 3 & 4 PowerPlay Exploration and Report Building is a two-day instructor-led course designed to provide participants with the skills needed to analyse business data and create reports in PowerPlay. Fundamental Business Intelligence topics are covered, along with the technical skills required to successfully explore PowerCube data in PowerPlay and to apply these techniques to create professional reports. To analyse their data, participants will learn how to drill through cube data, replace categories and measures in a crosstab, change the display to view the data in one of several graphical formats, format each display to enhance their analysis, sort, rank, and filter data, and create calculations. To create reports, participants will learn how to build a report crosstab, perform and add calculations, use advanced nesting functions, create subsets, and automate and distribute reports.

Intended Audience
This course is intended for Professional Authors who want to be able to immediately apply PowerPlay to bring multidimensional management to their own business environment.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of your business requirements
Experience using the Windows operating system.

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Cognos 8 Planning Analyst Model Building

Cognos 8 Planning Analyst Model Building is a four-day, instructor-led course that teaches application administrators and model designers how to design and build models for business planning. Participants will learn the data modelling process and participate in hands-on demos and workshops that illustrate good model design and best practice techniques while learning how to use the product.

Topics Covered
Introduction to Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst
Create D-Lists and D-Cubes
Load Data
Enhance D-Lists and D-Cubes
Distribute Data
Create and Distribute an Income Statement
Forecast Data
Automate Processes
Object Maintenance and Administration
Use Complex Calculations
Examine Advanced Concepts
Design for Reporting.
Enhance Functionality Using the Excel Add-In
Illustrate the Model Using Cognos 8 Planning Manager
Use Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst with Cognos 8 Planning - Contributor (Optional)
Use Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst with Cognos Finance (Optional).
Intended Audience
Application Administrators and Model Designers.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of your organisation's data and structure
Microsoft Excel.

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Cognos 8 Planning Contributor Application Administration

Cognos 8 Planning Contributor Application Administration is a three-day, instructor-led course in which participants will learn to build, administer, and deploy Contributor applications through the Contributor Administration Console. In particular, participants will learn how to develop the Contributor application (based on a Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst model), manage security using the Cognos 8 security model, perform administrative tasks, such as importing and publishing data, and deploy the application to the Cognos 8 portal.

They will also learn how to create events using Cognos 8 Event Studio, which will monitor changes in published Planning data. This course also contains a case study that helps participants further develop their skills as they create and administer a Contributor application.

Topics Covered
Introduction to Cognos 8 Planning - Contributor Administration
Build a Contributor Application
Manage Workflow and Web Activities
Apply Security
Administer Applications
Manage Data
Use Extensions
Automate Applications
Additional Integration with Cognos 8
Case Study
Use the Add-In for Excel (optional)
Move Data between Analyst and Contributor (optional)
Translate an Application (optional).
Prerequisites
Cognos 8 Planning Analyst Model Building

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Cognos 8 Planning Technical Administration

Cognos 8 Planning Technical Administration is a three-day, instructor-led course that combines lecture material and hands-on practice in installing, administering, and troubleshooting Analyst and Contributor. The course outlines how the architecture can be customised to fit into various infrastructures. Students will learn how to integrate Cognos Planning with other Cognos tools and how to implement security.

Topics Covered
Analyst Architecture and Installation
Contributor Architecture and Installation
Implement Security for Cognos Planning
Advanced Cognos Planning Architecture and Implementation
Use Databases with Cognos Planning
Automate Functionality in Cognos Planning
Troubleshoot Cognos Planning
Upgrade and Migrate Cognos Planning Applications
Integrate Cognos Planning with Other Cognos Products
Perform Unattended Installations (Optional)
Case Study (Optional) Review concepts covered throughout the course.
Intended Audience
Application Administrators and Technical Administrators.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of databases
Basic knowledge of networking
Cognos 8 Planning Overview (Recommended).

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