Item: IBM Cognos Analytics
Rating: 8
Author: Miguel Angel Merino Vega

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We provide BI modules for our clients. Sometimes we create the module (if the requirement is not very demanding). Sometimes we leave the work to the experts in the field. And the pioneer and high visionary in the field is without a doubt IBM with IBM Cognos. IBM Cognos provide an immersion to BI for technical users (query studio, report studio) and managers (analysis studio, event studio).

Pros and Cons

All in one Platform, with IBM integration capacities
Easy to use for directors and managers
Large user base
Relativity lower prices than the competition

The limited complexity of data analysis
Lower customer experience
Slow upgrades compared to competitors

Alternatives Considered

Tableau Desktop, Tableau Online, Tableau Server, Microsoft BI and QlikView

IBM is a titan in BI innovation but has arduous competitors as I mentioned before. IBM has prestige in BI and the directors and managers know that. On the other hand, complexity is not the strategy of Cognos, that's why if you need big cubes of data, Tableau, and Microsoft BI are better suited for the job. Even QlikView is more complex than IBM Cognos. On the other hand, your users can benefit from the advantages that set analysis studio and event studio for notifications.

Data Integration

You can add a high variety of data sources via Cognos Administration. This feature is easy to set and use and can save a lot of time and stress unless you want to fight to console commands. It also has a good performance both in sync and async mode.

Collaboration and Sharing

It has a good sharing strategy for most reports and dashboards. Both the exports documents as the online view are easy to format and control. No need to pass through a large learning curve. That's good about Cognos: its simplicity for basic users.

Other Software Used

QlikView, Microsoft BI, Tableau Desktop, Tableau Online, Tableau Online

Likelihood to Recommend

For non-technical users like managers or directors, IBM Cognos is beautiful, easy to learn and use. But if you want complex cubes or data analysis outside the box, you could prefer Tableau or Microsoft Power BI. QlikView is also good for non-technical users but the decision can be made according to the experience and use of IBM products. In general, if your client is familiar with the IBM ecosystem, Cognos will be very well seen for directors and managers.

Cognos of the Titan IBM for superb users

Modules Used

Overall Satisfaction with IBM Cognos