Item: IBM Cognos Analytics
Rating: 7
Author: Thomas Baker, CFE, MBA

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

IBM Cognos Analytics is used in the organization for reporting and analytics trends that come from the financial aspects of the company. Additionally, IBM Cognos Analytics is used to create dashboards for Management to monitor real-time performance and trends. The scope of this use case is the entire organization as it is used for period end reporting purposes.

Pros and Cons

Easy to use "out of the box"
Easily adaptive user interface
Automation solutions are very efficient

Uses a lot of the CPU of PC and can be only item running on computer sometimes
The error descriptions could be worded differently to help users find out what is exactly wrong with the report they are trying to write
Missing third party integration functionality that works succinctly

Return on Investment

Easier access to data and enhanced visualization models that allow the users to look at data in new and creative ways
More efficiency in creating Management reports that Management can use to make decisions
Enhanced collaboration: Rather than having 3-4 analysts work on individual reports they can come together and collaborate on one final product

Self-Service

These self-service capabilities have enhanced the company's activities by allowing the creators and users of the information the freedom to take an idea they have and run with it. They can use the AI Assistant to take their ideas and create a visualization that helps get their point across and allows them to truly show the data in a way that can tell the story they want it to.

Data Security and Quality

By allowing the enhanced security controls the company has been able to make sure that all relevant data is limited to the users that need it most and it is locked down appropriately. This gives Management peace of mind that the right people are looking at the right data and the risk of the information getting into the wrong hand is mitigated.

Reporting

I gave this rating because the reporting capabilities that I have seen are second to none. The data visualizations used since moving to IBM Cognos Analytics have made the data much clearer for decision makers and allowed them to make much more informed decisions. If Management needs a certain element added to the reporting, it is a very quick fix and does not require multiple iterations of rework to get the appropriate information together.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Excel and Workiva

In the past Management had used Excel and Workiva capabilities to create the reporting dashboards that were being used to make decisions. Since switching to IBM Cognos Analytics the Company has been much more efficient and decision making has been streamlined. IBM Cognos Analytics was chosen due to its reputation and data visualization capabilities and neither have been wrong.

Key Insights

Do you think IBM Cognos Analytics delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with IBM Cognos Analytics's feature set?

Yes

Did IBM Cognos Analytics live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of IBM Cognos Analytics go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy IBM Cognos Analytics again?

Yes

Likelihood to Recommend

IBM Cognos Analytics is very well suited for a large company that has users who are well versed in business intelligence and know how to create reports and monitor their necessary data to create a visually appetizing summary. This may be less appropriate for a smaller company that does not need the necessary computing power to bring together mass amount of data to report results/analyze trends and run analytics.

IBM Cognos Analytics Review

Modules Used

Overall Satisfaction with IBM Cognos Analytics