Dimension management for Finance and IT

IBM Cognos 8 v4 IBM Cognos 8 Business Viewpoint is a data modeling environment that gives business and financial analysts the ability to maintain, govern, and share the data models they need to optimize business performance. Users can capture and manage multiple hierarchies, structures, and definitions in a centralized store for use across performance management applications.

Create business definitions of common dimensions

• User interface lets business and financial analysts view domain data, user descriptions, and business terms without needing to know underlying code structures.
• Excel add-in lets users leverage skills in a familiar environment.
• Users have complete control over every model dimension: create, edit, manage, compare, and import structures as needed.
• Users have access to all line item dimensions (chart of accounts, cost center, product, etc.) needed for enterprise-wide performance management.
• Users can assemble and manage multiple hierarchies, views, or versions to provide different perspectives on the data as needed.
• Relationship management capabilities reveal intersections between dimensions (for ex: product/customer) to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities.
• Flexible/open contribution model supports heterogeneous systems. Users can submit models through a Web service or other SOA-based application.
• Zero client maintenance enables pervasive access to data and lets users access models using a Web browser.
• Broad data sourcing (Oracle, SAP BW, PeopleSoft, XML, flat files, etc.) lets IT leverage historical investment in enterprise applications.
• Notifications keep users up-to-date of changes in the models.

Build transparent, automated, and auditable processes

• Support for workflow collaboration and multi-user contribution eliminates rework.
• Granular locking mechanism allows multiple users to work with same object simultaneously.
• Managers can audit changes and approvals made to the models for increased integrity.
• Data lineage feature shows users data history and source within the hierarchy for better understanding and improved confidence.
• Security at the dimension, user, and role levels ensures users have appropriate access to data.
• Central dimension store eliminates duplication, lowers costs, and lets users establish shared views of customers across teams, divisions, and geographies.
• Version control and roll-back lowers risk of errors and increases users' ability to test assumptions and scenarios.
• Data entry validation drives greater accuracy and consistency across business processes and ensures adherence to internal and external regulations.
• Centralized row-level security protects sensitive information without additional cost.

Share approved viewpoints across systems

• Selective publishing to authorized applications increases accuracy and lets users communicate changes consistently.
• Reuse dimension models to lower costs and ensure consistency across applications and processes.
• Dimensions can be integrated within the broader IBM Cognos 8 performance management system, including planning, reporting, scorecarding, dashboards, analytics, and financial consolidation.
• Synchronized updates reduce manual efforts, reduce errors, and accelerate information flow through your organization.
• Opt-in features keep users informed of changes that directly affect them.
• Impact analysis tracks versions and changes to show users how changes affect downstream applications and models.
• Integrate universal dimensions across your performance management capabilities for consistent results.