Cognos is one of the most popularly used business intelligence suites because of its flexible and diverse interface and vast system that has worked for thousands of enterprises. This makes it an attractive tool for management, especially because it has a 30-day free trial for users. Before taking the plunge, however, there are certain things to consider about Cognos.
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Tailoring it to your skillset may take some work
Cognos was specifically created to be user-friendly. Even though it's a workable tool for someone who may not be as technologically skilled or well-versed with applications like such, it still has a lot of functionality that is best maximized when set up by a professional.
These days, it's easy to get IBM Cognos implementation services that can help you set it up within an existing framework and hardware that you have. By making use of these services, you can tailor it to your needs and highlight features that can best serve the demand that your operations require. When you have a specifically designed set-up that has the different facets unique to your business placed on the forefront, it makes it that much more manageable to implement the system and effectively make use of it.
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It works best on Windows
Even though years of development have made it accessible via Linux and iOS systems, many users still report the best usage with Windows simply because the support team within Cognos itself uses Windows systems. This factor allows them to debug your system more easily and cater to your concerns more efficiently since they share an operating system that is the same as yours. There is also a lot of functionality that is smoother with Cognos being implemented into a Windows OS, including imagery and live data connections and querying.
It's also been reportedly easier to update on Microsoft's offering. This factor makes it more manageable to keep the system running with up-to-date features without having to debug as much or wade through adjustments with app changes.
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It has a plethora of features for both smaller and bigger companies than on Linux
Whether you are running a major enterprise or operating a small business, Cognos has a diverse set of features that can cater to different skill sets and necessities based on the nature of your operations.
Determining which features you can use best can be done through trial and error or by getting the help of a Cognos implementation service, as they can properly assess, build, and maintain how the system works for you.
One of the most popular functions used by reviewers is the Report Studio, which allows easy data collection and sharing by different users in multiple ways that are more accessible and simpler to grasp.
Cognos has a lot of pros and cons, as with any business intelligence system, but it remains one of the most intuitive in the market. Being able to make use of it properly can do a lot to improve the operations of a business and increase productivity and efficiency.