Diverting from Cognos BI to COgnos TM1

[CRN_8_BI_13]

Hello,

I have been using Cognos BI for more than 10 years and now considering diverting to TM1.
Questions:
1. How easy TM1 is?
2. In TM1, we are talking about cube, is TM1 concept is it the same concept as cognos Transformer but building cubes using different tool-TM1?
3. How difficult is it to change my mind set from BI to TM1
4. For start is it enough to attend only training even I’m not involved in any TM1 project?
5. Which course / training would you suggest to take?
Happy to receive any useful advice.

Thanks

CRN_8_BI_13

[BigG]

Your questions are pretty broad, you need to try TM1 see if you can work with it, its a personal thing, not a broad brush 'easy' tool for all

1. How easy TM1 is? Depends on your background and apptitude, knowledge of multidimensional structures, experience writing code, ability to think differently than say your data warehousing skills, willingness to learn. Also, TM1 is easier to learn if you have a good teacher/ mentor who can provide proven practice - the tool is very flexible so you can get yourself in a tangle if you are not careful.
2. In TM1, we are talking about cube, is TM1 concept is it the same concept as cognos Transformer but building cubes using different tool-TM1? Transformer cubes work with time dimension better, are not write back, do not have the same calculation capabilities as TM1, Transformer is for multidimenional reporting and a pretty simple tool, while Tm1 is for modeling and has alot more complexities. Tm1 cube for reporting in Cognos 8 may not be as suited as a transformer cube, but still workable, just requires more thinking aroud the design.
3. How difficult is it to change my mind set from BI to TM1... BI = Data warehousing? think TM1 has alot of quirks that you may question the logic behind. Again a flexible tool, not as rigid as data warehousing proinciples, but a good model will follow a proven methodology. Think its easier to change to BI/ Dw than from BI / DW
4. For start is it enough to attend only training even I’m not involved in any TM1 project? No
5. Which course / training would you suggest to take? Find a mentor, one on one. Courses will only give you the basics but possibly a starting point as you need to start somewhere- try IBm courses (if you can afford it)

[CRN_8_BI_13]

Hello BigG,

Many thanks for your advice. I found them very useful.
I have bought IBM Cognos TM1 “the official guide book” in order to see how complex TM1 is. I’m afraid I don’t know anyone who knows TM1 and cannot share experience with.
You are referring to “experience writing code” which language are you referring to?

Thanks

[Wim Gielis]

You are referring to “experience writing code” which language are you referring to?

TM1 has its own syntax for writing custom processes (ETL tool called Turbo Integrator).
For example, loading data from DWH into TM1 cubes, setting up and maintaining dimensions, copying data around in a cube (one version of budget to another), and so on.

Also, there is syntax for writing calculation rules: cubes can have a lot of (custom) rules to implement what you need.
From simple calculations (revenue = price * quantity stuff) to complex allocations of costs, linking cubes virtually without copying the data using a process, calculating ratios, ...

It's not easy to be honest; yet TM1 is very flexible and it is also rewarding once you get quite a good level of knowledge.
Up to the point where your personal household budget goes into TM1 cubes and you ask yourself why the hell you ever did that in Excel (own experience)

Wim

[CRN_8_BI_13]

Hello Wim,

Thanks again for your help and answers.

Cheers, SH

[BigG]

I have found people who have previous experience with a coding language can pick up TM1 rules and Ti process (ETL) syntax alot easier. They are also more likely to write consistent and well formatted scripts and calcs.

Give your book a go and use the forum to answer any tricky questions during your build of a model or reporting cube ...goodluck

[moby91]

Regarding how to code TI processes you might take a look at Bedrock -> http://bedrocktm1.org/

[nick_leeson]

Also when you think TM1, think modelling rather than "traditional" Business Intelligence.

Have a go and this is wonderful forum but before you post read the Request for assistance guidelines (PLEASE READ) post.