In this blog post, we will explore the NetVisn's key factors that set competitors apart in the IBM Cognos Analytics platform administration!!
NetVisn's comprehensive set of tools stands out from our competitors in the IBM Cognos Analytics platform administration for several key reasons.
Firstly, our tools are designed with the utmost attention to user-friendliness. We understand that ease of use is crucial for administrators who need to navigate the complexities of the platform efficiently. Our intuitive interface and streamlined workflows make it simple for users to perform their tasks with minimal effort and time.
Secondly, NetVisn offers a wide range of advanced features and functionalities that give our users a competitive edge. From powerful data visualization capabilities to comprehensive data management tools, our platform provides administrators with everything they need to effectively analyze and manage data in the IBM Cognos Analytics environment.
NetVisn is a web-based solution developed by Envisn that aims to improve and streamline the administration and management of IBM Cognos Analytics environments. It offers features that address various aspects, such as version control, promotion, documentation, impact analysis, security editing, and auditing. Through its user-friendly interface and robust functionalities, NetVisn is designed to enhance efficiency, minimize administrative work, and optimize the overall performance of Cognos Analytics implementations.
NetVisn’s comprehensive set of tools excels due to several key factors among our competitors:
|
Feature |
NetVisn – Web Based Tool |
BSP Metamanager– Client Tools |
Motio – Client Tools |
|
Architecture & Design |
✓ Web-based product; accessible from anywhere ✓ Internal data repository (XML database) ✓ Single integrated product ✓ Multi-threaded application – highly scalable ✓ Logical user interface ✓ Fully interoperable with Cognos ✓ User can navigate all content within the Content Store ✓ No changes made to Cognos software ✓ No operational impact on Cognos ✓ Application can run as a cloud-native application on any cloud platform (IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure, GCP, or On-Premises) using Docker, Docker compose, OpenShift, and Kubernetes |
✓ Windows tools + Cognos portal integration (ICS) ✓ Allows login to multiple namespaces and any type of namespace configurable in Cognos ✓ Windows application ✓ Multiple tools for administration and version control ✓ Windows-based utilities ✓ Allows CJAP authentication ✓ Interfaces directly with Content Store with operational impact on Cognos performance ✓ No capability to navigate all content within the Content Store ✓ Different products for different features |
✓ Windows application ✓ MotioCI is a separate tool for version control ✓ Recover lost, damaged, or deleted |
|
Promotions |
✓ Flexible source-target setup ✓ Flexible selection (Personal and Public Folder content) ✓ Failsafe controls against overwriting target security or data sources ✓ Optional model export security or Data Sources ✓ Ability to save promotions for recurring usage ✓ Ability to change target folder location ✓ Ability to preview promotions for impact ✓ Promotion history tracking (log file) ✓ User can select a single object to promote |
✓ Deployments can be made between environments and can even be scheduled and automated ✓ The backup and restore modules can also allow you to back up content and then restore that content into another environment ✓ Integrated Control Suite (version control) also allows for moving content between Cognos environments |
✓ MotioCI allows you to connect multiple environments and safely promote targeted content between them ✓ Identify and safely delete the cruft ✓ Automate and streamline testing and validation ✓ Identify and safely delete broken, unnecessary, or duplicate items ✓ Provides a record of all content deployments |
|
Version Control |
✓ Totally automated – No additional action like check-out/check-in needed ✓ Based on actual specification changes, not properties ✓ Full featured compare – in multiple formats ✓ All versions are instantly restorable ✓ No modification needed to Cognos environment |
✓ Integrated Control Suite is a custom Cognos extension that puts version control as a feature in the Cognos UI ✓ Allows you to restore deleted objects |
✓ Run the validation check to quickly identify all your Cognos reports that fail validation ✓ Impact Analysis combines the power of MotioCI’s testing and deployment capabilities to analyze the impact of moving new versions of content into a different Cognos environment before going live with the deployment |
|
Audit / Monitoring |
✓ Real-time tracking of all changes in the Content Store ✓ Ability to easily sort, analyze, and filter changes ✓ Changes can be tracked by user |
✓ Document and report against the Cognos Audit Database ✓ There is a transaction log to audit and monitor or undo changes made |
✓ ReportCard continually monitors & records your Cognos environment's activity and performance ✓ Sets thresholds to notify you of potential issues ✓ Manage Cognos storage capacity ✓ No real content change monitoring or audit available |
|
Analytics |
✓ Broad set of analytic features across the entire Cognos environment ✓ Covers the entire range of admin needs: Security, Data sources, Broken lineage, Missing objects |
✓ Query and find all Cognos content that matches specific criteria (such as all reports based off a particular package) ✓ Monitor and document all your users’ security settings |
✓ Canned reports give you one-click documentation/reporting on Cognos configuration and admin settings, security audit, license audit, environment comparisons, report validation and usage, report runtime, user logons, broken objects, account analysis, and unused packages ✓ Document module gives all information needed about Cognos environment |
|
Impact Analysis |
✓ Can query based on all levels of data ✓ Entire environment can be assessed and changed where necessary ✓ Independent of the model or database an item exists at (Item/Table/Database) ✓ Also covers Personal folders ✓ Note: NetVisn has much broader capabilities here because of its own data repository |
✓ Security Migration tool can provide details related to which Cognos objects have a reference to any user from a namespace, shows the impact that would exist during a security migration or namespace upgrade etc. ✓ Document module highlights schedules in use, notifications/alerts created by users, and any security concerns ✓ Any potential report impacts due to FM changes can be identified ✓ User must pre-select target folder, no apparent way to look at entire environment ✓ This could become extremely time-consuming in any reasonably sized environment |
✓ Run the validation check to quickly identify all your Cognos reports that fail validation ✓ Impact Analysis combines the power of MotioCI’s testing and deployment capabilities to analyze the impact of moving new versions of content into a different Cognos environment before going live with the deployment |
|
Documentation |
✓ All objects in the Content Store are automatically documented when NetVisn is installed ✓ Full documentation of all objects within the Content Store ✓ Users can easily navigate from object to object using hyperlinks ✓ All properties and parameters of every object are documented in detail ✓ Documentation is real-time and not based on PDF documents |
✓ Documentation tools can document and output anything in the content store and audit database, as well as external files like Framework Manager files ✓ Report Lineage tool can identify reports that will be impacted from a change at the data module level ✓ All schedule information is available, including recipients ✓ Inventory of all content can be generated ✓ Document property settings for dispatchers, data sources, report services, and installed components |
✓ Manage Cognos storage capacity ✓ No real content change monitoring or audit available |
|
Security Editor |
✓ Easily view and modify object security ✓ View aspects of security not visible in Cognos Connection ✓ Document all security relationships (namespaces, groups, roles, and accounts) ✓ Global view of security to easily validate object permissions and license compliance |
✓ Canned reports allow you to quickly understand your security architecture by giving you one-click documentation on security objects, license audits, etc. ✓ Security Editor will allow you to simplify the process of managing security permissions by updating all users and objects in a single view and in bulk ✓ Monitor and document all your users’ security settings ✓ Batch update permissions on Cognos objects ✓ Assign ownership of Cognos content to any user ✓ Bulk management for group and role memberships |
✓ Manage Cognos storage capacity ✓ No real content change monitoring or audit available |
|
License & Support |
✓ Email support ✓ Self-service online support portal ✓ Subscription and perpetual license models |
✓ Online & email ticket submission ✓ Defined account manager ✓ Subscription and perpetual license models ✓ Evaluation license available |
✓ Online Knowledge base ✓ Support Community ✓ Self-service online support portal to reach the support team and raise tickets ✓ Freeware and Pro versions of MotioPI; 30-day trials available for MotioPI and MotioCI tools to existing Cognos users ✓ Subscription and perpetual license models |
Furthermore, NetVisn's commitment to continuous improvement sets us apart from our competitors. We actively listen to the feedback and needs of our users and regularly update our tools to address any challenges or gaps in functionality. This dedication to innovation ensures that our users always have access to the latest features and enhancements, keeping them ahead of the competition.
In conclusion, NetVisn's comprehensive set of tools excels among our competitors in the IBM Cognos Analytics platform administration due to its user-friendliness, advanced features, reliability, and commitment to continuous improvement. Administrators can trust NetVisn to provide them with the tools they need to effectively manage and analyze data in the IBM Cognos Analytics environment.