Question:
Has anyone configured Cognos to BW through ODBO? (BW Connect)
Or through the database schema into ODS/PSA?
What are the key considerations?
How is the performance?
Please advise . . .
Answer:
Hello,
As CHC said for BO, you necessarily make heavier processings to visualize the information in third party products.
Concerning Cognos, all depends on which data you need:
- Only use PowerPlay via ODBO (either on Info Query or InfoCubes)
- Or use Impromptu via Cognos HeadStart for SAP BW (it reaches ODS or InfoCubes data directly and creates the required catalog for Impromptu) and then you can use PowerPlay. In this case, when you do a drill through, you can get the information in Impromptu
Regards,
PYD
Answer:
FYI, we had COGNOS technicians come over to connect to BW. It never worked. To quote a BW US RIG (Sr. Consultant), it doesn't work.
If PYD can provide detailed info on how to do it, I'd appreciate it.
_________________
Keep smiling
Answer:
ODBO link: Check the BW query to 'Release for OLE DB for OLAP'. Once the query cube is generated (it is activated for ODBO use), PowerPlay can access the data (dynamically).
In this case, you use Cognos as visualization.
HeadStart: It is a BW connector for Impromptu (connects the DW tables directly - ODS and InfoCubes). Then use all Cognos products "offline".
In this case, you use Cognos as BI product. BW aims at consolidating and agregating enterprise data.
It works!
One example: the firm was already using Cognos for reporting. The users wanted to keep PowerPlay and the IT wanted BW as DW. Finally, both are implemented.
Hope it is clearer.
PYD.
Answer:
Thanks PYD, none of the existing documentation (SAP or COGNOS) said anything about a BW connector. All they talked about was setting up the link in SM59!
Anyways, we decided to leverage BW for all (incl external data) reporting or analyses needs, instead of COGNOS.
_________________
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Answer:
And today Cognos wants to sell its ETL product DecisionStream.
This is why they communicate a lot on it and on the fact that the whole range of Cognos products is sufficient. No need to have BW.
But ...
Answer:
U can use Powerplay connect to connect sap bw system.U have to creat pointer file for pointing the sap bw system.U have to make some setting s in SAPRFC.ini and cognos files.
Answer:
In my opinion it makes total sense to use BW if your back end ERP system is SAP, or let's say more than 50% of your data is held in SAP.
Just the integration factor alone is enough to make this the best choice.
Answer:
Hello ,
I do not understand the comments . We have Cognos linked to BW . Limitations are that you cannot read cluster and pooled tables , which limits of course currency translation and unit conversion , but the overall connection via Headstart was OK . Cognos also announced a connection via the BAPI interface which should solve these problems , unfotunately it was not delivered uptil today . ACTA technologies together with BO is able to read everything from BW , including pooled + cluster tables .
It can also be of advantage to read directly from ODS database tables instead of cubes . An ODS is , after all , just a collection of transparent database tables .
Answer:
Ok, we have BO but I'm not sure about ACTA. Where can we get this?
Do you have doc. on how to connect BO to BW?
Rgds,
Victor