Legacy Data Services - Cognos Service

Legacy Data Services (LDS) provides critical data capabilities for the campus and many colleges, schools, and units. The Cognos Service has transitioned from active development to sustainment mode as UT invests to reengineer its data flows via the Data Hub. Cognos service(s) will continue to operate as D2I-LDS plans an orderly migration to the Data Hub in the years ahead with campus partners.

Requests for new reports or data from LDS (including Cognos) will continue through the Information Resource Owners and/or Information Resource Custodians in the functional areas as they do today; however, as a sustainment service, Cognos users are encouraged to avoid or minimize any new development in Cognos when other options are available for reports, business processes, or new access.

LDS Migration Planning

UT’s data flows, models, and uses of LDS evolved over many years, and migrating them to serve UT’s needs for the years ahead requires careful planning and execution. D2I works with Information Resource Owners, Custodians, functional areas, and CSU data users to plan sequenced and phased migrations of LDS. Planning is underway and updates will flow through D2I newsletters, campus functional owners, governance groups, and workshops. LDS considers a variety of factors in planning the migration, including the scope of use, timing, capabilities in functional areas, vendor and in-house sustainability concerns, and criticality to university business.

  • In time - all of LDS will be decommissioned and will migrate to the Data Hub with new reporting and analytics tools. Read the executive sponsor's message.
  • LDS promotes and encourages opportunities for the development of skills for successful use of the university’s new Data Hub.

Cognos Support and Maintenance

D2I will manage stable availability and essential security patching for Cognos. This includes the Enterprise Data Warehouse, the IBM Cognos software, the Cognos servers, as well as the Cognos data (cubes and reports). Existing institutional and CSU-level Cognos cubes and reports developed by the former IQ team will continue at current levels, but they will not be enhanced with new capabilities. Cognos reports developed by CSUs will continue to be maintained by CSUs.

Cognos Service Details and Definitions

Enterprise Data Warehouse (Cognos EDW)
The EDW is comprised of an on-premises database and can be accessed via Cognos reporting tools, Tableau visualizations, statistical analysis software, and web services.

Business Intelligence Services (IBM Cognos)

  • UT VPN required for off-campus use.
  • Users must adhere to all UT ISO policies.

Cognos Servers

  • IQ Data Cognos Cubes and Reports - for authorized Cognos Report Consumers.
  • IQ Author Cognos Report Authoring - for authorized Cognos Reporting Authors.

Cognos Data Access (cubes and standard reports)

  • Approved by the authorized contact for each CSU. Direct requests for access to the designated subject area contact for your CSU.
  • Authorized Contacts for Cognos Data Access (UT EID login required).
  • Financial Authorized Contact.
  • Academic PBIS Dean's Office Contact.

Cognos Service FAQs

When will the Cognos server or software versions be updated?

When severe security threats are identified by the UT ISO, ITS, or D2I, the D2I Technical team will install the required vendor security patches or fixes. Whenever possible, we will notify the Cognos community with as much notice as possible.

How do I request a Cognos new report or cube from D2I?

D2I will not enhance existing cubes or reports written by the (former) IQ team. We will advise the requestor to develop the report if they are able.

What if the underlying business process has changed - resulting in a change to source data that needs to be reflected in the Cognos EDW, cubes, or reports?

D2I will work with data and core system stewards/operators to balance need, cost, and criticality of effort regarding any additional changes to the Cognos service. Cases where the changes needed are at a low cost and are highly critical will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

How does a new staff member obtain access to Cognos to run/view reports or cubes?

Once D2I receives access approval from the CSU’s authorized contact we will grant appropriate financial or academic consumer access to new staff members.

How does a new staff member obtain access to build new Cognos reports?

D2I may work with the requestor to understand who in the area already creates reports. Since the Cognos environment is being retired we will use existing staff (if possible) and not add new report writers. If the department has no other options, D2I will request access approval from the subject area data steward for the designated report author package.

As a new report consumer or report writer - how do I obtain the necessary training?

D2I has pre-recorded subject area training sessions and subject area specific training material available for Cognos report consumers.

D2I has subject area specific training materials with step-by-step exercises for building reports available for Cognos report authors.

Cognos User FAQs

What is the URL for the Cognos Cubes and Reports server?

https://iq-data.austin.utexas.edu (UT VPN required for off-campus use).

What are the computer requirements to connect to Cognos?

The requirements for Mac and PC computers are essentially the same. Both require a web browser, Adobe Reader, and Microsoft Excel. However, Cognos only supports limited browsers. Firefox or Chrome are the recommended browsers for the Cognos Data (cubes/reports) and for the Cognos Author (report writer) environments.

My report downloads will not display - are there any special browser settings?

Yes. You will need to allow pop-ups. When exporting a report from HTML or PDF to Excel - you may have to open your 'View Downloads' box (available from your browser's tools menu) to display the Excel file.