October 11, 2006 Cognos ReportNet Training

Introduction Presenter: Ray Nowell   Phone: (205)

Objectives High level technical review of Cognos ReportNet Basic Security (Setup Users and Groups) Present the Cognos ReportNet Components Learn to use Report Studio to create reports Create Sample Reports

Cognos ReportNet Overview Made up of Four Components:  Framework Manager Used to create and publish metadata on which the reports are based  Cognos Connection The Web portal that provides the access point to all data available in ReportNet  **Report Studio** Used to create and manage reports (accessible from Cognos Connection)  Query Studio Used to create ad hoc reports (accessible from Cognos Connection)

Cognos ReportNet Framework Manager

Windows Application that is run from the Cognos Machine Consists of three main components:  Data Source Points to the data store (e.g. Access Database)  Data Model Multi-tiered structure containing fields used to display data on the report. Fields from the Data Model are derived from the Data Source  Package Makes the Data Model accessible to ReportNet (“Publish the Package”) NOTE: For contractual reasons, changes in the Framework Manager should be handled by Hunter Systems employees only

Framework Manager Data Model contains three nodes  Presentation  Entities  Repository Repository contains fields from the Data Source Entities contain fields and relationships from the Repository Presentation contains the fields to be displayed from the Entities

Framework Manager Field Data Types  Unique Identifier Identifies the Key to Query Subject  Attribute A value in the database that is not used for calculations  Fact A value that is used for calculation. Facts answer the questions “how many?” or “how much?”

Framework Manager Show Relationships

Framework Manger Questions?

Cognos ReportNet Cognos Connection

In the Cognos Connection Web portal, you can:  Create and run reports  Perform administrative tasks: Organize data by creating entries and storing the entries in folders Scheduling reports

Cognos Connection – Layout Person Currently Logged In Links to Query Studio and Report Studio General Cognos Links Tools Link Tool Bar Current Folder Location Current Folder Contents Actions that can be performed on each entry in the folder

Cognos Connection – Layout Preferences Menu  Sets the page look and default preferences for reports (HTML, PDF, etc.) Tools Menu  Opens a new menu of options: Directory  Can alter group permissions and Data Connections Capabilities  Controls access to functionality (Query Studio, Report Studio, etc.) Schedule Management  View and manage the schedule of reports and jobs Server Administration  Sets properties of the Cognos Server (Logging Level, Running Services, etc.) Deployment  Allows a framework Package to be imported or exported.

Cognos Connection – Layout Tool Bar – Standard Icons  Refresh Refreshes the contents of the folder  List View / Details View Shows the Contents in either “List View” or “Details View”  New Folder/New Page Creates a New Folder or New Page  Select All / Deselect All Selects/Deselects all the checkboxes to left of each entry within the folder

Tool Bar – Standard Icons  Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete Standard windows operations for the folder entries  Order Reorders Entries in the Folder  Search Searches for entries within the folder Cognos Connection – Layout

Tool Bar – Special Icons  Set Properties Only appears when the Public Folder Root is selected Required to Set Properties of the Public Folder Cognos Connection – Layout

Tool Bar – Special Icons  Set Properties Only appears when the Public Folder Root is selected Required to Set Properties of the Public Folder  New Job Appears when not in the root folder Allows the user to set up a macro of report events to run  New URL Appears when not in the root folder Creates a link to any Web Page

Cognos Connection – Layout Folder Entry Actions  Set properties Sets the “Run Options” and “Permissions” of the report  Run with options Allows user to select how they wish to run and receive the report  View output versions Allows the user to select which version of a Report View they want to see  Open with Report Studio Opens the report for modification in Report Studio  Create a report view Creates a report view  Schedule Schedules the report or view to run at a certain time  More… Displays an option screen that gives more options to provide on the report

Cognos Connection Organize Content with Folders  You can arrange reports and other content in Cognos Connection by creating folders  Ensure that your folders are logically labeled and organized to make locating reports quick and easy  Folders come in two types: Public  can be viewed by many users My Folders  personal folders that you can organize according to your preferences

Cognos Connection How to create a folder in “My Folders”  Click the “New Folder” Icon  Enter the name of the Folder  Click “Finish”

Cognos Connection Demo Cognos Connection

Cognos Connection Questions?

Cognos ReportNet Query Studio

Query Studio used to create ad hoc reports To run the Query Studio, click on the Query Studio Icon in the top right corner of the screen: Then select the package for which to load Query Studio (should be only one)

Query Studio Drag and drop the fields from your presentation layer to the report. Save the report when satisfied.

Query Studio Questions?

Cognos ReportNet Report Studio

Objectives:  Examine Report Studio and its interface  Explore the different report types  Create reports

Report Studio Report Studio used to create formatted reports To run the Report Studio, click on the Report Studio Icon in the top right corner of the screen: Then select the package for which to load Reports Studio (should be only one)

Report Studio The Studio IDE is divided into five sections:  Toolbar Provides quick access to commonly used report functions  Insertable Objects Pane Contains the fields and objects to be inserted in the Work Area  Properties Pane Allows user to adjust various attributes of an object  Explorer Bar Determines what to display in the Work Area  Work Area Place to format the report or report query

Report Studio Full Layout:  Toolbar  Insertable Objects Pane  Properties Pane  Explorer Bar  Work Area

Report Studio – Toolbar highlights Toolbar Highlights  New, Open, Save, Cut, Copy, Paste and Delete These buttons all work the same as they do in any other windows app BE SURE TO SAVE OFTEN!  Undo/Redo Very useful options as they not only pertain to changes to the report, but to the report query as well (will demonstrate)  Validate Report Ensures that every field, formula and filter is valid before a report is run.  Show Specification (XML) Displays the meta-data of the report in XML  Run Report Immediately runs the report The drop down will allow user to specify  Output Format (HTML, PDF, Excel, XML)  Paper Size  Paper Orientation  Language  Rows per page  Display prompt menu

Report Studio – Toolbar highlights Toolbar Highlights  View Tabular Data Pulls up a quick report of the report Query  Page Design/Page Structure Puts the report in “Page Design” or “Page Structure” view  Boundary Lines Shows the boundary lines of the report  Lock Locks/Unlocks the report  Filters… Sets the filters for the reports  Sort  Aggregate Sets a calculation for the report  Group/Ungroup Groups selected fields together. If more than one field is selected then puts subsequent fields in subgroups  Pivot List to Cross Tab Turns a list report into a cross-tab report

Report Studio – Toolbar highlights Toolbar Highlights  Create Section Sections the report based on fields selected  Swap Rows and Columns Swaps Rows and Columns (only works with Charts and CrossTab). No Row labels exist with List Reports  Display Header Footer Allows report designer to display the Header/Footer on the report  List Headers and Footers… Allows user to display the following:  List Header  Overall Header  Overall Footer  List Footer  Create Header/Footer Creates Header or Footer Row  Insert Table Useful for aligning multiple objects on a prompt page  Merge Cells/Split Cells Merge or Splits Cells in a Table.

Report Studio – Toolbar highlights Toolbar Highlights  Font and Color Adjust the Font and Color of Cells  Container Alignment Aligns an object within a container object (e.g. Aligns amounts to the right of a cell)  Build Prompt Page Automatically builds a prompt page for the fields selected  Data Format Allows report designer to override default OS Options for given data types  Drill Throughs Displays the Drill-Through pop-up menu  Help Displays the help menu

Report Studio – Toolbar highlights Toolbar Questions?

Report Studio – Insertable Objects The Insertable Objects Pane contains three Tabs: Model Query Items Toolbox Contains the fields from the defined presentation layer Contains the fields from all the report queries Lists all objects available for the selected item in the work area

Report Studio – Insertable Objects Toolbox The Insertable Objects Pane contains three Tabs: Model Query Items Contains the fields from the defined presentation layer Contains the fields from all the report queries Lists all objects available for the selected item in the work area

Report Studio – Insertable Objects Toolbox Drag and Drop items from the Toolbox onto the work area The objects in the Toolbox will change depending which item you select in the Explorer Bar Commonly used objects for List Reports are:  Text Item A text item in a report. The content can be static text, or it can come from a query item or report expression.  Calculation Displays a result from either a mathematical or logical expression.  Block A container in which you can insert other objects. Mainly used in the report headers  Table Helps to format the data (useful when organizing prompt information)  Image Puts an image on the report.

Report Studio – Insertable Objects Toolbox There are also “prompt” objects  Useful on prompt pages to create parameters and filter data  Commonly used “prompts” are:  Value Prompt A prompt control that allows you to select one or more values from a list (the control is either a list box or combo box)  Select & Search Prompt An advanced prompt control that allows you to search for values

Report Studio – Insertable Objects Insertable Objects Questions?

Report Studio – Properties The Properties Pane allows the user to manipulate various attributes of any object in the Work Area The properties can be related to content or the look of the control It has three areas:  Title Bar Useful because the up arrow allows user to highlight the parent control  Properties Section These are the individual properties that can be changed. They are categorized  Description Block Gives a brief description of what the property does

Report Studio – Properties Properties Questions?

Report Studio – Explorer Bar The Explorer Bar has three sections:  Page Explorer Allows user to navigate, add or remove report pages or prompt pages  Query Explorer Creates or modify queries and performs complex tasks such as defining union joins and writing SQL statements.  Condition Explorer Creates variables

Report Studio – Work Area The Work Area allows user to edit the following:  Report Pages  Prompt Pages  Queries

Report Studio – Work Area The Report Page and Prompt Page are divided into three areas:  Header Report title, parameters, etc. go here  Body For Prompt Pages: All Prompts will be placed here For Reports Pages: All reportable objects can be placed in this area  Footer Contains any information user would like displayed at the bottom of the report

Report Studio – Work Area The display for the “Queries” Section of the Work area depends on the type of Query you select There are Four Types of Queries:  Tabular SQL A SQL statement that is declared as a derived table whose items may be reused within the tabular structure.  Tabular Set A relational set expression that combines two or more tabular structures.  Tabular Reference The tabular data of another query that will be reused as this query's tabular data.  **Tabular Model** A simple list query run against the Framework Manager model. Use it to identify the data items (columns) to include in the query.

Report Studio – Work Area Query Layout:  Dimensions Provides a hierarchy for reporting your information  Facts The fields and calculations to be printed on your report  Filters Any filters to restrict the data  Tabular Data Specifies the type of Query it is

Report Studio – Misc. Info Demo Filter Creation and Usage Show Cognos SQL and Native SQL

Report Studio – Work Area Explorer Bar or Work Area Questions?

Cognos ReportNet Report Demos

In the following demonstrations, we will cover:  The reporting process  An Example of each type of report (four types): List  Shows detailed information from your database CrossTab  Shows information in a more compact form than in a grouped list. Chart  Presents a graphical representation of data Repeater  Presents tables in which you can insert items that are repeated when you run the report (useful for mailing labels)

Report Demos We will also cover:  Filters  Conditions: Conditional Layouts Conditional Formatting  Calculations  Prompt Pages

Report Studio Determine Data to be Displayed Reporting Process Choose Appropriate Report Type Build Report Apply Filters and/or Create Prompts Format Report

Report Demos First Report Demo Simple List Report

Report Demos Report Objective:  List Associates who have Transactions over $100,000 for a fiscal year Step 1 (Determine the data to be displayed)  Broker ID  Associate Name  Fiscal Year  Amount Step 2 (Choose Appropriate Report Type)  List Report Step 3 (Build Report)  Go to Cognos Report Studio and create Report Step 4 (Apply filters or create prompts)  Apply the $100,000 dollar filter  Add a Period Year Selection Prompt Step 5 (Format the Report)  Add Title to Report  Fix column titles  Set format of Amount column to currency  Sort by Amount descending

Report Demos Second Report Demo CrossTab Report

Report Demos Report Objective:  Compare transactions by Sales/Returns and Class Group Step 1 (Determine the data to be displayed)  All will come from the Transaction View: Match1 Match6 Amount Step 2 (Choose Appropriate Report Type)  CrossTab Report Step 3 (Build Report)  Go to Cognos Report Studio and create Report Step 4 (Apply filters or create prompts)  Add a Period Year Selection Prompt  Add Field “PremMonth” to create a Master/Detail Report Step 5 (Format the Report)  Set format of Amount column to currency  Set Variables for Negative Amounts  Show Negative Amounts in Red

Report Demos Third Report Demo Chart Report

Report Demos Report Objective:  View Sales vs. Returns by Store for a Fiscal Year Step 1 (Determine the data to be displayed)  All will come from the Transaction View: CustomerID Match6 Amount Step 2 (Choose Appropriate Report Type)  Chart Report (Stacked Column with 3-D effect) Step 3 (Build Report)  Go to Cognos Report Studio and create Report Step 4 (Apply filters or create prompts)  Add a Fiscal Year Selection Prompt  Add a “Select and Search Prompt” for Stores Step 5 (Format the Report)  Add Title to Report

Report Demos Fourth Report Demo Repeater Report

Report Demos Report Objective:  Create mailing labels for Associates. Step 1 (Determine the data to be displayed) Associate Name Associate Address Fields Step 2 (Choose Appropriate Report Type)  Repeater Report Step 3 (Build Report)  Go to Cognos Report Studio and create Report Step 4 (Apply filters or create prompts)  N/A Step 5 (Format the Report)  Add Title to Report

Cognos ReportNet Report Demo Questions?

Cognos ReportNet Practical Exercises

Objective  Give User Hand-on Experience in Creating Reports PE 1  Create “Store Info” Report PE 2  Create “Store Plan Info” PE 3  Enhance PE 1 by creating a drill down to PE 2

Practical Exercises Practical Exercise 1

Practical Exercises Report Objective:  Using the “Customer Information” and “RBA Store Plan” Presentation layer, create a report that will display Stores and the plan associated with them Step 1 (Determine the data to be displayed)  Customer ID  CustomerRef1Name to CustomerRef5Name  PlanID  Amount Step 2 (Choose Appropriate Report Type)  List Report Step 3 (Build Report)  Go to Cognos Report Studio and create Report Step 4 (Apply filters or create prompts)  None required, but an optional “Search and Select Prompt” could be useful Step 5 (Format the Report)  Add Title to Report  Fix column titles

Practical Exercises Practical Exercise 2

Practical Exercises Report Objective:  Using the “RBA Store Plan” Presentation layer, create a report that will display Store Plans and the fields associated with their Tiers (TrueUp, Quota Adjustment, and Kicker Tier) Step 1 (Determine the data to be displayed)  Grouped Fields from RBAStorePlan PlanId, Name, TrueUpType, StoreMinNsph, AssocMinNsphAttain AssocMinNsph, MinCommStatusDays, FullTimeThreshold KickerEnabled, Chargeback, NsphAttainType  True Up Tier RecType, NetSalesQuotaAttainment, TrueUpPct  Quota Adj Tier ScheduledHours, QuotaAdjPct, HireDate2  Kicker Tier RecType1, NetSales, KickerPct Step 2 (Choose Appropriate Report Type)  List Report Step 3 (Build Report) Step 4 (Apply filters or create prompts) Step 5 (Format the Report)

Practical Exercises Practical Exercise 3

Practical Exercises Report Objective:  Enhance PE reports 1 and 2 by creating a drill down on Plan ID in PE Report 1 Step 1 (Determine the data to be displayed)  Reports already created so we’re just creating a drill down on Plan ID in PE Report 1 Step 2 (Choose Appropriate Report Type)  List Report Step 3 (Build Report)  Open PE Report 2 and create an optional filter on PlanID  Open PE Report 1, select “PlanID” field and click on the Drill-through Icon Step 4 (Apply filters or create prompts) Step 5 (Format the Report)

Cognos ReportNet End of Presentation