Podcast Channel

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Register | Login

»

Search

BSP is committed to helping educate and inform our customers and prospective customers about the vast set of features available using our products and the IBM Cognos suite. Our podcast channel informally dives into different use cases presented by our customers to meet IBM Cognos challenges head on. You must register and login to view podcasts, registration is easy and free.

4.1: Tips for Skinning IBM Cognos 10

This podcast shows a few tips on how to effectivly brand IBM Cognos 10. Some of the tips involved show how to use FireBug, a FireFox plugin, to get under the covers. Also, a look at editing style sheets and see what is used to skin the IBM Cognos pages.

Date: 2/3/2012 - Length: 15:46 min - Views: 13

3.20: A technique for documenting a Report Studio Report

This technique demonstrates how to use rendering variables to provide a report documentation page on a report that is visible to authors but hidden when the report is run. This type is documentation is useful for recording the changes that a report goes through over time as well provides a check list area for testing a report when a new author is working on it.

Date: 11/16/2011 - Length: 5:54 min - Views: 321

3.19: MetaManager + ICS Version Control, Managing Report Views & Deleting old schedules

This podcast covers 3 brief topics. First a look at how updating objects in MetaManager integrates nicely with our Version Control offering. Second a few tips around finding and managing Report Views in the content store. Finally we’ll show off how you can find schedules from an old user and delete them.

Date: 11/1/2011 - Length: 10:20 min - Views: 73

3.18: Connecting and using BSP License Auditor

The BSP License Auditor for IBM Cognos allows our clients to audit the access rights assigned to each user within their Cognos 8 environments. By simply connecting to your Cognos environment, the application will navigate your security and present how many users you have at each IBM Cognos license level.

Date: 10/17/2011 - Length: 6:48 min - Views: 36

3.17: Adding a standard Report Template to IBM Cognos 10

This podcast will demonstrate how to create a custom template that will standardize the look-and-feel of your IBM Cognos Reports. Creating a template with pre-defined headers and footers, as well as your company color scheme and/or logo can save time when authoring a report. Simply add your custom template to the "File > New" dialog box that opens up when you start Report Studio.

Date: 10/2/2011 - Length: 12:04 min - Views: 172

3.16: Recovering Lost Framework Manager Models

This podcast covers two techniques to recover lost Framework Manager models. Leveraging MetaManager, models can be recovered simply through the associated published package. The second option is to leverage a version control tool such as Integrated Control Suite’s Client Connector.

Date: 9/14/2011 - Length: 6:42 min - Views: 107

3.15: Using Content Store Documenter to create useful reports and documentation

This podcast will demonstrate how to use MetaManager’s Content Store Documenter to solve customer use cases. First, we will explain how to get a count of all objects within a users My Folders. Then we will retrieve a list of users that have a high volume of scheduled reports. Next, we look into documenting permissions of both Cognos Roles and Capabilities. Finally, we show how to document the users of a specific role within a Cognos namespace.

Date: 8/31/2011 - Length: 10:58 min - Views: 112

3.14: Using MetaManager to view current vs. out-of-date datasources and removing users from scheduled e-mails

This podcast demonstrates two MetaManager use cases. The first using Content Store Documenter and some Excel functionality to determine what datasources in an environment are no longer used by a package and can potentially be purged. The second use case is using Object Editor to stop users from receiving e-mails from a schedule.

Date: 8/15/2011 - Length: 13:25 min - Views: 114

3.13: Taking a look at IBM Cognos 10 Active Reports

This podcast illustrates Cognos 10's new reporting capabilities are changing the way organizations consume and interact with data. We demonstrate a few different techniques and discuss some of the details and complexities that can go into creating an Active Report.

Date: 8/1/2011 - Length: 18:57 min - Views: 406

3.12: Saving long-term archives of deleted content in IBM Cognos using BSP Recycle Bin

The BSP Recycle bin provides easy self service access for users to recover deleted content. The Recycle Bin retention settings help keep the recycle bin small and showing relevant recent content. However the content can be saved even longer in zip files using the technique in this video.

Date: 7/18/2011 - Length: 8:30 min - Views: 42

3.11: Prompting Basics with IBM Cognos Report Studio

In this podcast we discuss some of the basic principles behind prompting in IBM Cognos Report Studio. Demonstrated are different methods of adding prompt controls to your reports, and using them to filter outputs. Also, see how to make your reports more interactive by adding prompt controls to the report pages as well as adding prompt pages to filter data before the report executes. Prompting is a fundamental part of Report Studio; use this podcast to learn the basics and you will have enough to accomplish most tasks.

Date: 7/5/2011 - Length: 12:40 min - Views: 267

3.10: MetaManager adds the ability to secure modules by user

In this podcast we're showing off a new feature currently in beta (available via the support build). MetaManager now has the ability to install capabilities for each module into the IBM Cognos content store. Those capabilities can be used to grant or deny access to specific MetaManager modules to any user, group or role.

Date: 6/21/2011 - Length: 6:16 min - Views: 60

3.9: Regression Testing for Cognos

Lifecycle Manager was designed to help organizations in their upgrade from Cognos x to Cognos y, as well as assist within the development lifecycle of content. See how Lifecycle Manager can be used for Regression Testing within ReportNet, Cognos 8 and Cognos 10.

Date: 5/20/2011 - Length: 10:00 min - Views: 183

3.8: Find reports using embedded SQL with the new Report Search Module

This podcast demonstrates how to use MetaManager’s new Report Search Module to find reports anywhere in your environment that contains certain elements such as: Query items, Data items, Images, Embedded SQL, or any searchable text. Finding query items is simple using MetaManager’s browse module feature. As always some other cool tips and tricks as well.

Date: 5/16/2011 - Length: 4:05 min - Views: 82

3.7: Have a 9 minute peek at the IBM Cognos Audit and Extension packages

The IBM Cognos Audit package provides valuable insight into the activity in your IBM Content Store. This package out of the box can help you as an administrator understand more about usage whether it be who's logging in or what reports are being executed. Also monitor report run times to find slow running reports. The IBM Cognos Audit Extension takes reporting on the content store to a whole new level. Spend 9 minutes with on this podcast and we'll walk you through some samples.

Date: 5/3/2011 - Length: 9:00 min - Views: 227

3.6: Cleanup Cognos reports that are overriding security

In this podcast we demonstrate how to produce documentation to review security policies and inheritance in hierarchical PDF file and in Excel. Using Excel’s filtering capabilities we can find and review all of the objects in the content store that have explicit security policies defined. Finally using MetaManager’s Security Painter module we can correct the security in the environment to use inheritance.

Date: 4/15/2011 - Length: 16:56 min - Views: 138

3.5: Using URL’s in Cognos for Integration

In this podcast we demonstrate some simple techniques for using URL’s to run and view reports in Cognos Viewer as well as launching studios. This is a good starter podcast as the techniques demonstrated are easy to reproduce and are not too technical. Look for a follow-up with the podcast with more technical details later this year.

Date: 4/1/2011 - Length: 12:01 min - Views: 334

3.4: Searching for multiple Data Items with Find and Replace

In past podcasts we've demonstrated a technique to find reports that contain a specific data item using MetaManager's Find and Replace module. But what if you want to find reports that contain several specific data items? We show you how in our newest podcast!

Date: 3/15/2011 - Length: 3:51 min - Views: 127

3.3: Implementing Column Level Data Security within IBM Cognos

This podcast demonstrates how to apply security to prevent users from seeing specific data. This is done by creating a security group in the Cognos Namespace and editing a Column Definition within Frameworks Manager. The technique will enforce data security even if the users are allowed to create reports, they are shielded from viewing the actually data.

Date: 3/1/2011 - Length: 5:56 min - Views: 271

3.2: Update almost anything in bulk in MetaManager’s new Object Editor Advanced Tab

In this podcast we demonstrate the new Advanced Property Modification in Object Editor. This new generic mechanism for updating properties enables MetaManager to handle many common and uncommon use cases without having to release a new version every time. Such-as a recent support request to update the subject field of all scheduled reports set to email. Are you updating more than a handful of objects with the same settings, email our support and ask if we can automate it in Object Editor! These features are now available on the current Support Build.

Date: 2/12/2011 - Length: 13:25 min - Views: 104

3.1: A preview of features in development for the MetaManager 3.7 release

This podcast demonstrates some of the new features that are currently in development for MetaManager 3.7. Specifically the Transaction Manager feature records undo actions for all of the bulk jobs that MetaManager performs. This gives you the peace of mind and ability to revert a part of or an entire update that MetaManager performed.

Date: 1/31/2011 - Length: 14:52 min - Views: 105

2.20: A Technique for displaying images stored in a database in a Report Studio Report

This podcast uses a simple ASP page to retrieve images from a database so that they can be included in a Report Studio Report. The database, model, sample ASP page and sample report are included in the file download for this podcast.

Date: 12/1/2010 - Length: 11:41 min - Views: 239

2.19: Happy Halloween from the BSP Development Leads

Once a year on Halloween we let some of the development staff out of the dungeon. And this is what happens… Hope you enjoyed your Halloween as much as we did!

Date: 11/1/2010 - Length: 3:38 min - Views: 179

2.18: Report Documenter gets new features!

We've improved upon and added to the outputs options for Report Documenter. New folders are created each time you document, and you can now export to a tree structure. Check it all out here!

Date: 10/17/2010 - Length: 3:40 min - Views: 135

2.17: Dynamically set the default values for date prompts in Report Studio

Report Studio gives you the ability to set a default value for prompts, but only if they are hard coded at design time. This video shows you a technique to dynamically change the default values for date prompts based on the last 7 days of data available in the database.

Date: 10/1/2010 - Length: 9:59 min - Views: 457

2.16: Understanding the impact analysis features in MetaManager

This podcast demonstrates some common use cases in the Find / Replace module for finding reports based on search queries. By disabling some of the impact analysis capabilities when they’re not needed you can speed up the module’s performance significantly. Also a few good tips and tricks along the way!

Date: 9/15/2010 - Length: 12:27 min - Views: 67

2.15: Dynamic Sorting in Studio Objects

This podcast demonstrates how to change the way a query is sorted based on a user supplied prompt value. This technique can be used to make your reports more flexible by allowing the user to make more choices at runtime. The technique is simple and easy to implement with no programming required.

Date: 9/1/2010 - Length: 6:35 min - Views: 238

2.14: Using the Find/Replace module for Data Items

If you have ever used the Find/Replace module to update a Data Item, you know that although the reports may be updated correctly, you won't always see your changes in Report Studio's design view. This podcast shows you how to update not only the expression for a Data Item, but how to see the changes in Report Studio as well.

Date: 8/16/2010 - Length: 6:18 min - Views: 154

2.13: Enhance your reports with HTML Items

Report Studio offers HTML Items as part of its toolbox. This podcast shows you a few simple ways you can use HTML Items to enhance your reports. You will see how to create dynamic links, custom charts and data driven tooltips.

Date: 8/2/2010 - Length: 10:57 min - Views: 470

2.12: Viewing Active and Inactive Users in your Cognos Environment

This podcast demonstrates how to use MetaManager’s Content Store Documenter to give administrators a better insight into who is using their Cognos Environment. We document users that have a profile versus those that do not, and the last successful login date of each user.

Date: 7/14/2010 - Length: 3:53 min - Views: 234

2.11: Fixing Drill-Through Definitions using Find / Replace

This podcast demonstrates how to update the drill-through definitions in Report Studio reports in bulk by using the Find / Replace module. Using this technique you can repoint the target report without losing all of the parameters defined in the drill-through definition.

Date: 7/1/2010 - Length: 8:29 min - Views: 104

2.10: Auditing user access to packages within IBM Cognos

This Podcast demonstrates how to use MetaManager’s Security Auditor Module to view in Microsoft Excel which user accounts have access to each IBM Cognos package.

Date: 6/15/2010 - Length: 7:02 min - Views: 180

2.9: Cleaning up broken shortcuts & report views

This podcast demonstrates a number of MetaManager’s features to find and eradicate broken shortcuts & Report Views. Some of the features demonstrated are: Saving searches and favorites in the portal tree for use across modules, the new save as favorite option in report validator, validating shortcuts & report views and fixing report views.

Date: 6/1/2010 - Length: 11:12 min - Views: 105

2.8: More Tips and Tricks

Learn how to use Content Store Documenter to document a user's portal pages and the types (and counts) of objects stored under their account. We also demonstrate saving custom searches.

Date: 5/15/2010 - Length: 4:11 min - Views: 226

2.7: Using variables in Report Studio to change rendering based on output formats.

Using variables in Report Studio you can change the layout or content of a report based on the format. Use this technique to help make your reports look and work their best in all formats. There are certain objects and formatting that do not transition well to some output formats, such as complex table layouts in Excel and data driven HTML items in CSV. Using this technique you can hide, replace or alter them to meet the needs of each format.

Date: 4/15/2010 - Length: 4:03 min - Views: 264

2.6: Document all users with an IBM Cognos profile

This podcast demonstrates how to search the entire document for a list of accounts to an XML file which can be used in Excel. By filtering on the Creation Time property we can see which accounts have a profile and which do not.

Date: 4/1/2010 - Length: 3:51 min - Views: 161

2.5: Stump the Developers Webinar

On March 17th we hosted a Stump the Developers webinar where many of our customers fired off challenges in their IBM Cognos environments and a few of our lead developers were put on the spot to solve them with MetaManager. The webinar was a huge success and a lot of fun for us and the attendees.

Date: 3/21/2010 - Length: 98:50 min - Views: 74

2.4: Security Painter New Features!

This podcast demonstrates 2 new features in Security Painter (currently available in the 3.4 beta). First the ability to reset permissions to inherit from their parent and second the ability to append new policies rather than replace them.

Date: 3/15/2010 - Length: 9:05 min - Views: 62

2.3: Hacking the MetaManager MMX File

In this podcast we look under the hood of the MetaManager MMX files, which are simple text-based XML files with a fairly straight forward layout. By modifying the MMX file using information from other areas of MetaManager, Audit Packages reports or other sources, we’re able to, in a sense, import information into MetaManager.

Date: 3/1/2010 - Length: 8:12 min - Views: 44

2.2: Using the ExpandMembers search path function

This podcast shows how to use the expandMembers search path function to find all of the members of a security object in the MetaManager search window.

Date: 2/12/2010 - Length: 3:53 min - Views: 42

2.1: Deleting old schedules and other Advanced SearchPath Tips

This podcast shows you how to use the MetaManager's powerful enhanced treeview and SearchPath functionality to find running report schedules for users no longer using Cognos and delete those schedules. This video dives into detail on how to use the Advanced SearchPath mode and is recommended for all power users.

Date: 2/1/2010 - Length: 16:53 min - Views: 80

1.20: Documenting User Access Rights with Content Store Documenter

This podcast shows you how to use the MetaManager Content Store Documenter Module to gain a clear picture what your users have access to in your IBM Cognos environment. Use it to flatten the hierarchy of memberships and show a true picture of the groups which a user is a part of and the access rights acquired from those memberships.

Date: 12/23/2009 - Length: 6:41 min - Views: 142

1.19: BSP Demo Authentication Provider Installation & Configuration

The BSP Demo Authentication Provider is a text based LDAP for IBM Cognos demonstration systems. This free extension makes it possible to set up a demonstration system of Cognos 8 with a security namespace for logging in, without the need for a true LDAP such as SUN One or Series 7 Access Manager.

Date: 11/25/2009 - Length: 6:34 min - Views: 270

1.18: Video tutorial of the Cube Connector Extended Module

Cube Connector is designed to facilitate the creation and maintenance of Cognos 8 PowerCube datasource connections. Users can simply specify a directory where PowerCubes exist and map all respective .mdc files to a datasource in Cognos. Similar to PowerPlay Enterprise Server (in the Series 7 days), any / all PowerPlay cubes can easily be added to Cognos Connection through this simple interface.

Date: 10/20/2009 - Length: 6:12 min - Views: 123

1.17: MetaManager Tips and Tricks

A demonstration of a shortcut for populating replace criteria for the Find/Replace module when changing package references, a quick overview of MetaManager's integration with IVC, and Security Editor's new Export Group, Role and Membership information feature.

Date: 10/30/2009 - Length: 8:45 min - Views: 148

1.16: System Monitoring and Broadcast Messaging with IVC

As a Cognos Administrator, it is often critical to monitor the current and historical usage of the environment. See how IVC’s Studio Monitoring and Broadcast Messaging capabilities take Cognos to the next level!

Date: 10/8/2009 - Length: 4:29 min - Views: 112

1.15: Using the Security Editor Extended Module

This podcast illustrates how to quickly and easily see and manage the security in your IBM Cognos environment. Learn how to edit security using the drag-and-drop capabilities of the MetaManager portal tree, and how to batch load security information from external sources..

Date: 8/24/2009 - Length: 7:05 min - Views: 106

1.14: Video tutorial of the MetaManager User Access Rights utility

This instructional video demonstrates how to use the MetaManager User Access Rights utility and package to generate security reports in IBM Cognos. The 4 sample reports can be used to audit group & role memberships as well as a user's access and permissions to content. Download the MetaManager User Access rights utility below.

Date: 8/13/2009 - Length: 14:59 min - Views: 85

1.13: Documenting “last run” status and errors using Content Store Documenter

This podcast shows you how to quickly create a report listing all of the schedules in your environment that are failing, including the name, location, owner and reasons for the failure, using new features of the Built-In Searches capability in the MetaManager portal tree. Content Store Documenter can now document the execution time, status & error messages for the last run of any report, job, agent, import or other scheduled object. Make sure you download the latest beta version of MetaManager 3.1 from the support site to enable this functionality

Date: 8/10/2009 - Length: 6:30 min - Views: 152

1.12: Managing broken Report Views in MetaManager and some other tips & tricks.

This podcast demonstrates a handful of new features in MetaManager, including: finding broken report views, broken jobs & broken reports, Documenting report views and deleting objects from the portal tree. Make sure you download the latest version of MetaManager 3.1 from the support site to enable this functionality.

Date: 7/27/2009 - Length: 11:15 min - Views: 114

1.11: Using Content Store Documenter’s XML output as a Datasource in IBM Cognos 8.

This podcast illustrates how to transform Content Store Documenter’s XML file into a format that is reportable by IBM Cognos 8. This process involves using MetaManager’s Command Line interface to automate creating and transforming the xml output file into a Cognos XML Dataset. Be sure to download the files associated with this podcast below.

Date: 6/17/2009 - Length: 27:13 min - Views: 210

1.10: Scheduling a backup using Command-Line in MetaManager.

Using the MetaManager command line interface, users can integrate MetaManager with external scheduling packages that initiate Metamanager processes. This video podcast will demonstrate how to schedule a weekly backup.

Date: 6/9/2009 - Length: 11:05 min - Views: 197

1.9: Advanced Search Path.

A search path is an expression used to navigate the content store hierarchy to find objects. This video podcast will show you how to create and use search paths in MetaManager. Also check out the Cognos 8 Software Development Kit Developer Guide - Appendix A (Search Path Syntax) for more information.

Date: 5/18/2009 - Length: 10:01 min - Views: 166

1.8: Promoting Content – See the Many Options.

Promoting content can be a tedious and time consuming task. In this podcast, we explorer 3 options using MetaManager, CPM Explorer and Integrated Version Control.

Date: 5/4/2009 - Length: 10:10 min - Views: 192

1.7: Using the Property Grid within MetaManager.

This video podcast demonstrates how to navigate through and use the different functions of the property grid within MetaManager.

Date: 4/24/2009 - Length: 2:57 min - Views: 134

1.6: How to deploy IBM Cognos content within environments containing different security.

This video podcast demonstrates how to deploy content from one environment to another that contains different security settings.

Date: 4/15/2009 - Length: 12:50 min - Views: 296

1.5: How to use a text differential application with MetaManager.

This video podcast demonstrates how to use a 3rd party text differential application within MetaManager's Find / Replace Module to highlight differences and make exceptions to changes before updating.

Date: 4/7/2009 - Length: 4:22 min - Views: 141

1.4: MetaManager 3.1 Pagelet Blasters Enhancements.

This video podcast demonstrates a variety of new use cases that can be solved using MetaManager 3.1's Pagelet Blasters module. This module has received a number of enhancements in the 3.1 release.

Date: 3/27/2009 - Length: 10:51 min - Views: 172

1.3: Tips & Tricks using MetaManager reports in Microsoft Excel.

This video podcast shows a few tips & tricks on how to customize branding in MetaManager reports and how to load these reports for analysis in Microsoft Excel. Also featured is how to use a stylesheet to load Content Store Documenter's xml output directly in Microsoft Excel. The stylesheet can be downloaded below.

Date: 3/15/2009 - Length: 19:38 min - Views: 228

1.1: How to build an automated validation process with MetaManager Command Line & IBM Cognos 8 Event Studio

This video podcast demonstrates how to schedule MetaManager's Report Validator module using the command line interface to validate an IBM Cognos 8 environment and schedule an Event Studio agent to alert when any reports are broken. This podcast will cover how to import and configure the MetaManager Reporting Package and how to use that package to generate an Event Studio Agent.

Date: 2/15/2009 - Length: 13:46 min - Views: 283

Back To Video Library

Back To Video Library

Home | About Us | Products | Services | Support | Customers | Partnerships

| |