-How do I get access to Cognos Planning?
-How do I access Cognos Planning?
-I have an Apple Macintosh (Mac) Computer, how do I access Cognos Planning?
-How do I log onto Cognos Planning and get started entering my department’s budget request?
-What do the different color circle icons mean?
-What do the icons mean across the top of the worksheet?
-How can I change the font size of the Congos Planning data, so that more information is included on the screen?
-How do I navigate in the Cognos Planning Software?
-The screen is gray and I am unable to enter the budget requests?

[Click here for FAQ with Answers]

Posted by Doug Henschen:
Copyright: http://intelligent-enterprise.informationweek.com

Cognos stands out by offering in-memory based analysis software TM1 database for now until Microsoft and others catch up.

Can IBM compete against Microsoft's "built-in for free" when organization uses the combination of Microsoft Office, SQL Server and SharePoint. Yet to be seen.

[via InformationWeek]

Cognos Planning Contributor streamlines data collection and workflow management. It eliminates the problems of errors, version control. Users have the option to submit information simultaneously through a simple Web
or Microsoft Excel® interface. Using an intranet or secure Internet connection, users review only
what they need to review and add data where they are authorized.

[via ThemesWiki]

The D-List is a list of data attributes that define what data will be included in the model, how it is displayed, what values it can take, and what operation can be performed on these values. In this two-part article by Ned Riaz, Jason Edwards, and Rich Babaran, we will discuss how data is stored in IBM Cognos Planning Analyst. In this part we will begin by defining the D-Cube and explaining the things that you need to think about before creating the D-Cube. We will discuss the importance of the order of dimensions in enforcing calculation and format priorities. We will show you how you can view the multiple slices of the cube and how you can save a selection of the cube as a separate object.

[via Packt Publishing]

IBM Cognos Planning allows you to create highly complex models using its advanced forecasting algorithms and scenario planning facilities. With this capability at your disposal, you may be tempted to build a model that "does everything at the push of the button". This article by Rich Babaran summarizes the key steps of the Model Development Process. Over the course of this article, you will learn how to:

- Design the model template in Analyst
- Build the Contributor application
- Enter and review plans in the Contributor Web user interface
- Publish and report on planning data
-Maintain the planning models

[via Packt Publishing]

Administration Clients
- Analyst
- Analyst for Microsoft Excel
- IBM Cognos Planning Manager
- Contributor Administration
- Contributor Web Client
- Contributor for Microsoft Excel

Cognos Planning Server Components

- IBM Cognos 8 Planning - Contributor
Contributor enables data collection and workflow management, Version Control in the planning process.

- IBM Cognos 8 Planning - Contributor Administration
Enables admins to publish an Analyst models to Web.

- IBM Cognos 8 Planning - Manager
Planning Manager to design reports using data stored in Analyst.

- IBM Cognos Connection
- Cognos Viewer
- Event Studio
- IBM Cognos Configuration
- Gateway
- Content Manager

Modeling Components

- IBM Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst
Analyst enables to create the structure that defines the input drivers which required for Planning and Forecasting.

- IBM Cognos 8 Planning - Analyst for Microsoft Excel
To create a connection between the data held in Analyst and the view in Microsoft Excel.

- Framework Manager
Modeling tool for creating and managing business-related metadata for use in IBM Cognos 8 analysis and reporting.

The planning Storage can be on any of the following databases:
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle
- DB2