2. MB Context
Context allows users to add and share their insight. MB Context enables
IBM® Cognos® users to add comments directly to the Report Studio
reports online. All comments are made on live reports, which automatically
update each time changes are made, thereby ensuring that all users have
immediate access to the most up-to-date information. All comments, with
username and timestamps, are stored in your database.
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3. A More Rounded Perspective
Information is currency in today’s economy, and this creates an ever-increasing need for
access to data. But as technology enables organisations to gather, store and disseminate
larger and larger amounts of data, ensuring that people can interpret the data correctly
and interact with it faster becomes ever more key.
The BuSIneSS need in the database to form a critical element of the business
Morgan Benjamin has extensive business intelligence intelligence cycle.
consulting and technical experience over a range of
industry sectors. Years of experience working as a Cognos FlexIBIlITY PuTS The uSeR In ChARge
partner and with Cognos clients has enabled us to identify The advantages are widespread. MB Context’s flexibility
a real business need amongst Cognos customers for an puts the user in charge, equipping them with the ability to
additional tool that not only enhances the power that users interact with the information through supplementing
have to interact with reports but reduces the reliance on reported data with context and human insight. Cognos
report developers. As a result we have developed a key reports containing analysis comments and/or action items
innovation – the Cognos-endorsed MB Context. are immediately accessible online to authorised users, as
well as being immediately ‘print-ready’, for example before
dIReCT InTeRACTIon wITh CognoS RePoRTS board meetings.
Born out of the recognition that contextual information is
as important as the data on which it is based and should enSuRIng dATA ACCuRACY
the refore be stored in the same way, the concept of MB MB Context cuts out the need to export reports from Cognos
Context is simple. MB Context enables Cognos users to to excel, word or PowerPoint in order to undertake the time
share knowledge through inputting comments to Cognos consuming and error-inducing manual management of the
reports online and in real-time. Required actions can be data. Information therefore remains accurate and up-to-date.
requested, completed actions flagged, and hierarchical MB Context also removes the compliance requirement of
data groups relevant to each individual user created. This printing out reports to be signed and filed, as the audit
additional, user-defined, interactive information is stored history is stored as part of the online documentation.
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4. User Interaction Developer Experience
Quite simply the user clicks the add comment icon, up pops the dialog box,
the user enters their comments, adds formatting and saves
Admin Console
The MB Context Admin console allows
developers to Manage reports contain-
ing comments generate syntax for single,
multi page and line Item commentary.
generate pre defined drop down options
for comments as opposed to free entry
comments
Report Creation
The MB Context tool item will appear in
the Standard Report studio toolbox.
Stored comments are accessed via a table
in the Framework and can be displayed as
list items, html items or rich text items.
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5. Architecture
MB Context provides this enhancement to Cognos Reportnet and Series 8. It improves
the way that users interact with reports and data, enabling them to take more control
of their data, add ‘context’, share this information with others and even create custom
groupings. In short it creates business intelligence (BI) that is tailored to the individual
needs of the user.
MB Context MB Context
Resides on Cognos dispatcher - Java Application Resides on Cognos gateway - JavaScript Application
Technical Requirements
Cognos Reportnet or Cognos 8
Supported databases
oracle 9i, 10g, SQl Server 2000, SQl Server 2005, IBM dB2 Report Studio reports
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6. enhanced interactivity, better decisions
Is it possible to assign commentary within the report prior to Yes. MB context uses the cognos username so can define
publication, yet post rendering –i.e. pre-publication but not access utilising existing security configuration.
part of the report design phase?
Yes, providing the report was developed to enable commen- Is it possible to set up any sort of collaboration where
tary. Comments can be added whenever the report is run in multiple people can have a threaded discussion?
Cognos Connection. These comments can then optionally be Yes. MB Context collects the comment history for an
published in a PdF version of the report. individual report, report object and line item. MB Context can
be configured to display comment history either within the
does MB Context enable the capture of end-user comments report or within a purpose built feedback report.
against data represented in web reports? Specific users can be permitted to add comments into
Yes this is exactly what it is designed to do. Comments can different threads and either the entire history of comments or
be entered against any Report Studio report when viewed in a configurable number can be displayed.
hTMl.
Is possible to version the commenting to track the history of
does MB Context keep a back up of comments entered into a comments?
report? Yes. All comments are given a reference that includes report
Yes –All comments are archived in a database of the user’s name, user name, date and time. Comments history can be
choice. These comments are stored with the date / time of displayed within the report or in separate purpose built audit
entry of a comment, the user name and the report, report reports. Comments can be versioned along with versioning
component or line item that the comment refers to. contained within the database (i.e. Month end data cuts) and
also against any report or report item. each comment is date
explain how MB Context gives users the ability to insert / time stamped to indicate time of entry.
text comments for report publication e.g. explanations
for variances? Is it possible to restrict the number of comments made
MB Context allows users to enter comments post rendering. against a report or report object?
Comments can be entered against Reports, Report Compo- Yes, this can be configured. The default settings are for
nents (Charts, lists etc) and individual line items within a list. unlimited comments.
These comments are then stored in a database along with
the comment timestamp and the user name that entered what additional skills will my developers require to enable
them. the MB Context functionality within our Cognos reports?
Standard Report Studio development skills are required. MB
Is it possible to secure the commenting so only certain users Context is provided with default report templates for Report,
can edit the comments? Report item and line item comments to ease development.
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7. Costs (£)
Role Price per seat (£) users license Price Aunual Support
Adminstrator 3,000 1 3,000 600
user 230 10 2,300 460
212 30 6,360 1,272
212 40 8,480 1,696
180 50 9,000 1,800
150 100 15,000 3,000
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