Cognos has introduced its first major business intelligence and performance management solution, Cognos 8 v4 under IBM (NYSE: IBM).
The fourth release of the software follows that of its predecessor, Cognos 8 v3, which was brought to market just eight months ago. The new version from Cognos, which was acquired by IBM back in January, was developed to align with IBM’s information on demand (IOD) strategy, which provides organizations with the tools required to strategically treat and work with business information.
Harriet Fryman, from product marketing for Cognos, said the purpose of the company’s IOD strategy is to open up a two-way dialogue and more collaboration between the business and the IT department to optimize business outcomes by placing users in the driver’s seat.
“We have a modular, open and integrated solution that will address the immediate pain points of users,” Fryman said.
Rich Luciano, director of North American partner and mid-market solution and sales for Cognos said over the next few months, the company will be evolving how it goes to market with its channel community.
“In the past, we’ve had a very strong co-sell model with our partners,” Luciano said. “Under the new IBM model, which we’ll be easing into by January, partners will be more self-sufficient and independent. “We’ll still be there to enable (them) and we definitely won’t abandon (them) in (their) time of need.”
Luciano explains transitioning from a co-sell sales model to more of an independent one will give partners the ability to sell solutions however they want in order to help them better build their business. Over the past few months, Luciano said Cognos has been conducting a series of partner enablement courses throughout the country, with courses continuing through to the end of the year. Partners can also access the partner Web site to gain access to downloadable presentations as well, he says.
One change he mentions for channel partners come January, will be on the product discounts partners receive. Partners, he says, will be able to get discounts to then sell the product, which can be packaged with other products and services, to further increase their revenue streams. By bundling products and services together, Luciano said partners will also be able to differentiate themselves from others who are also working in the same space.
With Cognos 8 v 4, Luciano said the company is expecting to increase its coverage model especially in the mid-market space.
“We need help in the low-end of the market,” he said. “We want partners to add value to their customers here to develop long-term relationships with them.”
Particularly in Canada, Luciano says the company is getting more aggressive by seeking out partners who have oil and gas expertise in Calgary and coverage in Vancouver. With the new release, Cognos hopes to expand its footprint and reach throughout the Canadian landscape, he said. To date, Luciano estimates to have about 250 solution providers and about 200 consulting partners spread across the country. On average, Cognos brings in about 10 solution providers each month, he said.
Some of the new features of Cognos 8 v4 include, user-assembled dashboards, business modeling software, a business glossary, data lineage and annotations. Enhancements in the new version include enhanced Go! Search capabilities and improved Go! Mobile capabilities, which lets users engage with and access information that’s already been created for use on any portable device.
“Users can gain quick access to information no matter where they are. A solution like this would be good for the law enforcement and the sales industry,” Luciano said.
With Cognos 8 Go! Dashboard, average users can assemble and create their own personalized dashboards using existing and trusted information and content, said Ian Gordon, of product marketing for Cognos.
“Cognos 8 v4 also has a new business glossary to help make it easier for organizations to understand terms,” he said. “We’ve also added data lineage to help users understand where information is coming from and we also have a new annotations feature, which is kind of like a sticky note for users to add their insight and thoughts.”
To further engage and align the business, Cognos 8 Business Viewpoint was also announced to turn what used to be a one-way path of communication to a two-way path within the business, Fryman said. With Business Viewpoint, businesses can create and maintain their own viewpoints to allow for more visibility, users can also govern and collaborate processes that can then be shared throughout the business, and organizations can also share and synchronize information, reports and planning.
Product will be available during the fourth quarter, Fryman said.
“This solution is all about putting businesses in the driver’s seat,” she said.
