Cognos Upgrades Business-Intelligence SuiteCognos Upgrades Business-Intelligence Suite

Cognos Inc. has debuted a new release of its flagship Cognos Series 7 business-intelligence suite with new predictive-analysis and business-activity monitoring capabilities, improved reporting features, and an enhanced user interface for the online analytical processing functions.

The new version of the suite's Visualizer graphical interface is completely browser-accessible, and reports can be delivered in an HTML format. That's caught the attention of chip manufacturer Zarlink Semiconductor Inc., which began using Visualizer last fall to deliver daily business-performance reports to some 300 managers and executives. Visualizer lets users build their own reports, a lower-cost alternative to having IT develop custom reports to tap into the company's SAP system, CIO Bill O'Connor says.

The new thin-client version of Visualizer will make it easier for Zarlink managers to access reports while traveling. "People can dial in from anywhere and get a full view of the business," O'Connor says. The company is also considering making use of Cognos software's notification capabilities that alert users when performance metrics such as inventory levels are outside desired parameters.

Cognos Series 7 version 2 will provide new prediction capabilities that can project future values based on past performance and improved notification features for business-activity monitoring. The software's PowerPlay online analytical processing has a new interface that's easier to use. And the suite is more scalable through its support of Web server extension specifications, including Common Gateway Interface, Microsoft Internet API, and Netscape Server API. The software will be available Feb. 28, with pricing generally ranging from $300 to $500 per person per application.