CASE STUDY 1 FOR Cognos PowerPlay Transformer

Scope: The scope of this case study is to get acquainted with Power Play Transformer. In this case study you will be creating a model using multiple data sources. You will get to know about creating alternate Drill Down, Manual Categories, Currency conversion. You will be creating cube based on this model and anlalyse the cube using power play. This case study may take around 1 and half hour. So please be quick in doing this….

Note:You need the following sample files:

• Products.asc, Sales.asc, Transactions.asc, and Vendors.asc (located inCognos\Cern\Samples\PowerPlay\Discovering Transformer)• GO Currency.xls, an Excel database file that contains exchange rates (located inCognos\Cern\Samples\PowerPlay\Cubes and Reports)

Lets start………………………

Import Data SourcesBefore you can define the structure of your model, you must import the following delimited ASCIIfiles (.asc): Products.asc, Sales.asc, Vendors.asc, and Transactions.asc. These files are locatedin Cognos\Cern\Samples\PowerPlay\Discovering Transformer.Import Your First Data SourceWhen you open the New Model wizard to start a model that uses multiple data sources, youmust specify the first data source that you want to use in your model. In this tutorial, start withProducts.asc, the file that contains the key structural data about the business. (If Transformeruses auto-partitioning optimization, the default, you can import files in any order, withoutaffecting processing time.)Try This1. Start Transformer.2. From the File menu, click New.The New Model wizard appears. Click Next.3. In the Model Name box, type Multiple Sources, ensure that the Include Security in thisModel check box is cleared, and then click Next.4. In the Data Source Name box, type Products.This is the name that appears in the Data Sources window.5. In the Data Source Type box, select Delimited-field Text with Column Titles and then clickNext.This is the storage format of your data source.6. Click Browse to show the Open dialog box, select the Products.asc file, and click Open.Click Next.7. Clear the Run AutoDesign check box and then click Finish.Observe the Products data source in the Data Sources list. No dimensions appear in themap yet.8. From the File menu, click Save.9. In the Save As Type box, select Exported Model Files (.mdl format).10. In the File Name box, type Multiple Sources and click Save.Do not close your model.

Import Additional Data SourcesYou can now import additional data sources into your model. To help you understand thestructure of the data, import Sales.asc next, followed by Vendors.asc. Import the transactional

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source (Transactions.asc) last.Try This1. Right-click anywhere in the Data Sources list and choose Insert Data Source.The New Data Source wizard appears.2. In the Data Source Name box, type Sales3. In the Source Type box, select Delimited-field Text with Column Titles and then click Next.This is the storage format of your data source.4. Click Browse to show the Open dialog box, select the Sales.asc file, and click Open.5. Click Finish.Observe the Sales data source in the Data Sources list.6. Repeat steps 1 to 5 to add the Vendors.asc and Transactions.asc files to your model.Name these data sources Vendors and Transactions, respectively.7. Save your Multiple Sources model.

Define Dimensions, Levels, and MeasuresNow that you have all the required data sources in your Data Sources list, you can use thecolumns in these data sources to define the dimensions, levels, and measures for your model.Try This1. In the Data Sources list, expand the Products, Sales, Vendors, and Transactions datasources.2. From the Products data source, drag Product Line to the dimension line at the top of thedimension map.By default, this name is the name of your new dimension.3. From the Data Sources list, drag the Product Type column below the Product Line level inthe dimension map and then drag Product Name under Product Type.4. Continue dragging columns into your dimension map until the levels appear as shown in theillustration.5. Double-click each dimension name in turn, renaming them to Products, Sales, Vendors,and Margins respectively. Click OK.6. In the Data Sources list, expand the Transactions data source, and then drag Revenue,Cost, and Quantity to the Measures list.7. Save your Multiple Sources model.

Declare Level UniquenessIf you explore each of the sources in your Data Sources list, you notice that the Transactions.ascfile contains columns that are duplicated in each of the other data sources. This duplicationexists so that Transformer can relate the transactional information to the structural information.You must declare these shared levels unique so that Transformer can properly relate the databetween the different data sources.

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In the samples used in your Multiple Sources model, each category in each level isunambiguous: that is, it is associated with a source value that is itself not associated with anyother category. Your own sample data may not be as "perfect". You may need to use calculatedcolumns to remove the ambiguity (for example, concatenating Smith+LocationA andSmith+LocationB). For more information about resolving uniqueness problems in your model,see the Transformer online help.Try This1. In the dimension map, double-click the Product Number level to open its property sheet.2. Click Unique, click Yes at the prompt, and then click OK.3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to declare the Sales Rep Number and Vendor Site Code levels uniqueas well.4. Save your Multiple Sources model.

Add a Time Dimension ManuallyYou can also add a time dimension to your Multiple Sources model.Try This1. In your Multiple Sources model, right-click anywhere in the dimension map and click InsertDimension.2. In the Dimension Name box, type Dates3. In the Dimension Type box on the General tab, click Time.4. Click the Time tab.5. In the Earliest Date box, type 199901016. In the Latest Date box, type 200112317. Leave the remaining settings at their defaults and click OK.8. In the Date Level Creation dialog box, select the Order Date column and click OK.Observe the new Dates dimension at the far right of your dimension map.9. Drag the Dates dimension to the far left of the dimension line.You should place your time dimension first on the dimension line so that this dimension isused by default in PowerPlay Explorer reports.10. Save your Multiple Sources model.

Specify a Level LabelYou can specify a label name for a specific level in your model. For example, you want theVendor Number level to use the Company Name label. PowerPlay users see only the specifiedlabel (Company Name) and not the label from the source column (Vendor Number).Try This1. In the dimension map of your Multiple Sources model, double-click the Vendor Number levelto open its property sheet.2. In the Level Name box, type Vendor3. On the Source tab, click Label and then click the ellipsis button (...).

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4. In the Data Source Type box, ensure that Column is selected.5. In the Name box, click Company Name and click OK.6. Click OK to close the Level property sheet.7. Save your Multiple Sources model.

Generate CategoriesYou can generate categories for your Multiple Sources model and then use the category viewerto explore the categories in your dimensions and levels.Try This1. From the Run menu, click Generate Categories.2. From the Diagram menu, click Show Diagram and then explore the categories in each ofyour dimensions.3. Close the category viewer and save your Multiple Sources model without closing it.Tip: If you expanded the category viewer, click Default View (View menu) to return to thedefault layout of Transformer.

Refine Your ModelAfter you finish building your model in Transformer, you can refine it to better suit your needs.

Create an Alternate Drill-Down PathTo help you analyze vendor information in PowerPlay, you can create an alternate drill-downpath that shows only Vendor Site Code and Vendor Site.Use an alternate drill-down path to drill down to a level in a dimension without passing throughthe other preceding levels. You can create an alternate drill-down path to any unique level in adimension.Try This1. Right-click the Vendor Site Code level and click Create Drill-Down.Observe that an alternate drill-down path appears. Use this path in PowerPlay to drilldirectly from Vendors to Vendor Site Code without passing through the other levels.2. From the Vendors data source in the Data Sources list, drag Vendor Site to the alternatedrill-down path in the dimension map. (The drop zone appears outlined in gray).

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The Vendors dimension now contains an alternate drill-down path (Vendor Site, whichappears in italics on the dimension map) and Vendor Site Code, which is the convergencelevel for the two paths.3. From the Run menu, click Generate Categories.4. When warned that the By Vendor Site Code category has too many immediatedescendants, click OK.Observe that the new By Vendor Site Code drill-down path appears in the category viewer.5. Save your Multiple Sources model.

Create Special CategoriesSuppose that you want to monitor sales in the key market segments for two of your productlines: Golf Equipment and Personal Accessories. You create two special categories, Prime GolfMarkets and Prime Accessory Markets. In each, you group the markets you expect to have thebest sales. In Prime Golf Markets, you focus on locations where the climate supports year-roundgolf. In Prime Accessory Markets, you include locations that promise good sales in high-endsports accessories.Try This1. In the category viewer, click the Sales dimension label, drag the crosshair to the right (justbelow the existing categories), and release the pointer.The Special Category property sheet appears.2. In the Category Label box, type Prime Golf Markets and click OK.3. In the category viewer, expand the Sales Territory, Country, and Branch folders so you cansee the categories in each level.4. Click Asia Pacific and drag the crosshair to the Prime Golf Markets label.Sales results for every representative, branch, and country in the Asia Pacific territory arenow included in your special category.5. Repeat step 4 to add other sales branches and countries that support year-round play, asfollows:• Brazil, from Americas• Mexico, from Americas• Miami, from Americas/United States• Los Angeles, from Americas/United States• Spain, from Southern Europe• Italy, from Southern Europe6. Again click the Sales dimension label, drag the crosshair to the right (just below the existingspecial category), and release the pointer.The Special Category property sheet appears.7. In the Category Label box, type Prime Accessories Markets and click OK.8. Click Japan (from Asia/Pacific) and drag the crosshair to the Prime Accessories Marketslabel.Sales results for every representative and branch in Japan are now included in this specialcategory.9. Repeat step 8 to add other sales branches and countries that you identified as best bets for

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high-end accessories, as follows:• Germany, from Central Europe• Switzerland, from Central Europe• Los Angeles, from Americas/United States• Seattle, from Americas/United States

Observe that a category (for example, Los Angeles) can appear in several specialcategories, as well as in its original drill-down path.10. Close the category viewer and save your Multiple Sources model without closing it.

Set up Currency ConversionYour PowerPlay users want to see the Revenue and Cost figures in their local currencies. Youcreate a Currency Table in Transformer to provide the exchange rate information, and set upconversion for each measure.

Import a Currency Exchange Rate Data SourceYour first step in setting up dynamic currency conversion in PowerPlay reports is to add anexchange rate data source to your existing model.Try This1. Right-click anywhere in the Data Sources list and choose Insert Data Source.The New Data Source wizard appears.2. In the Data Source Name box, type Currency3. In the Source Type box, select Excel Database and then click Next.4. Click Browse to show the Open dialog box, find and select the GO Currency.xls file in theSamples\PowerPlay\Cubes and Reports folder, and click Open.5. Ensure that GO_Currency is selected as the Table or Range and click Finish.6. In the Data Sources list, click the Expand icons beside Transactions and Currency. Confirmthat the names of the date columns differ.

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Note: If the Currency date column had the same name as another date column in your model,you would have to open the Data Source property sheet and, in the Timing area of the Generaltab, clear the Generate Categories and PowerCube Creation check boxes.7. Right-click the Date column, click Properties, and in the Data Class box (General tab),select Date.8. Click the Time tab and, in the Date Input Format box, select YMD.9. In the Degree of Detail box, select Month and click OK.10. From the Run menu, click Generate Categories, acknowledge the warning, and save yourMultiple Sources model without closing it.

Create a Base Currency TableYour next step is to set up a Currency Table in Transformer.Try This1. From the File menu, click Currency Table.Observe that the Base Table box is empty except for the default, which matches your localein Regional Settings (Control Panel).2. Select the Use an External Currency Data Source check box.3. In the Base Table Columns box, click Rate and then click the ellipsis button (...) to open theRate Association dialog box.4. In the Data Source Type box, select Column and click the More >>> button.5. In the Columns dialog box, select Conversion Rate and click OK.6. Click OK to close the Association <New> window.

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7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 to associate Country Code and Date with the columns of the samename, and to associate Label with the Currency column.8. Click the Load Table button.Note: If your <Base default> country is one of the countries in currency conversion table,you will be warned that some currency data rows were rejected because they matched thedefault currency of the table being loaded. Click OK to acknowledge and continue.Observe that the monthly conversion rates from the Currency data source (Excel database)are loaded into the Base Table box.

9. Right-click British Pounds (GBR) and click Properties to open the Currency Record for theUnited Kingdom. Note the editable text boxes. If you used this window to change theCurrency Record, you would click OK to save, and then have to click Load Table again.

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10. For now, click Cancel to close the record without making changes, and then click OK toclose the Currency Table.Note: If you want to support conversion to and from the currencies of countries in the EuropeanEconomic and Monetary Union (EMU), select the Use Euro Triangulation check box and theneither• manually type in the euro exchange rates on the date of EMU entry• add another data source providing conversion rates against the euroFor more information about setting up conversion to currencies tied to the euro, see theTransformer online help.Specify the Measures that Support Currency ConversionYou need to specify which measures will support currency conversion in PowerPlay reports: inour example, Revenue and Cost, but not Quantity. You can also specify the format of theconverted measure in Transformer, or leave it for your PowerPlay users to adjust on areport-by-report basis.Try This1. Right-click Revenue in the Measures list and click Properties.2. Ensure that the Allow Currency Conversion check box (General tab) is selected.

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3. Click the Format tab, make any required changes, and then click OK to save and close theRevenue property sheet.4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for the measure Cost to support its conversion.5. Save your Multiple Sources model in Exported Model files format.

Create a PowerCube for DistributionAfter you finish refining your Multiple Sources model in Transformer, you can create aPowerCube to distribute to your users. Your users can view this PowerCube in PowerPlay forWindows, Power Play for Excel, or PowerPlay Web.If you are using Power Play Transformer Edition, you can also create regional Power Cubesbased on the Multiple Sources model.

Try This1. From the Run menu, click Create Power Cubes.2. Click Power Play (Tools menu) to open Power Play for Windows with an Explorer report.3. Explore the dimensions in the cube and observe the following:• The Vendor Number level uses Company Name for its label.

• The By Vendor Site Code alternate drill-down path contains only the Vendor Site andVendor Site Code levels.

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• The two Prime Markets categories gather the sales data from the special locations thatyou specified in Transformer.

4. From the Explore menu, click Convert Currency to open the Currency Conversion dialogbox.5. Select United Kingdom as the currency to convert to.Optionally, click the Format button, change the default formatting options for Revenue, andclick OK to save.

6. Click OK in the Currency Conversion dialog box and explore your report. For example, drilldown on Margins in the year 2000.

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Observe that all Revenue values are now preceded by a pound sign rather than a dollarsign.

7. Close PowerPlay for Windows and return to your Multiple Sources model in Transformer.

Create Regional PowerCubesYou can create PowerCubes based on each Sales Territory in your model. Each of the cubes inthis group shows all data for its territory and only summary data for other territories. If you set updrill-through cubes, your PowerPlay users can drill through to the detailed information on theother territories.You can only create cube groups by using Transformer Windows or UNIX Edition.Try This1. Right-click the PowerCubes list and click Insert PowerCube.2. In the PowerCube Name box, type Territories3. Click the Cube Group tab and select Sales from the Dimension box.4. Because you want to create cubes for each of the territories in the Sales dimension, leaveSales Territory in the Level box.5. In the Lowest Detail of Categories in the Level box, select Sales Rep Name.When you choose the lowest level in the dimension (Sales Rep Name), your PowerPlayusers can see all levels of information for the territory represented in the cube group.6. In the Summarize All External Categories in the Level box, select Sales Territory.This limits the data for the other territories to only the summary level.7. Click OK.8. In the PowerCubes list, expand the Territories folder.

Observe that a new cube appears for each of the Sales Territories.

Add Password Protection for a CubeYou can add security to a cube by specifying a password.You can only specify passwords by using Transformer Edition (Windows or UNIX).Try This1. Double-click the Central Europe cube to open its property sheet.2. In the Password box on the Output tab, type Europe and then click OK.3. Re-enter the password, then click OK to close the property sheet.4. From the Run menu, click Create PowerCubes.Transformer creates the cubes for each of the five territories.5. Click the Central Europe cube and then click PowerPlay (Tools menu) to open PowerPlay forWindows with an Explorer report.

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6. When prompted to enter a password that is valid for the cube, type Europe and then clickLog On.7. In PowerPlay for Windows, explore the Sales dimension of the Central Europe territory.Observe that it contains all levels of information for the Central Europe territory, but onlysummary information for all other territories.

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