Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Automate Cube in Cognos Transformer 10

Overview:

Automating Cubes refreshing should be an easy task, however most of the documentation and information available online is not completed or it is ambiguous and let much room for problems. We are writing this quick reference guide with the intention of more than step by step instructions, to be an easy way to “understand” how Transformer and the Power Cubes deployment work for automation, allowing you to make appropriate changes according to any unique requirements.

Assumptions:

  • You already have a valid Transformer model fully operational and created the PowerCube in Transformer

In this sample:

  • Model file: C:\Users\someuser\Documents\Transformer\Models\tt.pyj
  • PowerCube file name: lolo.mdc
  • Deployment location: C:\Users\someuser\Documents\Transformer\DeploymentLocation


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Steps:

Cube Properties

  • Open Transformer model 
  • Right click on Cube and display cube properties and select “Deployment” tab 
  • Change “Deployment strategy” to “Copy to available location, then activate” 
  • Change “After building the cube” to “Automatically copy and activate” 
  • Add new “Deployment location” (note: same location will be used in “Data Source Windows location” and different location from Cube effective path) 
  • Select “Enable automatic PowerCube deletion” and set the Maximum number of old cubes to keep as needed. 

  • Update the “Windows location” in “Data Source” tab to point to the right deployment location 

Insert auto logon Signon

  • From the menu bar select “View > Signons” 


  • Right Click inside the Signons window and Click “Insert Signon…” 


  • Add Signon information required for the cube automation. Click ‘Ok’ and confirm the password. 



  • Save the model 
  • Exit Transformer

Command Line (Cube Automation)


  • Open command prompt 
  • Navigate to Cognos Transformer installation /bin folder 
  • Type and run the following command line: 
cogtr -n2 -c -glolo -s -pC:\Users\someuser\Documents\Transformer\Models\tt.pyj

  • cogtr: Start the transformer application
  • -n2: Run the application in batch mode and hidden
  • -c: Load the model file, generates categories, and create the cube
  • -g: Copies newer version of cube to deployment location and activate the new version
  • -s: Saves the model

  • Check for 3 new items (2 files and 1 folder) added to Deployment location 
  • The .mdc file in this location is the one that should be used in Data Source Connection (cognos administration) 


Publish Data Source and Package

  • Open Transformer model 
  • Right Click the PowerCube and select “Publish PowerCube as Data Source and Package…” 


  • Follow wizard instruction on screen 
  • Click ‘Finish’ 
  • Save and close the model




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