This document discusses options for migrating from Cognos Finance v7 due to upcoming end of support for Windows 2003, corporate restructuring, and need for improved business processes and self-service capabilities. The main options presented are upgrading to the current Cognos version with IBM Controller and Cognos Express or just Cognos Express. While Controller adds license costs, it provides many out-of-box functionalities and can save around 40% on implementation costs compared to developing those functions in TM1. Overall implementation and maintenance costs are estimated to be 20% lower with Controller, making it the more economical option in terms of total cost of ownership.

1. Cognos Finance v7 migration
options
Leo Khaskin
Solution Architect
PowerCubes Lab, LLC

2. Migration Driver
• Windows 2003 end of support in July 2015.
• Changes in Corporate structure due to
acquisitions and sales of business unit
• The need for better business process control
through event driven processes.
• Need for Self-Service by business users
• Lack of resources in IT to maintain the system

3. Migration Options
Once users confronted with the emergency to replace
Cognos Finance they usually consider upgrade to
current Cognos version rather than choose completely
different software. IBM Cognos upgrade option
normally comes down to few choices:
• Controller + Cognos Express
• Cognos Express

4. Migration Cost Comparison
Obviously, cost of Controller license adds some cost to the total,
but comes with lots of out-of-box functionalities. However,
Controller comes with built-in facilities for managing complex
organizational structure, multiple / variable ownerships,
distributions, accounts reconciliations, journal adjustments,
currencies conversion, various eliminations and multiple
jurisdictions compliance. Many mid-size business actively
involved in the global trade, thus rendering quite involved
consolidations. Additional benefit is FAP which delivers financial
data into the cubes with 0 development efforts. As the result
modeling and developing these functionalities in TM1 as well as
cube components and cubes Option 1 will save roughly 40% of
implementation cost. Also, down the road maintenance cost of
Option 1 is about 20% less.

5. Conclusion
Considering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in my
experience Option 1 is more economical, providing
self-service capabilities to finance users (Close,
Consolidate), vast reporting and analytics
functionality (both financial and operational) and
sufficient administration options.
What are your experiences migrating Cognos
Finance v7?