2025-01-21: Cognos Retirement Update

** This announcement was sent to all Student Data Mart users on January 21, 2025 **

As the transition from Cognos to Tableau progresses, we wanted to share key dates and information regarding the decommissioning of specific Cognos packages. The following milestone dates will affect your access to Cognos Packages. Plan ahead and collaborate with your data consumers to minimize disruptions.

Mark Your Calendar

This is our current schedule for turning off Cognos Query Packages. After these dates, you will not be able access any reports built off these packages.

·        February 28, 2025: ST Enrollment and Tuition; ST Enrollment, Tuition, Budget; ST Graduation; ST Graduation Census

·        May 30, 2025: ST Admissions; ST Class Enrollment; ST Freshman Retention; ST Grad and Ret

Understand the Changes

After these dates, Cognos packages will no longer function. While you may see reports in Cognos, any report based on a decommissioned package will show an error. However, you’ll have access to the same data in Tableau. The University Data Warehouse will remain operational, continuing to support existing queries and Tableau dashboards.

Prepare

·        Compare Cognos reports to Tableau dashboards to ensure data consistency.

·        Validate data accuracy across both systems and contact us regarding discrepancies.

·        Submit enhancement requests for any missing metrics or fields.

Empower Your Data Consumers

Analytics modernization is all about supporting your business needs. We aim to aid data-informed decision-making and free minds from the daily drudgery of digging into spreadsheets so that their expertise can be used elsewhere. Let’s connect data consumers to the resources!

Connect with your data consumers about their needs and the resources available through Tableau.

·        Ensure team members have the correct access to Tableau and Data Mart (PeopleSoft access doesn’t grant Data Mart access).

·        Share documentation and resources, connecting users with the Analytics Team as needed.

·        Encourage self-service access through Tableau dashboards!

Review These Essential Resources

·        Tableau Quick Start & FAQ: An essential bookmark in your Tableau resource arsenal.

·        Cognos & Tableau Package Comparison: Find corresponding Tableau resources.

·        Dashboard Guides: Understand what each dashboard offers.

·        Data Source Catalog: Learn more about each data source as they are released.

·        Training Resources: Learn how to use ‘web edit’ to edit or create dashboards, build upon your Tableau skills, and archived demos.

Our team is committed to helping you through this transition. Check out the many ways in which we are here for you.

Best regards,
Pitt IT Analytics