In early October, IBM upgraded its performance management portfolio with IBM Cognos 8 v4. This platform includes many enhancements, all intended to give business users more control and confidence in their decision-making. A collaborative business modeling software, IBM Cognos 8 Business Viewpoint gives business managers the ability to define hierarchies of dimensions. Through Viewpoint business users can make decisions to improve reporting and planning, while IT can make decisions about speed and efficiency. IBM Cognos 8 Financial Performance Analytics offers configurable reporting, an adaptable data warehouse, and information consolidation capabilities via three integrated modules for accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger. This application enables line of business managers to view immediate, up-to-date information and perform cross-functional analysis for more consistent reporting. Armed with operational transparency, adaptable and customized views of data, and drag and drop reporting, IBM Cognos believes managers will be better able to mitigate risk and drive performance.

Also collaborating with IBM Cognos 8 v4 is the enhanced IBM Cognos 8 Go! portfolio. With drag-and-drop capability, Flash graphics, and the ability to reuse trusted content, users can build their own personalized dashboard with IBM Cognos 8 Go! Dashboard. IBM Cognos 8 Go! Search digs deeper than titles – into terms and data within reports – to make exact matches. And finally, now with built-in GPS, IBM Cognos 8 Go! Mobile features location awareness to save time and effort when report generation is based on user location.