Staff Web

StaffWeb: UG | UW | WLU Libraries: UG | UW | WLU Campus: UG | UW | WLU (Choose TUG group) Administration Annex Info.Ser.Res.& Systems TRELLIS T D R ---------------- Access/User Services E-Journals G P Acquisitions Sci Selectors ---------------- ERL Cataloguing Journal Indexes MIS Web

Home TUG Statistics & Reports

Documents Contacts Search

TUG Statistics & Reports Group

Update to the TUG Executive Committee, March 2006

The TUG Statistics and Reports Group (TSR) last reported to the TUG Executive Committee in January 2005. Since that time, TSR’s work has concentrated on several areas, including:

• Upgrading the Cognos production and development servers. A new production server was set up and installed in May 2005 and the “old” production server became the test/development server. The planned deployment of Cognos 7.3 had to be reconsidered when incompatibilities were found with TRELLIS/Oracle 8. The production server was upgraded to Cognos 7.3MR1, the test server was held back at version 7.1 in order to continue to build PowerPlay cubes and run reports that use the LC call number, and most staff who use the desktop clients remained at 7.1. The 7.3 upgrade should be completed after the next TRELLIS upgrade.
  
  
• Improving server security. Following virus and hacker attacks at the University of Waterloo, server security was tightened. The servers are now accessible only to people with TUG IP addresses and not to guests.
  
  
• Implementing a web-accessible reports request form and status database. Work continued on the reports request form and database but technical difficulties remain to be resolved. A request procedure was developed and reviewed with the Training Team. An interim request process will be implemented later this term.
  
  
• Implementing a reports listserv (tugreports-l). The tugreports-l listserv was implemented to announce to Cognos users the availability of new or revised reports or PowerPlay cubes and to communicate system-related information from the system administrators.
  
  
• Expanding use of Cognos software to include data from other sources. An ERM data cube was put into production. Work remains to get Guelph and WLU usage data into the cube.
  
  
• Exploring server “audit” log files. Data cubes and reports were developed from server “audit” log files that are created when an Impromptu report is run or viewed on the server. Privacy concerns were successfully addressed and the next step will include exploring how the data might be used to better manage the TUG Cognos system.
  
  
• Training. Training remains a significant activity for TSR. Action was taken on training for both the Cognos system administrators and TUG staff.
  
  
  • Bill Halahan attended the Cognos Technical Forum in Orlando in June 2005. This was the third time a TUG Cognos system administrator attended this major technical conference and once again it proved to be very valuable for both the contacts made and the information derived from the ‘nuts and bolts’ discussions. TSR recommends that TUG continue to support attendance at this conference and has included this item in its 2006/07 budget proposal.
    
    
  • The Training Team prepared a PowerPlay training program for TUG staff and conducted several sessions in May 2005. Trainers also offered repeat Upfront/Impromptu training sessions for new staff and staff unable to attend earlier sessions.
    
    
• Promoting awareness of TUG’s use of Cognos. Awareness of TUG’s use of the Cognos business suite to build its statistical and reporting environment was promoted in two ways.
  
  
  • Gail Sperling and Linda Teather were interviewed for the article, “Delving into data” by Kevin Cullen, Colorado State University Libraries, published in Library Journal, August 15, 2005.
    
    
  • At the request of CubeRunner, TSR edited and approved a UW customer success story regarding our use of the company’s software to automatically build, archive and publish Cognos data cubes. The item was solicited to support CubeRunner’s standing as a Cognos Technology Partner and resulted in a 10% discount on TUG’s maintenance contract.

Issues that should have TSR’s attention in the coming year include:

• TSR renewal. With a two-thirds membership change in Fall 2005 when new Guelph and WLU members were appointed, TSR is necessarily in a renewal phase. This presents an opportunity to review the group’s terms of reference, as well as the Training Team’s mandate and relationship with TSR.
  
  
• Cognos development. TSR will continue to monitor Cognos software and conversion tool development, as well as TUG campus directions with regard to Cognos.
  
  
• Cognos version 8. TSR should begin planning for the migration to Cognos 8. This is the next major release and will require an extensive conversion process for both catalogues and reports, as well as training. We do not anticipate a Cognos 8 implementation until at least 2007 but preparation should include training for the system administrators in 2006/07.
  
  
• Input for Training Team. The Training Team has prepared and presented to TUG staff training programs for UpFront, PowerPlay and Impromptu. Guelph still has more training to do and is hoping to complete that by the end of the summer. TSR should seek input from TUG Managers, at a time appropriate to each institution, about how managers and their staff are using the Cognos web environment and what else TSR and the Training Team might do to help them realize even greater benefits from Cognos.
  
  
• Continued expansion of use of the Cognos software. TSR will continue to investigate the integration of statistical data from additional sources and proceed to development work where appropriate.
  

Linda Teather
Chair, TUG Statistics & Reports Group
February 20, 2006