Hardware and Software - Cont.

TM1 Tutorials

4. Making the most of TM1

With all recent versions of TM1 comes TM1Web - a Web-based Report Browser for TM1 Reports made in Excel and stored to the Application's Directory within a TM1 Server. TM1Web has limited capabilities as the reports must be authored within Excel only. But TM1Web still has some great features which shouldn't be overlooked.


Things Like:

  • Zero Client Installation Required
  • TM1 Standard Spreading Options
  • ActiveForms Support
  • Cube Browser / Pivot Table
  • Process & Chore Execution
The Bottom Line: As a cheap (often free) add-on to TM1, potential uses for this software should be considered.

TM1 Tutorials

5. Computer Network

It's no hidden fact that IBM Cognos TM1 Perspectives (The Excel Add-in) performs poorly over the Internet. This is due to the "chatty" protocol used by TM1, Requests are small and frequently made. Some calls are not asynchronously made which results in "freeze" time while waiting for certain results.

But what many people don't realize is that a poor performing Office Network can also be the cause of Microsoft Excel Crashes when using TM1 Perspectives and likewise Virtual Private Networks which link different Offices crossing states and countries are also the cause of a lot of trouble for the little Excel Add-in.

The Test: You can test your Network's Stability by opening a command prompt on your workstation and typing "Ping *YourTM1ServerName* -t" replacing *YourTM1ServerName*. For Example: "ping google.com -t". If you recieve a "Resuest Timed Out" or any other error within the first 100 replies you may encounter issues when using TM1 Perspectives.

The Bottom Line: Most Networks will be up to a standard which will not cause any trouble for TM1 Users but when you have a substandard Office Network or Virtual Private Network you can either invest millions into making your network more stable and faster performing or you can simply use another frontend for accessing TM1 Reports and Cubes like TM1Web.

TM1 Tutorials

6. TM1 Software Version

I happened to come across a company within the last month who still use TM1 version 7 which was released in 1998. While we do not recommend you upgrade to the most recent release of TM1 we do recomend a version at least from this decade.

The Test: You can check your version of TM1 when in TM1 Perspectives by opening "Server Explorer" and clicking "Help" then "About Perspectives".

The Bottom Line: When choosing a TM1 version make sure to be on the latest fix pack. At the time of writing this Article we recommend versions:

 

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