IBM Cognos vs. QlikView: Which Business Intelligence Tool is Right for Your Organization? 

Over the years, IBM Cognos has been a prominent player and a foremost Business Intelligence (BI) solution empowering businesses. QlikView, on the other hand, is also a highly rated BI solution companies use globally. However, when selecting the perfect fit for your organization’s unique needs and preferences, the decision can sometimes be clearer cut. In this article, we will assess and compare the core features of IBM Cognos vs. QlikView, which will help you determine the most suitable solution to your needs.

Introduction to IBM Cognos BI Solution

IBM Cognos stands as an integrated business intelligence platform powered by IBM. This platform is a web-based service that seamlessly amalgamates various individual services into one cohesive unit.

Cognos offers comprehensive data analysis and visualization tools, including functionalities such as dashboard creation, reporting, analytics, and advanced analytics. It is a package of multiple components that collaboratively contribute to building an efficient business intelligence solution.

Introduction to QlikView

QlikView is a versatile data analysis and visualization tool that allows users to retrieve, integrate, manipulate, and scrutinize data from diverse sources.

This tool is predominantly used by developers specializing in developing data models, analytical applications, dashboards, and visualizations, all to generate insightful reports for delivery to end-users via the Access point.

For end-users, this access point is a valuable resource for data analysis and trend exploration, facilitating tasks such as data retrieval, searching, model creation, visualization, and more.

Features Comparison of IBM Cognos vs. QlikView

IBM Cognos and QlikView have significant BI features such as data visualization, reporting, and mobile access to facilitate effective BI operations. In this section, we will compare IBM vs. QlikView features:

1. Reporting
   • IBM Cognos: It empowers you to create custom reports. You can customize the report’s appearance per your style and preferences through the default color palette, selecting another palette, and even making your palettes. Furthermore, this robust reporting feature allows you to develop summary widgets and seamlessly add maps or charts. Users can collaborate on reports with others through shareable links. 
   • QlikView: It has the QlikView Report Editor, a tool that facilitates the grouping of multiple charts and tables onto a single page or, for more intricate reports, across various pages. Notably, QlikView distinguishes between two types of reports: Document and User reports. Document reports are readily accessible to any user on the QlikView server, while User reports are restricted to the creator of said reports, ensuring controlled access to sensitive information. 
2. Data visualization
   • IBM Cognos: It provides a versatile array of data visualization options, allowing you to present the desired data. This BI solution also suggests visualizations tailored to your specific data. Moreover, you can import custom visualizations, highlight critical data points, automatically group data within a single visualization, use graphs for geographic analysis, harmonize color palettes across different visualizations for consistency, and configure reports to refresh automatically at scheduled intervals. 
   • QlikView: It offers a library of pre-designed data visualization templates and the flexibility to customize graphics for real-time interactive analysis. There are four types of data visualizations in QlikView: distribution charts, composition charts, comparison charts, and relationship charts, offering a comprehensive selection of visualization objects. All charts and tables are interactive, enhancing the user experience and analytical capabilities. 
3. Mobile access
   • IBM Cognos: It offers a mobile app on AppStore and Google Play. This app provides online and offline access to dashboards and reports, allowing data exploration from anywhere. Users can create and run new reports through the app, even converting them into portals for others. 
   • QlikView: It offers a mobile app exclusively for iOS, but Android users can access it via a web browser. This mobile access enables you to access data visualizations, dashboards, and reports, even without an internet connection. All QlikView desktop capabilities are accessible via a web browser, allowing users to run reports and receive real-time updates on their data through the mobile app or mobile web browser. 
4. Integrations
   • IBM Cognos: IBM Cognos offers seamless integration capabilities with various applications and tools for reporting, forecasting, travel and expense management, automation, and vendor management. Additionally, it can be integrated with software solutions for surveying and employee monitoring. Some integrations for IBM Cognos are NetDispatcher, Captio Expenses, Limelight, SAP Fieldglass, Key Survey, and Workpuls. 
   • QlikView: It boasts integration options with products and platforms spanning Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and sales automation, data analytics, planning, location intelligence, supply chain management, and learning management systems. Some integrations for QlikView are CrossKnowledge Learning, Suite, Avercast, CARTO, Jedox, Alteryx, and Salesforce Sales Cloud. 
5. Support and training:
   • IBM Cognos: It offers customer support in several ways, except for live help. Moreover, Cognos is well-known for its active online support and training.
   • QlikView: It provides quality support through phone, email, tickets, and live support training. It also offers practical in-person and online training.

Choosing the Right BI Solution for You

Which business intelligence tool is right for your organization? The answer depends on your unique requirements, priorities, and objectives. Consider the specific needs of your team and the nature of your data. Take the time to evaluate each tool’s features, scalability, and compatibility with your existing infrastructure.

Whether you opt for IBM Cognos or QlikView, both tools have demonstrated their prowess in business intelligence. Your choice will be pivotal in shaping how your organization harnesses data to drive decision-making and achieve its goals. So, make your decision wisely, and may it lead your organization to more significant insights and success in the data-driven era.

WRITTEN BY

Anjali Goyal

Anjali Goyal is a content writer at TechEela. She helps businesses increase their online presence with optimized and engaging content. Her service includes blog writing, technical writing, and digital marketing.

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