Creating a report is actually the process of creating a specification. The specification defines prompts and queries used to produce the data. The specification defines the layout and style used to present the data.
When starting out, use the reports supplied by the Selling and Fulfillment Foundation as a template, then make changes required and save the result using a different name. This process simplifies the creation and saves time. Selling and Fulfillment Foundation supplies a number of reports that are documented in the manual.
Creating a report involves:
- Specifying a Package - The package used to produce reports are the models that are created in Framework Manager. A model is a set of related query subjects and other objects such as filters and calculations.
- Choosing a Template - You can select a predefined template that has been formatted for a specific report type. You can also use one of the reports provided by the Selling and Fulfillment Foundation.
- Adding Query Items - Adding data means selected query items that are required to produce the report data.
- Saving a Report - A report can be save to an individual computer or to the Cognos 8 BI 8.4 server
- Running the Report - Run a report to determine if the data you selected is the data that is being returned. A report can also run from the Cognos connection.