Cognos Access

Welcome to the Cognos User Guide

Getting Started with Cognos

Cognos licenses are assigned to positions, not individuals. This means:

  • No license request is needed if a position already has a Cognos license—even if the person in that role changes.
  • A license request is only necessary when:
    • A new position is created that requires Cognos access.
    • An existing position does not currently have a license and needs one.

To ensure a smooth experience with Cognos, please follow the three steps below:

1. Requesting a Cognos License

Your supervisor or business office must request a Cognos license on your behalf. This is the first step to gaining Cognos access. This Cognos License Request QRG provides the steps on how to submit a request.

There are two different types of Cognos licenses:
  • Consumer License - Allows users to view and interact with reports and dashboards within the IBM Cognos Analytics platform, but with limited or no ability to create or modify content 
    • S4 - BI Lic BI215_000_ENH_CONSUMER or PWL Cognos License.
  • Authoring Capabilities - Grants users the ability to create, modify, and publish reports.
    • BOTH roles must be requested:
      • S4 - BI Lic BI215_000_ENH_CONSUMER or PWL Cognos License.
      • S4 - BI Lic BI205_000_PROFESSIONAL or PWL Cognos Author Capability.

2. Data Access Requirements

To access the data you need, a request must be submitted by your supervisor or business office. This can include:

3. Cognos Training

Whether you are new to Cognos or looking to enhance your skills, we offer comprehensive training programs. Click here to view the offered sessions.