Linking Cubes with Performance Modeler

Performance modeller makes moving/linking data between cubes (and within cube) with ease, and it also makes it easier to track and update as each link is saved separately.

For those who have experience with Cognos Enterprise Planning, this will make you feel right at home.

Here is a simple example on how to create a link:

1. 1. Start up performance modeller, log onto IBM TM1/CX Planner Applications (https://<server host>:9300/pmpsvc) and click the performance modeller icon on the top right corner , then select a TM1 server instance.
   2. In Model Design pane, right-click on a folder where you want to save a link to, and select New, then Link.  Specify a name, then OK.  This will open a link editor view on the main pane.

1. 1. In Model Design pane, click and drag the source cube to “Add Source Cube”, and the target cube to “Add Target Cube”.
   2. Performance modeller will automatically identify the common dimensions (the same dimensions used by both source and target cubes), and creates automatic links between the two.

Link is not completed yet, as there are some unlinked dimensions (or no selection of members).

1. 1. Linking other dimensions can be done by drag and drop of dimension on the left on top of the dimension on the right cube.  And specify the mapping approach, Automatic or Manual.
      • • Automatic mapping (blue) will automatically link up members with the same name, this can be useful as no further maintenance when new members are added.
        • Manual mapping (green) allows assign specific members from source cube to member(s) from the target cube.

      

   2. For any dimensions that are still not linked and does not have a match from the other cube, specify member(s) to transfer or receive data.  You can specify a member, a group of manually selected members, or all leaf members.  In the case of a lookup link with multiple dimension elements select in the target cube, all those elements will be populated with the same data.  For example, unit price to across all cost centres within a region.

1. Now the link is completed, click on Save.

Rules and feeders are automatically generated

When a link is created, rules and feeders are automatically generated and added to rule files of respective cubes.  These rules can be disabled and enabled in the rules file.

Each link with have its own region created, marked by #Region … #EndRegion.  Expand the region to view rules generated, and right click anywhere in the region to disabled or enable it.

Automatically rules cannot be edited.  But instead, you can copy and paste it to a separate area, then edit it.  And then you can disable the original rule.

Lookup links and Accumulation links

1. 1. Pick lists in the measure dimensions can be used as virtual dimensions to link up data between cubes, lookup links and accumulation links.  Double-click on the dimension icon next to the pick list element to open up a virtual dimension.

1. Now, the virtual dimensions are available, you can link up with dimension from source/target cube the same way as above.
   • Lookup links: virtual dimensions are on the target cube, the link is lookup a pick list value, and bring a value from the source cube when there’s a match of the lookup value/item.
   • • Accumulation links: works the opposite way to lookup links, where virtual dimensions are on the source cube, and linked data consists of accumulated value from source into target cube.

   

Linking with dimension attributes

Dimension attributes can also be used as virtual dimension in the same manner as Pick Lists.

1. 1. Make an attribute available by select a dimension, right-click on the header in the member section, and select an available attribute.

1. 1. Right-click on the attribute header and click “show as virtual dimension”.

Now the virtual dimensions are showing, you link up the cubes the same way as above.