# IBM Cognos Analytics vs Infor Birst Comparison --- ## AI Generated Summary - **G2 reviewers report** that IBM Cognos Analytics excels in providing a stable and fast experience once set up, making it a reliable choice for users who need to pull consistent reports from multiple data sources. Users appreciate its ability to turn complex data into clear visuals, which is particularly beneficial for management presentations. - **Users say** that Infor Birst stands out for its user-friendly data modeling capabilities, allowing for easy configuration of data sources. Reviewers highlight the straightforward nature of the tool, making it accessible for those who may not be as technically inclined. - **According to verified reviews** , IBM Cognos Analytics is favored for its robust dashboard tools that help users create visually engaging reports. This feature is particularly noted in educational settings, where users can effectively demonstrate data insights to students. - **Reviewers mention** that Infor Birst offers impressive dashboard capabilities and a seamless integration with CRMs, which enhances its usability for businesses looking for straightforward business intelligence solutions without the complexity often found in other tools. - **G2 reviewers highlight** that while IBM Cognos Analytics is powerful, some users find it challenging to navigate initially, especially when creating complex reports. However, once users become familiar with the interface, they appreciate the depth of functionality it offers. - **Users report** that Infor Birst's emphasis on custom measures and attributes creation is a significant advantage, as it allows for tailored reporting that meets specific business needs, making it a strong contender for mid-market companies looking for flexibility. | | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Star Rating** | 4.1 out of 5 | 4.0 out of 5 | | **Total Reviews** | 461 | 100 | | **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (58.5% of reviews) | Mid-Market (40.5% of reviews) | | **Entry Level Price** | Starting at $44.90 1 User Per Month | No pricing available | --- ## Top Pros & Cons ### IBM Cognos Analytics Pros: - Ease of Use (36 reviews) - Report Generation (17 reviews) Cons: - Learning Curve (18 reviews) - Learning Difficulty (10 reviews) ### Infor Birst **Not enough data** --- ## Ratings Comparison | Rating | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Meets Requirements** | 8.2 (318 reviews) | 8.1 (69 reviews) | | **Ease of Use** | 7.5 (341 reviews) | 7.8 (69 reviews) | | **Ease of Setup** | 7.2 (199 reviews) | 7.7 (49 reviews) | | **Ease of Admin** | 7.0 (143 reviews) | 7.7 (48 reviews) | | **Quality of Support** | 7.5 (285 reviews) | 7.9 (65 reviews) | | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 7.8 (139 reviews) | 8.3 (47 reviews) | | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 7.9 (301 reviews) | 8.6 (65 reviews) | --- ## Pricing ### IBM Cognos Analytics #### Entry-Level Pricing Plan: Cognos® Analytics On Demand - Premium Price: Starting at $44.90 1 User Per Month Description: A fully managed solution for up to 200 users • AI Agents, reporting, data discovery and dashboarding • Upgrades, infrastructure and scaling • Mix and match licenses based on user requirements in one tenant • No minimum quantity, pay as you grow Key Features: - https://www.ibm.com/marketplace/purchase/configuration/en/us/checkout?editionID=EID2RPAX - All Standard features + - Create, run and schedule reports [Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-cognos-analytics/pricing) #### Free Trial Yes ### Infor Birst #### Entry-Level Pricing No pricing available #### Free Trial Yes --- ## Features Comparison By Category ### Business Intelligence | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IBM Cognos Analytics** | 8.6/10 | 265 | | **Infor Birst** | N/A | N/A | #### Reports | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Reports Interface** | 8.1 (206 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (49 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Steps to Answer** | 7.6 (164 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Graphs and Charts** | 8.1 (195 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (50 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Score Cards** | 7.7 (144 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (42 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Dashboards** | 7.9 (189 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (51 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Self Service | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Calculated Fields** | 8.1 (176 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (48 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Column Filtering** | 8.5 (194 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (49 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Discovery** | 8.0 (179 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.9 (44 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Search** | 7.7 (164 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.8 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Collaboration / Workflow** | 7.6 (160 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.7 (42 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Automodeling** | 7.3 (126 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.5 (40 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Advanced Analytics | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Predictive Analytics** | 7.8 (132 reviews) ✓ Verified | Feature Not Available | | **Data Visualization** | 8.0 (168 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Big Data Services** | 8.0 (120 reviews) | 7.8 (37 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Building Reports | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Data Transformation** | 8.2 (122 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (39 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Modeling** | 8.2 (121 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (40 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **WYSIWYG Report Design** | 7.9 (108 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (31 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Integration APIs** | 7.5 (92 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (33 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Platform | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Mobile User Support** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Customization ** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **User, Role, and Access Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Internationalization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Sandbox / Test Environments** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Performance and Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | | **Breadth of Partner Applications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | ### Analytics Platforms | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IBM Cognos Analytics** | 8.1/10 | 272 | | **Infor Birst** | 8.1/10 | 73 | #### Reports | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Reports Interface** | 8.1 (206 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (49 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Steps to Answer** | 7.6 (164 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Graphs and Charts** | 8.1 (195 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (50 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Score Cards** | 7.7 (144 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (42 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Dashboards** | 7.9 (189 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (51 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Data Preparation | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Connectors** | 8.2 (72 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (25 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Governance** | 8.3 (73 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (21 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Data Modeling and Blending | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Data Querying** | 8.4 (77 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.6 (23 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Filtering** | 8.5 (77 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (25 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Blending** | 8.2 (74 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (24 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Generative AI | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | 7.3 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | | **AI Text Summarization** | 7.5 (37 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI - Analytics Platforms | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Autonomous Task Execution** | 7.7 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Multi-step Planning** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Cross-system Integration** | 7.6 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Adaptive Learning** | 8.0 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Natural Language Interaction** | 8.0 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Proactive Assistance** | 8.0 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Decision Making** | 7.8 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Self Service | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Calculated Fields** | 8.1 (176 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (48 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Column Filtering** | 8.5 (194 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (49 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Discovery** | 8.0 (179 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.9 (44 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Search** | 7.7 (164 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.8 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Collaboration / Workflow** | 7.6 (160 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.7 (42 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Automodeling** | 7.3 (126 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.5 (40 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Deployment & Integration - Analytics Platforms | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **No-code Dashboard Builder** | 8.1 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Report Scheduling and Automation** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Embedded Analytics and White-labeling** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Source Connectivity** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Advanced Analytics | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Predictive Analytics** | 7.8 (132 reviews) ✓ Verified | Feature Not Available | | **Data Visualization** | 8.0 (168 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Big Data Services** | 8.0 (120 reviews) | 7.8 (37 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Performance & Scalability - Analytics Platforms | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Large data handling and Query Speed** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Concurrent User Support** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Advanced Analytics & Modeling - Analytics Platforms | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Data Modeling and Governance** | 9.1 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Notebook and Script Integration** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Built-in Predictive and Statistical Models** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Agentic AI Capabilities - Analytics Platforms | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Auto-generated Insights and Narratives** | 9.2 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Natural Language Queries** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Proactive KPI Monitoring and Alerts** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **AI Agents for Analytical Follow-ups** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | #### Personalized Intelligence - Analytics Platforms | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Behavioral Learning for Contextual Query Refinement** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | | **Role-based Insight Personalization** | 7.8 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Conversational and Prompt-based Analytics** | 8.1 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Building Reports | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Data Transformation** | 8.2 (122 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (39 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Modeling** | 8.2 (121 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (40 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **WYSIWYG Report Design** | 7.9 (108 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (31 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Integration APIs** | 7.5 (92 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (33 reviews) ✓ Verified | ### Embedded Business Intelligence | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IBM Cognos Analytics** | 8.6/10 | 263 | | **Infor Birst** | N/A | N/A | #### Reports | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Reports Interface** | 8.1 (206 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (49 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Steps to Answer** | 7.6 (164 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Graphs and Charts** | 8.1 (195 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.4 (50 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Score Cards** | 7.7 (144 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (42 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Dashboards** | 7.9 (189 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.5 (51 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Self Service | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Calculated Fields** | 8.1 (176 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.3 (48 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Column Filtering** | 8.5 (194 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.1 (49 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Discovery** | 8.0 (179 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.9 (44 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Search** | 7.7 (164 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.8 (47 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Collaboration / Workflow** | 7.6 (160 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.7 (42 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Automodeling** | 7.3 (126 reviews) ✓ Verified | 7.5 (40 reviews) ✓ Verified | #### Building Reports | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Data Transformation** | 8.2 (122 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (39 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Data Modeling** | 8.2 (121 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (40 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **WYSIWYG Report Design** | 7.9 (108 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (31 reviews) ✓ Verified | | **Integration APIs** | 7.5 (92 reviews) ✓ Verified | 8.0 (33 reviews) ✓ Verified | ### Predictive Analytics | Product | Score | Reviews | |---|---|---| | **IBM Cognos Analytics** | 8.5/10 | 37 | | **Infor Birst** | N/A | N/A | #### Statistical Tool | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Scripting** | 8.2 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Mining** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Algorithms** | 8.6 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Data Analysis | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Analysis** | 8.7 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Interaction** | 8.8 (34 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Decision Making | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Modeling** | 8.7 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Visualizations** | 8.6 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Report Generation** | 8.4 (36 reviews) | Not enough data | | **Data Unification** | 8.3 (32 reviews) | Not enough data | #### Generative AI | Feature | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **AI Text Generation** | 7.9 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | | **AI Text Summarization** | 8.0 (19 reviews) | Not enough data | --- ## Categories **Shared Categories (1):** [Analytics Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/analytics-platforms) **Unique to IBM Cognos Analytics (2):** [Embedded Business Intelligence Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/embedded-business-intelligence), [Predictive Analytics Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/predictive-analytics) --- ## Reviewer Demographics ### By Company Size | Segment | IBM Cognos Analytics | Infor Birst | |---|---|---| | **Small-Business** | 15.6% | 19.0% | | **Mid-Market** | 25.9% | 40.5% | | **Enterprise** | 58.5% | 40.5% | ### By Industry #### IBM Cognos Analytics - **Information Technology and Services:** 11.1% - **Insurance:** 8.5% - **Financial Services:** 8.2% - **Computer Software:** 6.4% - **Banking:** 5.4% - **Education Management:** 4.9% - **Higher Education:** 4.9% - **Government Administration:** 3.9% - **Retail:** 3.6% - **Consulting:** 2.8% - **Other:** 40.2% #### Infor Birst - **Information Technology and Services:** 11.9% - **Computer Software:** 8.3% - **Retail:** 6.0% - **Financial Services:** 4.8% - **Telecommunications:** 4.8% - **Hospital & Health Care:** 4.8% - **Human Resources:** 4.8% - **Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing:** 3.6% - **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.6% - **Food & Beverages:** 2.4% - **Other:** 45.2% --- ## Alternatives ### Alternatives to IBM Cognos Analytics - [Tableau](https://www.g2.com/products/tableau/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (3650 reviews) - [Qlik Sense](https://www.g2.com/products/qlik-sense/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (928 reviews) - [GoodData.AI](https://www.g2.com/products/gooddata-ai/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (591 reviews) - 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Title: [Where can I find more answers on my questions?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/further-faqs) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)* > **Top comment:** "Check out this blog https://www.ibm.com/communities/analytics/cognos-analytics/blog/" - Title: [What is IBM Cognos Analytics with Watson used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-ibm-cognos-analytics-with-watson-used-for) — 1 comment > **Top comment:** "You can leverage IBM Cognos Analytics with Watson for many of the reasons: Business Intelligence & Reporting: It helps organizations turn raw data into..." - Title: [What are all the different types of prompt in Cognos?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-all-the-different-types-of-prompt-in-cognos) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "In IBM Cognos, prompts are user interface objects that allow users to enter parameter values that are used to filter and control the content of a report...." - Title: [Why only 10000 limit is kept in filters for dashboard](https://www.g2.com/discussions/why-only-10000-limit-is-kept-in-filters-for-dashboard) — 1 comment, 1 upvote > **Top comment:** "When you ran data big banks which has million of records, thats why filters capacity 10k is defined." ### Infor Birst No discussions available for this product. --- **Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/ibm-cognos-analytics-vs-infor-birst)