IBM Planning Analytics - Cognos TM1 - Developers

Experience : 5-7

M1 - client/server software platform

The developers will need to be proficient in build in Planning Analytics Workspace (PAW).

One of the roles is to move us from TM1 Contributor to PAW.

So, if someone has some experience of Contributor, it will be advantageous.

However, it is not mandatory.

Having experience of PAW is mandatory for both the roles

Coordinate user testing of system enhancements, patches and upgrades.

Perform system testing and assist in end user testing.

Perform gap analysis to determine configuration and development changes.

Suggest and coordinate improvements to processes and procedure.

Under this Project Order, the Service Provider is required to deliver below services for TM1 and SPSS:

Service Provision must be in line with agreed service levels

Heightened service levels are required during month-end and forecasting/ budgeting cycles. Any issue impacting accuracy of data or submission process during these times will need to be investigated immediately for a fix and work to continue until an acceptable fix is identified

Monitor daily data loads into TM1 and fix any issues that may prevent data load completion by 9 am. The data loads typically happen between 6:30 am and 8:30 am UK time

Support business in various technical tasks which could include ad-hoc/ scheduled data extracts, reports, among other things

Liaise with IBM where IBM support is required to fix any issues

Perform regular housekeeping

Provide evenings/ weekends cover when an associated activity is scheduled

Work with other Southern Water support teams, e.g., networks, infrastructure, BI, and any other; where the finance user impact could be caused by an issue in another system/ technology

It is expected that in order to deliver the above level of service, the successful bidder will assign highly skilled TM1 and SPSS resources with 5 years experience on the relevant technology pieces. A resource level of at least 3 in each technology would typically be required for critical mass to cover holidays/ sickness, etc. Below is not an exhaustive list of technologies, but the skillset must include:

TM1 applications

Turbo integrator data tool

End-user metadata management tool

TM1 contributor

TM1 web

Planning and Analytics Workspace

Cognos Integration Server

Cognos Command Centre

SPSS

L2 Support for SPSS SQL Server Database

While Planning Analytics is on IBM Cloud rest of the tools are located on-premise. Below activities are in scope for the tools

. TM1 product license renewal and maintenance in consultation with SWS

. User access administration and license administration

. Monitoring of system performance, memory, capacity, storage management

. Adhoc job scheduling; Monitoring data loads

. Troubleshooting and fixes for Models; Models, data tier, File system House keeping

. Coordinate and resolve issues related to integrations with other applications / systems

. Health checks on the tools and regular monitoring

. Adhere to agreed incident and problem management processes to resolve application related incidents / problems

. Adhere to agreed change and release management processes to implement and deploy changes (minor / major / standard / emergency) in to Customers environment. Support SWS changes, scheduled outages and patch release by vendor

. Adhere to agreed Capacity/ Availability management processes to maintain the running of application processes at optimum levels

. Log errors with third party support providers and undertake remedial action to resolution

. Carry out scheduling, running, maintenance and monitoring of interfaces and remediation work

. Adhere to defined SLAs

Preferred skillset

. Expertise on TM1 / Planning Analytics (Architect, Perspective, Performance Modeler, TM1 Web, Contributor and PAW)

. Expertise on Cognos Command Centre and Cognos Integration Server

. Expertise on MS Excel

. Expertise on SQL Server and SPSS

. Knowledge on Python and Windows batch scripting

. Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Ability to debug the errors and resolve the issues. Perform root cause analysis where necessary

. Ability to create Technical documentation, Test reports and Knowledge articles

. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

. Knowledge of Support and Maintenance model. Well versed with Incident Management, Problem Management, Change Management, Service Request fulfillment, Release Management, Patch Management, Vendor Management, and experience in collaborating with cross functional teams