Newsletter – September 2025

By Nikki Sharp | 18 September 2025

What’s New in IBM Planning Analytics

Some features we’re excited about this month are:

Configure empty picklist value, we’ve never liked the “–None–” option and this is now
configurable
Drill views display full toolbar and set editor, this will help with export and saves of drill
results
TI scripts shows variable value on hover over, developing TI scripts just got easier
Database explorer improvements including hierarchy counts and process data source
types
Ability to configure memory limits on MDX queries

Full listings can be found here: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/planninganalytics/
2.1.0?topic=new-planning-analytics-features

Planning Analytics on Cloud

IBM Planning Analytics Workspace is running version 2.0.106
TM1 Server is running version 11.8.02200.2
Critical patches are applied on the third Saturday of every month the next scheduled
window is 20th September 2025

End of Support for Planning Analytics 2.0.9.x

General support for Planning Analytics 2.0.9.x will run until 31st October 2025.
Extended Support, an additional purchase beyond general support, will be available for an
additional year, until 31st October 2026.
It’s important to note that IBM Planning Analytics versions will normally fall under a 3-year
lifecycle for general support.
Further details on IBM Planning Analytics Lifecycle can be found here:
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/planning-analytics-local-lifecycle

How to check your IBM software version;

Navigate to the server where the Planning Analytics server components are installed
Search through windows folders for the Planning Analytics installation directory (e.g.
C:/Program Files/IBM/Cognos/tm1_64) – this directory may be slightly different
depending on the version you are running and installation choices
Within this directory search for the file “cmplst.txt” (this contains a full breakdown of
the exact release that you have installed) and please share a copy of this file with us
Alternatively, get in touch and we can organise a Teams call.

Upgrading to Planning Analytics Local 2.1

Planning Analytics Local 2.1 is a direct upgrade from Planning Analytics 2.0. The upgrade to
version 2.1 does not require changes to the TM1 databases, planning Analytics Workspace
content, Planning Analytics for Excel reports or Websheets.
Planning Analytics 2.1 does not include TM1 Architect, TM1 Perspectives, TM1 Applications,
Performance Modeler or Cognos Insight. These components are not supported in Planning
Analytics 2.1
Deprecated Features/ Capabilities – https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/planninganalytics/
2.1.0?topic=21-deprecated-features-in-planning-analytics-local

Moving from Perspectives to IBM Planning Analytics for Excel (PAX)

Perspectives and Architect are deprecated from 31st October 2025. If you have not already then
you will need to update all Perspectives based excel reports to IBM Planning Analytics for Excel
(PAX) reports.
In short, the only ‘forced’ change is to Action buttons and for those Perspectives reports
consumed via TM1Web these will continue to work. However, if changes are required to those
reports, then they will have to be updated to PAX reports and re-uploaded.
IBM Guidance: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/planning-analytics/2.0.0?topic=pame-movingfrom-
tm1-perspectives-planning-analytics-microsoft-excel
If you use excel macros in your reports then you will need to update these to use the IBM Cognos
automation API, further details on this can be found here:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/planning-analytics/2.0.0?topic=excel-planning-analyticsmicrosoft-
api

TM1 Database 12

TM1 Database 12 is the next-generation IBM Planning Analytics database available on IBM
Cloud Pak for Data and IBM Planning Analytics as a Service platforms.
What’s new in TM1 Database 12 – https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/planninganalytics/
2.0.0?topic=12-whats-new-in-tm1-database

Version 12.5 was refreshed on 25th June 2025 to include 􀏐ixes only
Key benefits of Database 12
o High availability (with failover)
o Horizonal scalability
o TI enhancements; asynchronous process running/ management, execute and
manage HTTP requests

Cognos Analytics v12.1.0

Cognos Analytics 12.1.0 is a direct upgrade from Cognos Analytics 11.1.x, which reached End of
Support in April 2024.

Supported Upgrade;

You can upgrade directly from any 11.1.x release to 12.1.0 without first upgrading to an
intermediate version.
No intermediate migration to 12.0.x is required, though some organisations choose to do
it in stages for testing.

Key Considerations;

Review custom reports, dashboards, and security settings before upgrading.
Test data sources and connections in a staging environment.
Ensure Java and system requirements meet 12.1.0 prerequisites.

Benefits of Upgrading;

Access to enhanced UI and modern visualisation tools.
Improved performance and scalability.
New features such as Data Brushing, mobile classic report support, and CSV export
flexibility.
Long-term support from IBM for future updates.

End of Support Consideration;

Upgrading ensures you stay on a supported release

For more info see – https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/cognos-analytics/12.1.0?topic=121x-release-1210-april-2025

Stay Connected

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch;
General queries: [email protected] or call 0161 464 3687.
Support queries: Your dedicated Spitfire Support email or call 0161 464 0868.

Thank you,

The Spitfire Team