Some Techniques to Develop Accessible Solutions in FileMaker

Most of the enterprises at present use FileMaker (FM), for creating various customized solutions for their clients as it helps them develop these solutions without much of an effort and wastage of too much of time. This particular relational database application that works on multiple platforms helps the users in updating and modifying their database by simply dragging the new elements into the screens, forms, or layout. The FM version that is being used at present by the users comes up with a string of value added features that help the data to be accessible to the users on a wide variety of mobile as well as conventional devices. However, here it should be mentioned that the programmers need to consider as well as implement a few practices that are considered best in the industry, for developing various robust as well as accessible solutions with the help of FM 13, the present version of FileMaker.

 Enhancing the Readability of the Code

One of the few drawbacks of FM is that it at present is unable to provide a comprehensive code editor that would have been pretty handy for the developers. Hence, when it comes to writing clean or structured codes, the application is seriously short of options and this is a concern for the developers. This is notwithstanding the fact that they have the option of using external editors or snippets along with a string of keyword expansion features as well as tools that come to their aid. As it is always important to write unified codes so that they can be encapsulated or reused without any problem whatsoever, they need to have an option of using grouping conventions that are strongly named. This will help them to handle all the potential errors, without inviting additional dependencies.

Improving the accessibility of the Layout Mode

The accessibility of various FM solutions is very much dependant on the design of the layout. The developers have the option of connecting the field labels with an active field with the use of Accessibility Inspector. The field labels are generally read by screen readers and hence it is imperative that buttons or navigational options are included within the tab order. Furthermore, each and every button needs to have simple as well as short text labels so that the screen reader is able to read the text label of each of the buttons and there is no need to add a title or an extra label to the text of the buttons.

Optimization of the Images

Using images during designing layouts needs to be totally avoided by the developers. Likewise, they need to avoid decorative objects in the event of absence of relevant functions or information. The Accessibility Inspector functionality provides them the option of describing the images in the respective container fields. However, there should be an option that will help them to spell each and every text object accurately, so that they can be read and understood properly by the screen reader. The presence of a pop-up menu instead of a drop down menu can also come in handy and effective.

List View Layout

This is another option that may come in handy. As the developers create FM solutions, they can choose from the List View option as well as from the Table View option of layout. However, when it comes to enhancing the solution accessibility, they can use the List View option of layout while hiding the other option. This needs to be changed and they should have the option of using field objects instead of merging texts, while they are working with the List View layout.

Now when it comes to improving the accessibility, the following things can be done in the Layout mode.

1. The current solutions can be enhanced by adding a particular layout that is designed for accessibility

2. Windows OS can be used as this will simplify the Windows, hide the status toolbar besides using various layout buttons, for providing the required controls

3. Buttons and navigation controls can be included in the tab order

4. All the buttons contain text labels along with naming conventions that are short, simple to understand and consistent.

5. Use of images on layouts needs to be minimized

6. The existing tooltips need to be copied and pasted into the Accessibility Inspector Title Field.

You can get in touch with a custom filemaker development company who can help you develop database application that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide filemaker application development services. If you would like to hire filemaker developer for your database development needs, please contact Mindfire Solutions.

Filemaker – How Does It Provide Stability To Mobile Apps Development

FileMaker Pro can be defined as a cross-platform application for relational database that is specifically designed for integration of a database engine with a specific GUI (Graphic User Interface) -based interface. It provides the users the option of modification of the database through the process of dragging newer elements into various forms, layouts, or screens.

When it comes to providing stability to the mobile apps development, FileMaker is one of the best bets. It is indeed an extremely elegant database system as well as a development platform that is designed to be used for quick development of various visually appealing, robust as well as user friendly mobile apps that can run on various smart phones and iPads.

One of the main reasons why it provides stability is that FileMaker is more than just a database system. The application comes up with features that help in the creation, deployment, as well as management of various data driven business solutions for not only Mac and Windows desktops, but also for iPhones, iPads, iPods and this naturally provides more stability when it comes to mobile app development.

In fact, such has been the impact of FileMaker in development of mobile applications, that as per a survey conducted by Forrester, more than 50 percent of business organizations nowadays are coming up with various types of mobile apps that are developed with the help of FileMaker Pro, simply because of the reason that the application provides more stability along with usability to the apps. Besides, presence of development platform combinations such as Filemaker Pro makes the transition much easier just because they are designed to support various cross-platform applications of mobile devices of different kinds as well as genres.

FileMaker Pro version 12 makes the creation of the database much easier, more so, because of the supplied templates which can be used in the development. Again, files can be created without using the templates as well. Also, the option of creating various interactive applications quickly on the top of the database with the use of capability options like point-click, drag-drop, and the likes, which make FileMaker Pro a perfect application for the development of mobile app. Most importantly, it provides much more stability to the developed apps.

It helps in creating simple as well as complex database and even when it comes to incorporating complex features like referential integrity, indexing, constraints and the likes, FileMaker Pro is particularly indispensable. It also facilitates developing highly stable, visually appealing, as well as an interactive database for various mobile devices in a seamless way and that is what is so special about it.

The latest version – Pro 12 has come up with forty latest payout themes that not only make apps and interface development simpler, but provide more stability to them. This is particularly important for the development of applications for iPhones and iPads, as users will generally expect visually pleasing interfaces when dealing with these devices. The latest version also offers a number of versions of themes that are specifically customized to be used on various mobile devices.

FileMaker pro is designed to facilitate building solid, stable, and robust as well as capable business apps for mobile devices.

Mobile apps, created with the help of FileMaker give the users the chance to get access to various features that are specially custom built for iOS devices. These may include options like digital signatures as well as cameras that are much beyond what are normally offered by the web apps.

FileMaker also comes up with templates that are iOS-specific and that are specifically used for designing apps, which helps presenting consistent native application styles. FileMaker also provides the facility of integrating with the other databases as well as enterprises and also has the capacity to securely as well as stably encrypt data.

This solution comes as a huge advantage for various small as well as mid-size businesses that require iOS apps to perform various tasks, but which generally do not expand their resources for developing native apps, in-house or by recruiting developers from outside. You can get in touch with a custom filemaker development company who can help you develop databases that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide filemaker development services. If you would like to hire filemaker certified developers for your database development needs, please contact us Mindfire Solutions.

FileMaker WebDirect – Maximizing web solutions

The breakthrough web technology of FileMaker WebDirect is present in FileMaker Server 13, running custom business solutions in web browsers directly on laptops or desktops. It is really simple to operate with no requirement of web development skills. FileMaker WebDirect does not require using of coding tools like CSS, HTML5, JavaScript or PHP for the creation of robust web solutions. You simply need to have a basic idea about FileMaker to create solutions and make them accessible in web browsers.

For those who do not want installation or maintenance of software locally, this acts as an ideal alternative. It works really well for those companies whose different teams are located in different offices, as information sharing becomes easy. To use this you have to use FileMaker Pro for the creation of solutions that are tailored for web or those which use pre-built web layout with built-in starter solutions. Then your web solutions must be enabled there and the databases hosted on Server 13. Then the solutions can be simply accessed from the computer through web browser.

The look as well as feel of this application is like desktop applications, giving you some familiar functionalities like:

Live updates- If there are any changes in the solution or data, then you will be able to instantly access those changes without the need for refreshing the browser.

Desktop–styleinteraction– Styles, menus, charts, themes, etc can be used. Files can be dragged and dropped into container fields.

Automated processes- Scripts, conditional formatting as well as calculations can be enabled for validation of data as well as streamlining of workflow.

Some features, benefits as well as solutions of this technology are:

• The number of layout objects should be fewer; in fact the fewer the better. In this case the tabbed interfaces must be divided and put in small field sets on separate layouts.

• A solution can be easily as well as quickly deployed. Anyone can do that without the use of technologies like web authoring tools and such. All you need is a web browser that is compatible.

• Container data along with records can be exported or imported.

• Data can be accessed from almost any device- whether it is while travelling or from home or office.

• Custom web application can be deployed through locking as well as hiding of the status toolbar and menu bar.

• Sorting is one thing that makes WebDirect superior to desktop. The sorting cannot be done locally; so the sorting has to be done on server. This makes the entire process faster.

• If you want the best performance from a solution, themes should not be switched when navigating from one Layout to another. Theme info gets cached by WebDirect through the browser; so when you change themes extra massive data pushes are caused when they are not needed.

• When you to control the CSS amount passing over the network, remember that shared styles along with custom theme make huge differences. A classic existing layout requiring 850K bandwidth for display can be reduced to 25% when it is converted to modern FMP style without any customizations.

• The Format Painter should not be used until it has been fixed for preservation of custom styles. Its very own CSS is used for the creation of custom objects and when it is set for use as shared style, just the opposite happens.

Some other assorted features that are supported by FileMaker WebDirect are data entry validation, script triggers, conditional formatting, quick find, editing and adding data in fields, export and import of records, implicit record commits, etc. In short, it has a number of benefits and provides a great FileMaker database development experience but without needing FileMaker client application. It simply uses JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS to achieve its smooth functioning.

We provide custom filemaker development services. If you would like to hire certified filemaker developers for your development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Save Time and Money With a Customized FileMaker Pro Database System

FileMaker Pro, the cross-platform relational database application is particularly designed to connect to as well as use ODBC or Open Database Connectivity. It provides the users, the option of using the ‘Execute SQL’ script step. This helps in specification of an ODBC DSN (Database Source Name) and execution of any SQL statement that can be built with the help of FileMaker Pro features, including field data.

Frankly speaking, this is an ideal cross-platform RDBS application that helps businesses to store, manage, or update data through effective integration of a database engine with a GUI or Graphic User Interface. Thanks to all these interfaces, the users are able to keep the database regularly updated by simply dragging additional elements into screens, forms or layouts.

FileMaker Pro database can help users save time along with money in the following ways:

A Seamless Integration with the SQL Database:

As it is a cross-platform application that deals with relational database, FileMaker Pro can perform a wide range of SQL queries in a smooth way. Besides, the application can also be effectively used to synchronize various information that is stored on several data sources.

Depending upon the specific developments and requirements pertaining to testing, users can further link or redirect their ESS connections to different SQL databases. This particular feature helps the users in retrieving data from various data sources quickly as well as effectively!

It helps in easy and quick determination of users’ needs

The database application is particularly effective in providing credible solutions for small business groups or departments. The application provides able support to personnel entering data, people who are in charge of turning out reports and last but not the least, the managers. The whole process becomes quicker as well. Hence, the app goes a long way in saving businesses, both time as well as money.

It offers a wide range of highly advanced solutions:

With the help of this particular database system, it has become easier to manage various resources, contents, projects and other critical business aspects. The professionally created designs further augment the pace of work and help update and maintain the databases. Users can also use scripting for easy download as well as for use of online contents straight away from a URL or link. This understandably increases the pace by many folds, thereby reducing the time frame significantly. With the reduction of time, the costs also are reduced to a considerable extent.

Helps generation of coercive reports:

With the help of FileMaker Pro Database System, a user is also able to create comprehensive as well as enticing reports. The Quick Charts option that the application comes up with, helps in this. Also, users are able to generate customized reports in a format that has similarity with spreadsheets. Value added features like pie charts, area, bar, line graphs can also be added. All these features help the users a lot, when it comes to making charts faster or integrating them with a set-up window.

It quickens the rate of Datbase update:

Besides being a cross-platform relational database application, it also helps by providing easier options of appending, editing or updating databases. The Starter solution that the application comes up with, makes it easier to manage resources, contents, projects and estimates. Also, all these operations can be conducted in hardly any time. Furthermore, the customized solutions help the developers while designing and developing highly powerful mobile and website applications, which are able to provide the latest and the most relevant contents as well as info to the users.

Truly, the application comes up with some stupendous features that help businesses drastically cut down expenses as well as time of various operations. This makes this application almost indispensable in a modern business fraternity.You can get in touch with a custom filemaker development company who can help you develop database application within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide filemaker development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our certified filemaker developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Online Businesses Boom With Custom FileMaker Solutions

Technology has taken a new turn, progressing at a faster pace. The latest developments in technology can be seen and felt in many industries, be it Healthcare, Communication, Business and Education. So much is happening in the world of the web these days, especially in terms of commercial activity at all levels, all industries are planning to get online and reach to millions of users through web.

Plenty of sites know that FileMaker is a software solution they can rely on to help them handle a wide range of tasks on their web site, but what many do not yet know is that a custom FileMaker solution is possible for them which can really help them integrate all sorts of valuable 3rd party services without doing development from scratch. FileMaker database development hence has picked up steam to create highly customizable cross-platform database solutions. Now that developers are rising to the top which truly understand all of the capabilities that FileMaker can bring to the table, much more efficient, sensible and powerful solutions are being developed which can greatly enhance any web site’s ability to do business. It was developed by Apple in 1992 and since then serving millions of web users worldwide.

FileMaker with its custom work is of the highest value in this case because a business really does need its site to be in top form if they are going to present the customer with the easiest shopping experience that is required to earn sales online today. With new versions and releases FileMaker supports multitasking, improved media integration, export of data to multiple formats, enhanced container-fields and allows users to modify the database by dragging new elements into the layouts, screens or forms. With FileMaker design attractive and useful printed reports can be generated. FileMaker’s new-layout wizard tries to make things easy, the layout design is too important to be done on automatic.

A wide variety of tasks can be handled well in FileMaker:

• Digital media data can be organized well, it can easily track tasks and projects, check inventory and much more.

• It provides 16 built-in Starter Solutions — professionally designed templates customized for your iPad, iPhone and desktop as well.

• Collect and organize documents, music, images, and more. Includes version history tracking for content management system.

• Managing inventory levels of products and supplies. Track category, value, last order date and more.

• It generates customized invoices, allowing users to record, manage and print neat invoices with customer details etc.

• The FileMaker user interface makes it so that these smaller business users, with little to no financial resources, can start a database of their own without having to invest too much money or effort.

• Creating dynamic charts of your FileMaker data are now easier than ever.

• It is user friendly and all kinds of users will love to use FileMaker.

• FileMaker to offer its mobile solution for free in the Apple iTunes Store. Customers and developers can now more easily test and deploy mobile database solutions.

• Brings new features making your mobile solution more versatile and powerful: users can now record video and audio directly into container fields and export data. New location functions now allow developers to rapidly create location-aware mobile database applications.

• This function is context independent, so data can be queried regardless of what layout/table occurrence you are in.

• This level of outsourcing can do a great deal for a business venture that is very much attuned to the profit potential of excellent custom software solutions.

FileMaker is an excellent choice for all kinds of organizations which deal with a perfect complement of features and power. It delivers the ability to automatically update and deploy plug-ins to clients across the network. This high-performance relational database engine accelerates FileMaker operations over a network both by increasing the speed of database operations and by allowing up to 250 simultaneous guests per server-while hosting up to 125 database files.These capabilities make it an excellent choice for departments and workgroups in any size business.

We provide filemaker development services. If you would like to know what makes us expert filemaker developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.