Tips to Work with FileMaker Pro 13

As an efficient relational database application, FileMaker Pro is used by enterprises in cross-platform environments. FileMaker Pro 13 further comes with several new features to help programmers in creating a variety of custom business solutions for various devices. Along with new design, development and security features, the latest version of the relational database application also comes with several features to rapidly create applications for iPhone and iPad. However, it is important for new users to understand some tips and tricks to work with FileMaker Pro 13 more efficiently.

Tips for Designing Custom Solutions in FileMaker Pro 13

Understand Different Ways to Create a File

FileMaker Pro allows you to create databases in a number of ways. You can create a new file from the scratch or create a new file by importing data from another application. FileMaker allows you to import data stored as XML, Microsoft Excel and Tab-Separated Text (.tab or .txt). Likewise, you also have option to convert an older version of FileMaker Pro file. Also, you can create the file using Starter Solutions (templates). When you understand different ways to create a new file, it will be easier for you to decide the most appropriate method for creating a new file.

Use Field Picker to Define Database Fields

After crating the new database, you can use the Field Picker dialog box to define the fields in simple and quick way. The dialog box can also be used for adding or changing fields for an existing layout. Once you define the fields using Field Picker, they will be added to the Manage Database dialog box. However, you use the Field Picker to define fields for the current layout of the current table in FileMaker Pro. The dialog box will allow you to decide the field configuration through options like labels and field placement.

Use Field Picker to Control Fields

In addition to creating new fields, the Field Picker dialog box can also be used for deleting and modifying existing fields. While in Layout Mode you can always access the dialog box by clicking on the “Field Picker” button displayed in the status toolbar. After selecting one or more fields, you can simply right-click or control-click on them and select the Delete Field option. Likewise, you can choose the field type by choosing the new field type from the list. You can further choose the Field Options after right-clicking on the specific theme.

Use Themes to Make the Database Solution Look Professional

FileMaker Pro 13 allows you to use themes to provide professional look to the business solution. As a collection of coordinated styles, a theme allows you to easily define various attributes of the layout including color, font, background, parts and objects. You can further use the theme to provide a consistent look to both layouts and reports. The theme can be further changed for a layout in the Layout mode. You also have option to save the theme in a new name after incorporating desired changes. You must know how to use and manipulate themes to make your application look more professional.

Keep the Layout and Navigation Simple

Along with making the layout look professional, it is also important to keep it simple. You must make it a practice to avoid adding additional fields and objects to the layout. Likewise, you need to remove the fields and layout objects that will be used by the users rarely. If it is required to use secondary fields and layout objects, you can consider removing them from the main layout. You can move the secondary fields to another layout, or separate them using tab panels or slide panels. While designing the solution, you must keep the navigation option simple and fast. The users must be able to navigate without putting any extra time and effort. Instead of using buttons, you can consider using icons to covey the information to users without labeling.

While creating custom business solutions using FileMaker Pro 13, the developers must not forget to avail styles, custom themes and layout enhancements. The new features will help them in improving the application’s look, feel and performance without writing longer lines of code while doing FileMaker development.

We provide FileMaker database development service. If you would like to hire Filemaker developers for your database development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

FileMaker and Businesses – How Does It Satisfy Your DB Needs

The database needs vary from one enterprise to another. But each business want to pick a relational database management system (RDBMS) that is reliable, scalable and easy to manage. At the same time, the RDBMS also needs to meet the frequently changing information management needs of the business, while delivering predictable service level.

As a relational database application, FileMaker is designed to meet the information management needs of modern business. As the application is integrates a GUI-based interface and database engine, it becomes easier for users to modify the database according to their changing information management needs. At the same time a company can also use FileMaker to make its business data accessible over several platforms and devices.

Why FileMaker Pro can meet the DB Needs of Your Business?

Easy to Use

Each business looks for a database application that can be use by employees regardless of their level of computer literacy. FileMaker Pro comes with a graphical user interface (GUI) that can be accessed by users without putting any extra effort. So your employees can learn how to use the relational database application within a shorter span of time. Further, your business can migrate to FileMaker Pro without providing any specialized training to the employees.

Easy to Start

FileMaker Platform further enables users to easily create custom database solutions. For instance, the users can create database solution simply by dragging and dropping their existing Excel files into the FileMaker solution. Likewise, they can use several built-in tools and solution to create database solutions within a shorter span of time. The tools further make it easier for the users to modify the database according to their specific information management needs. That is why; your business can switch to the relational database applications regardless of your existing database management system.

Highly Scalable

Nowadays, each business has to manage a wide variety of information and data. The volume of the data or information also grows gradually with the expansion of the business. So each business wants to use a database application that is highly scalable. A business has option to choose from several products launched under the FileMaker Platform. The FileMaker Pro comes with features to help businesses in creating and running database solutions, whereas the FileMaker Pro Advanced provided specialized tools to create and manage custom solutions. That is why; your business can easily expand the relational database application to accommodate the increase in the volume of data or information.

Facilitates Multi-Platform Sharing

Nowadays, people access information and data on a variety of devices. A constant increase is being noted in the number of professionals accessing business data on their iPhones and iPads. So it has become essential for modern enterprises to enable their employees to access the business data anytime and anywhere. Your business can share FileMaker information safely across a variety of devices. The information can be accessed by users on platforms like Windows and Mac, and mobile devices like iPhone and iPad. Further, you can safely share the business information on the web or over a network.

Enhanced File Security Features

Unlike other relational database applications, FileMaker Pro comes with several features to keep database files secure and inaccessible. However, FileMaker aims to keep the security setup simple and transparent for end users. The security features of FileMaker cover both application development and system administration. These features protect the application’s integrity, while allowing end users to carry out the desired changes. The relational database application further protects data, script execution and meta-data through fine-grain access control mechanisms. At the same time, FileMaker Server allows users to avail additional security features like user authentication and protection of network resources.

Each enterprise also has option to choose from a number of products available under the FileMaker Platform. Based on its specific information management needs, a business can choose FileMaker Pro 13, FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced, FileMaker Go 13, or FileMaker Server 13. So it becomes easier for companies to create and deploy custom database solutions to effectuate the overall information management. 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 database design service. If you would like to hire Filemaker developer for your database development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

Is FileMaker Go the Best One for iPad and iPhone?

In February 2014, FileMaker officially announced that “its FileMaker Go for iPad and iPhone apps have surpassed 1,000,000 downloads from the iTunes App Store. The milestone confirms the continued popularity of the FileMaker Platform for creating custom business solutions that run on iPad and iPhone.” The download figure clearly indicates that FileMaker Go is being used by enterprises across the world as an effective mobile app development platform for iPhone and iPad.

The platform enables programmers to create robust iOS applications without any software development knowledge and experience. So many enterprises rely on FileMaker Go to build, deploy and update custom solutions for iPhone and iPad without hiring seasoned mobile application developers. The users can simply install the FileMaker Go app on their iOS devices, and connect to the FileMaker server that delivers the apps. Thus, the existing apps can be updated and rolled out automatically.

 

Features that Make FileMaker Go the Best Option for iPhone and iPad

 

An Integrated Platform for Developing, Deploying and Managing iOS Apps

The integrated platform provided by FileMaker makes it easier for developers to create, deploy and manage data-driven solutions for iPhone and iPad. The integrated platform also enables them to efficiently streamline a variety of business processes like sales and service route management, field data collection, event registration, warehouse inventory tracking and executive dashboard. The smart options collection, distribution and management of business data help businesses in replacing their paper-based workflow management solutions.

 

Create Custom Solutions without External Libraries and Coding

FileMaker Go further makes it easier for developers to create custom data-driven solutions for iPhone and iPad without writing additional code and using any external libraries. The platform enables them to easily accomplish several complex tasks like data validation, workflow integration, searching and sorting, and storage of images, videos and other files. The custom solution can further access the data stored on Excel sheets and other data sources.

 

Implement Role Based Security without Any Hassle

While creating data-driven solutions for iPhone and iPad, programmers often find it a daunting challenge to implement role-based security. But FileMaker enables developers to implement role-based security without writing any complex code. They can simply select specific forms, tables or fields to make them accessible only to authorized individuals and groups. The FileMaker Server can be further integrated with other widely used authentication systems to impose the access restrictions effectively.

 

Smooth Integration of iOS Solutions and Existing Business Systems

The new custom solutions need to be integrated with spreadsheets, SQL engines, ERP applications and similar business systems. FileMaker Go comes with a powerful app server with integration services that makes it easier for developers to integrate the custom iOS apps with existing business systems. The server enables developers to accomplish the integration through built-in connections to external SQL data sources and open exchange formats. Along with external Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL and similar SQL data sources, the programmers also have option to use open exchange formats XML, ODBC, JDBC and PHP. At the same time, they can further use HTML 5 to integrate the existing web browser based solutions with a FileMaker database.

 

Enhance Team’s Productivity

FileMaker Go 13 also comes with several features to help enterprises in enhancing the overall productivity of their teams. The team members can avoid using paper by using the online forms to collect, modify, search and sort data. They can even use the FileMaker Go app to deliver invoices and capture signatures for invoices on the go. The app further allows them to add photos, videos and audio directly to the custom solution just with a few taps. Also, they can access the executive dashboard summaries with impressive charts and graphs, while generating and printing forms and reports directly from their iPhones and iPads.

 

The most recent version of FileMaker Go comes with more than 50 new features. So FileMaker Go 13 makes the platform more effective in meeting the current and upcoming trends in iOS app development. At the same time, the programmers also have option to use the starter templates to accomplish a wide range of tasks including creating invoices, managing contacts and tracking assets.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 database development services. If you would like hire filemaker expert for your database development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

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.

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.