Month: April 2014

In early May, Montreal will host the fourth annual Conference of Quebec Developers for FileMaker (CQFD). There will be multiple sessions over a two-day period that will focus on a number of FileMaker related topics including mobile, best practices, the Web and data modeling. Both novices and experts of the industry will be in attendance to learn the latest about the popular database software.

Not only will Kyo Logic be in attendance at the conference, but President and co-founder John Mathewson will be running of the sessions called "Building Applications on a Budget with Reusable Code." This is a topic that we have been highlighting over the last couple of months. In September, it was the topic of a webinar and is a point that has been discussed in several small group presentation.

Over the course of 60 minutes, Mathewson will discuss how to design applications on a budget, specifically focusing on deploying reusable code to the development process to improve efficiency and create a higher return on investment. This includes gathering system requirements to turn them into actionable code, defining what users really want, designing around workflow and using patterns to make the code reusable and modular.

He will also touch on topics including FileMaker anchor buoy and naming conventions and functions promoting reuse, as well as reusable navigation, sort, tab switching and referential integrity scripts.

If you are attending this year's CQFD, we encourage you to come out to the session and learn something new about FileMaker development.

• Previsionary Title: Building Applications on a Budget with Reusable Code
• Format :  60-minute session (Q&A included)
• Date & Time (Subject to change): Friday May 2, 2014 at 11:30 a.m.
• Location: TBD

Every business considering a partnership with a FileMaker developer is going to have questions. In this series we will address the frequently asked questions that our customers have about our services. 

Answer: When creating a new database on the FileMaker platform or any other, one of the keys to success is maintaining the servers that information is processed on. This is needed to not only ensure that data stored on them remains secure at all times, but also to head any potential problems off at the pass.

When your company partners with Kyo Logic to help create a new database, we take full responsibility when it comes to the FileMaker server machine. This takes the pressure off of your company to handle several solutions and instead focus on the data that is being created to improve how your company operates.

Kyo Logic will stay on top of installing all patches and updates to the operating system, FileMaker Servers and add any plug-ins that are released.

We run consistent reviews that can be used to adjust user permissions and examine the server logs for any sign of trouble. This keeps the systems ahead of any potential issues that could cause downtime for your business.

Kyo Logic also verifies to ensure that the backups are running correctly at all times and that there is enough disk space available to house all of the data that is being collected.

All of this information about the server's performance will be provided in a verbal report and checklist to the client to make sure that everyone is on the same page.

If you were to create a tool kit for any entrepreneur of the must-have gadgets to start their business with, the iPad would certainly be included. The device has made it possible for companies to effectively integrate a mobile element to their business.

Now, with the right applications, the mobile device can become nearly any tool that an organization could need. Plug in a Square credit card reader and it's a POS system. Sales people in the field can enter customer information or access critical data to help meet customer demand. It is also possible to run HR, manufacturing projects and countless other business tasks from the palm of your hand.

However, it can be difficult for small and midsized businesses to decide which apps they truly need if they are getting into the mobile landscape for the first time. Last month, NetworkWorld created a list of seven free iPad applications that businesses should download. Topping it was FileMaker Go.

"If you're a FileMaker Pro user on your PC or laptop, FileMaker Go lets you access these database apps from your iPad (note: the PC version is still needed to create, modify and sync your databases)," the post reads. "Version 12 in 2013 was a big change: lots of new features and controls, improved multimedia capabilities, multitasking support, greatly improved speed, and available free for the first time."

Businesses that are new to these systems can partner with a FileMaker solution provider to develop a plan, learn the software and start reaping their benefits.

Many organizations need to create a comprehensive database and certain tools are more popular than others.

A recent article from CITEworld profiled Berklee College of Music in Boston and features an interview with Damien Bracken, the dean of admissions. He mentioned that every year there are roughly 7,200 applicants and to figure out who is the most qualified talent, team admission staff must travel the globe to 120 sites to interview talent and evaluate not only talent but also potential.

To keep all this information updated, secure and streamlined, Berklee employees were required to carry laptops to enter all of this data when it was fresh. The organization was finally able to ditch the heavy computers on 2012 in favor of iPads because FileMaker – the database software the school has been using for over 20 years – released a mobile platform.

This allowed the officials to stay within a single application ecosystem. Now, all 30 members of the school's recruiting team carry the tablet and use the cloud-based software to take notes and upload them to the department from the road.

"Prior to FileMaker Go, which was designed for the iPad, we used some other products but they weren't up to par," Bracken said. "We needed something at a very professional level. As soon as this application came out it was like the sea parting for me, seriously. Having that available on a mobile device is huge for us."

He added that by using this kind of approach, it gives students the feeling that the school has all its ducks in a row when it comes to data.

This is one example for how a FileMaker solution can revolutionize how a business operates.

In a guest column from CitizenTekk, Brad Wilson, the Rentals Manager at Keslow Camera, spoke about how his company has been able to improve business processes through the use of FileMaker. As one of the largest camera rental companies in the Hollywood area, the organization provides equipment that is used in some of the biggest television shows and movies.

However, this also means there can be piles of paperwork to make sure all cameras are accounted for. This is where FileMaker can come into play. Wilson described several ways that operations have improved include:

• Going paperless – It is now much easier to look up order forms or check inventory. This lets employees answer client questions quickly, closing deals more effectively.
• Incorporate additional hardware – Because FileMaker can be used with multiple systems easily including Macs, iPads, iPod Touches and iPhones, employees now have a much easier way to access information and can help address customer needs from anywhere. This also helps manage business in off hours or during emergency calls.
• Improve speed – In a competitive marketplace, speed is everything. With this database, the company can submit bids quickly after checking to make sure they know all the information needed for an accurate assessment.

"The database is hosted on a Mac Pro for easy access across Keslow Camera's offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Santa Fe, and New Orleans," Wilson said. "Managers and staff can tap into the information they need anytime, from anywhere, including via iPads and iPhones. The FileMaker Go app brings the full, rich application to Keslow's iPad and iPhone users – it's not just a slimmed-down version of the database."

With the help of a FileMaker service provider, any organization will be able to follow this path and create a better form of database.

Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) is one of the top software conventions in the industry. Last year, the company gave developers the first view of iOS 7 and OS X 10.9 Mavericks. These were then put into Beta and those with access started troubleshooting.

According to Tech Day, this year's annual event will be held June 2 through 6 at San Francisco's Moscone West. The five-day convention will again present the future of both the mobile and computer operating systems and if history holds true, this years event will have announcements that point to the next big moves for the company and consumers.

While tech enthusiasts will focus on this event because it is a major unveiling for the company, it also means that partner companies will need to adjust to change. Aside from software, the company has also unveiled hardware upgrades like the radically redesigned black cylinder Mac Pro that was unveiled last year.

For companies like FileMaker, this is the unveiling of the platform and hardware that their solution will be paired with.

As we reported last month, FileMaker recently announced its Developer Conference for July 28-31. It is highly likely that what is announced at the WWDC will impact this event, as it could have a direct impact of what the company has planned.

Regardless of what is announced by Apple, it will play a role in the future of solutions that are created by custom database software developers that use FileMaker as their primary tool.

Every software solution goes through a number of updates in order to remain effective. These can be patches to rectify new security threats, updates to existing software glitches or improvements to an existing solution. A majority of the time, these updates are needed to keep the systems firing on all cylinders.

This week, FileMaker released new versions of many of its solutions. This includes FileMaker Pro 13.0v2, FileMaker 13.0v2 Advanced, FileMaker Server 12.0v5 and the Mac version from OS X 10.9 Mavericks only and FileMaker Go 13.0.3 for the iPad and iPhone.

The Pro update addresses the limitations related to the FileMaker Pro URL protocol. It also includes general bug fixes pertaining to calculations and scripting, layout rendering and text editing.

FileMaker Go 13.0.3 expands file transfer capabilities to include moving files between iOS apps on the same device and transferring files between apps on other devices using AirDrop. It also addresses bug fixes and various compatibility issues. 

Making the decision to upgrade a software solution is not easy, especially if it is being used with critical business operations. The IT department needs to make sure that any and all updates are compatible with the other systems. For example, if you are running an older version of the Mac OS, the new FileMaker Server update will not run on this.

If you are a small business, keeping track of all this can be complicated. With the help of a Connecticut FileMaker developer, any organization will be able to assess their current solutions and learn about the new ones.