Author: Justin Hesser

When it comes to education, student assessment is a major tool to help schools and educators ensure that young people are acquiring the knowledge needed to meet today's challenges. In many instances, this means standardized testing, which is falling out of favor with more and more educators, as the belief is that these tests are actually counter-productive as teachers end up more concerned teaching for the test instead of providing a well-rounded education.

However, there are other tools out there that provide a more continuous assessment and guidance of students throughout their education. A recent article from the Sydney Morning Herald profiled former teacher and educational software developer Frank Ryder and Apple Distinguished Educator Gary Bass. The duo is responsible for a mobile application called Rubrica, which runs on an iPad and is powered by FileMaker.

Rubrica is a rubrics manager and tool for teachers. Rubrics have been around the educational landscape for decades and interest in them has increased in recent years as demand on teachers and students has increased. They help teachers deal with problems by creating a continual assessment and responding to the widely varying needs of students individually, in class or in a learning space. This helps educators better understand what students are good at, where trouble areas are and how performances might improve.

''The whole idea of student learning is that you want generous effort and improvement,'' Bass told the news source. ''You don't want minimal effort to achieve a desired score; not just get a score, but put in value and interpretation. Assessment is about the standard you achieve, not when you did it [as a single-shot examination shows]."

Bass went on to say that this is created by developers who had access to a high level of technology. However, there was a feeling that educational software was being used for trivial programs when it could be used to improve a number of things, most noticeably assessments.

This change is needed because the traditional way of handling assessments no longer works. For a process that has such high stakes, it is onerous and time consuming, while there is technology available that can make the process easier and more effective. It makes the need for a single standardize text obsolete.

''An example is dance,'' Ryder told the news source. ''It's more qualitative than quantitative. But you can use a rubric with a set of descriptive things that the assessor is looking for, and so an assessment can be done."

The App works with FileMaker Go and runs on an iPad. It allows teachers to load their student roster, track their progress against the rubric and leave comments. Completed assessments can be printed or transferred to other teachers and schools if the student was to be moved. Everything is stored locally, meaning there is no possibility of a network or cloud breach gaining access to the information.

This move by Bass and Ryder show what is possible when the latest technology is used to improve an older system. With the help of a FileMaker developer, any business can start taking steps to create a custom piece of software and redefine a traditional process.

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: You would be hard pressed to find any company that only uses one software suite. While an organization is certain to rely heavily on one or two systems in particular, the nature of business means companies are using or have used a multitude of different solutions.

For businesses that have operated for some time, it is possible that multiple systems are still in use. As the business landscape has evolved, it is not unheard of for a company to bring in new systems and try to incorporate it with the existing solutions.

Once this has happened, some aspects of older software may prove to be the best way for a company to handle business. This creates a hodgepodge of solutions that an organization is now using to hand the core data and processes of their business.

The problem with this is that it can now become difficult to try and move onto a new system. This is where partnering with a software provider that is not stuck in a silo becomes crucial because it provides organizations with one place to go for all their questions.

While Kyo Logic's main focus is FileMaker, we also offer support to SQL, Websites, PHP and Ruby. We can also handle a full integration with Microsoft systems, which are the most popular business suite on the market.

For many businesses, software can be a pricey purchase. However, a keen eye will be able to pick up deals that can help them get their hands on the latest software at a fraction of the price.

According to a recent press release from the company, FileMaker has announced that starting today users will be able to buy one copy of FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced ($549) and get a second downloadable copy for free. This second version can be accessed by the user or given away to a friend, colleague, client or charity. The offer will expire on June 10, 2014.

This can be a great way for organizations and consultants to get their hands on this powerful tool. FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced includes everything in the suite of advanced development and customization tools. It allows organizations to easily create and use these personalized business solutions that run on iPads, iPhones, Windows, Macs and the web.

"There is strong demand worldwide for skilled FileMaker developers within all types of organizations and also within firms specializing in FileMaker consulting," Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, said in the press release. "This limited offer will encourage new FileMaker developers to create innovative solutions on hot platforms like iOS and the web."

The offer is limited to one per person, per household or company. It is valid for downloadable versions of the software and the free version is a fully operational one with no restrictions.

With the help of a FileMaker support service, any organization will be able to gain a hand implementing and mastering this hardware in a meaningful way.

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: In today’s business landscape, having a website is crucial for business success.The increasing use of mobile devices and the always connected consumer base has made it a necessity for organizations to have some form of an online presence, and the more engaging it is, the better.

Despite being a database solution, FileMaker is designed in such a way that it is perfect for integrating or even hosting with a website. By partnering with Kyo Logic, we can help take FileMaker and add it to your business’s website.

There are two ways that this can happen. The first is by building a traditional website with FileMaker as the web server. This is the more popular option, and one that was are highly skilled at. FileMaker has evolved to become an excellent front end for websites.

The database is capable of PHP libraries to support any website. It can handle services like SOAP, WISDL and more. Sometimes, there may be an additional plug-in required for success.

The second is through the use of the new WebDirect feature that is a part of FileMaker 13. We profiled the new direct feature back at the beginning of March and covered what the critics thought of the solution. It helps add FileMaker features to a web browser and is recommended for a site that would have up to 50 concurrent users.

Many new software solutions seem like they would require individuals to receive a certification just to be able to speak intelligently about them. This is not surprising, as software systems have been evolving and require individuals to have a deeper knowledge in order for them to be successful.

This week, FileMaker announced that it has made a certification program for the FileMaker 13 Platform available immediately. This is an official credential offered through the company and is a key qualification for developing professional FileMaker solutions for iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the web.

"Certification is now more important than ever," said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and services for FileMaker, Inc. "The FileMaker Platform is expanding, and platform-based business continues to grow. Hiring organizations see certification as a clear differentiator and we have seen strong demand for the services of FileMaker certified developers both as in-house developers and as consultants."

To become certified, FileMaker developers must pass an exam that is available through the website. It tests those taking it on knowledge and skills for developing and deploying customer solutions using FileMaker 13. It can also be taken by those looking to further their careers in the industry.

There are no prerequisites for taking the exam and individuals are able to self train themselves through programs offered by FileMaker.

Companies that are FileMaker certified are able to confirm their value to customers who are looking for a helping hand when it comes to FileMaker support. This adds a level of confidence that every organization is looking for in a third party solution provider.

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: April is the month of taxes and businesses across the world will be using QuickBooks accounting software when they file their yearly report. It has been on the market since 1983.

The Inuit software has several features that helps organizations run their business. This includes remote access capabilities, remote payroll assistance and outsourcing, electronic payment functions, online banking and reconciliation. It can also be incorporated with Excel spreadsheets and additional employee tracking options. There is also an online portion and a specific point of sale solution that can be used to replace a cash register, track inventory, sales and customer information.

Because the software has become so popular, many other software solutions that are used to help manage a business need to be incorporated with it. One of these is FileMaker, and with the help of Kyo Logic, these two solutions can be paired together to improve overall operations.

There are two different ways that this can be accomplished, depending on how advanced of a solution you want to use. The first is a plug-in that provides true integration between FileMaker and QuickBooks, though this is a more advanced approach.

IIF files provide a more convenient and accurate way to get info from one system to another in a quick batch process. While, IIF files many now be fully integrated, but are simpler.

The business technology landscape is constantly evolving. For organizations, it is becoming increasingly important to keep an ear to the ground and make sure they are keeping up with the times. Organizations that fail to do that could find themselves outdated and suddenly scrambling to catch-up.

One area of business that has been evolving quickly over the last few years is the database. With more solutions becoming digital, the amount of information that is suddenly available is growing. However, managing all of this data has become increasingly difficult.

A recent article from Database Trends and Applications spoke with Anne Buff, a Thought Leader for SAS Best Practices at SAS Institute. The interview was held in preparation of the upcoming Data Summit that will be held in New York from May 12 through 14. Buff will be one of the keynote speakers delivering a speech called "Oh, Shift! How Big Data Is Calling for an Enterprise Data Rethink."

Her biggest point is that data strategies are evolving and many organizations need to take some time to re-evaluate what they do.

"Big data is still in its early stages. A lot of that is because people don't quite know what they are going to do with it yet," said Buff. "They know what it is, they know where they can get it but they have not quite figured out what they are going to do with it. Right now one of the biggest things is just trying to define what big data means to an organization."

With the help of a managed IT services software provider, any company can start revamping its strategies and improve how it uses data.

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 it comes to the latest technology solutions, everyone is going to learn at their own pace. For those who consider themselves tech savvy, it can be easy to purchase a popular system like FileMaker, read the basics, play with it and get a good handle on what it is capable of.

Through hands-on trial and error it is possible to take a new piece of software and develop some simple solutions that can be used to help improve overall business operations. While this is a great way to start, many organizations are not tapping into the full potential of their software.

While it is possible to find YouTube walkthroughs or take a class on a particular piece of software, it can be difficult to turn these broad overviews of the software into something that will help your specific business as well as fill in the knowledge gaps that you have without wasting time on processes that you already know how to do.

At Kyo Logic, we offer one-to-one coaching and learning that is supported by development. Instead of trying to learn in a group setting using random data, we use your own work, which is the most targeted way to learn FileMaker. This process is far more effective than generalized class and is economical for those that are on a budget.

If I were to tell you that recent movies like "Skyfall," "Gravity" and "The Dark Knight" were successful because of the special effects that were used on them, you would not be surprised. However, if I told you that FileMaker played a major role in this, that might.

According to a recent article from CBR, London-based Framestore was the company behind the visual effects of these movies and many more. They employ over 600 artists, computer scientists and developers. However, keeping everyone on the same page when you are dealing with single frames of a multi-million dollar movie can be extremely difficult.

This is where FileMaker came into play. According to Alex Jackson, a software developer at the company, on every movie shoot there are piles of data produced including camera shots, lens height and color space. With FileMaker, the company is able to use the rapid development platform to allow staff to initiate and make changes to projects quicker, saving the company thousands of dollars in the process.

"The fact that many film and TV production companies use FileMaker means data shared with and from clients is often in this format, making projects seamless," Jackson said. "The flexibility provided by FileMaker is also vital for us to effectively manage constantly evolving projects and allows hundreds of people from inside and outside our business access to the data."

This means the visual effects artist can access things that are shot that day on a smart device or desktop, make suggestions if a reshooting is needed to improve an effect and those can be put to film almost immediately.

This is just one real world example of how a FileMaker developer can help a company save money and improve operations.

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: One of the most important things for every software solution is keeping it upgraded. While it may seem easy to stay with a solution that has been effective in the past, newer versions of software are often evolved, bring new features and are more secure.

The downfall of not upgrading has been a major topic in the tech world and has been front and center in 2014 because of the Microsoft operating system Windows XP. For 13 years it has been an effective piece of software running computer systems, point of sale terminals and even ATMs. However, this year the company announced that it will no longer be issuing security and support upgrades for XP.

This is because Microsoft has already released several new versions of its core operating system and continuing to support an outdated version, even is some users prefer it, is no longer cost effective. The April deadline has come and gone, leaving some users struggling to catch up.

FileMaker is no different. New versions of the software are being designed to take advantage of the latest technologies like mobile devices, the cloud and web-access. Many of these features have been updated in last years FileMaker 13 upgrade.

If your company is looking to upgrade, Kyo Logic can help. We are experienced in this process, completing more than 100 upgrades for our customers. Not only can we help with the easy move from FileMaker 11 to 13 but also the more complicated two stage process of moving from FileMaker 6 to 13. We also can provide a short white paper outlining the steps that will need to be taken.