Category: Filemaker Development

Earlier this month, this blog covered the growing use of data analytics in the world of sports. MIT's Sloan Conference shows the impact that data and analytics have in the current athletic landscape. While this area has always been numbers driven, the analytics side is still fairly new and organizations are just starting to figure out how to optimize these systems.

A recent article from Fanside featured an interview with Oakland Athletics first base coach Tye Waller. The team has been on the cutting edge of this trend and the movie "Moneyball" showed a bit of what the organization was thinking at the beginning of the 2000s.

Now, the team is going even further and Waller spoke about how he used data and analytics through the use of a database he created with FileMaker that is able to be used on an iPad.

According to Waller, his database is used as part of the team's scouting. Back in the day, this was handled through conversations of guys you had seen play and those you hadn't. It was common for reports to be written on the same player multiple times over the course of a season. If that person had a long career, you could write near 100 reports, that contained similar data.

When he went into the front office of the San Diego Padres, he noticed the computer systems that were being used to compare players' strengths and weaknesses. When he went back to the field as a coach, he took the system with him through a FileMaker Go database. Over nearly a decade, he has compiled a list of roughly 5,000 players that includes their histories, statistics and notes about strengths and weakness.

"Now all I gotta do is make an adjustment on the players we play against," Waller said. "You can move the players around within the program so that the information follows them for whatever team they play on. I know that at least I've got a foundation about that player. All I have to do is look at a little video and see what I can notice about what has changed about him from a hitting standpoint, defensive standpoint or statistical standpoint and we're up-to-date."

The Athletics are currently one of the best teams in the league, so clearly something is working. This is just one way that a FileMaker database can be used to improve data gathering and analytics. With the help of the right FileMaker developer, any company can find the best way to improve overall operations.

One of the hallmarks of modern business is mobility. To compete in this landscape, companies have to be agile, which often means go-friendly devices like tablets. 

For good reason, Apple's iPad remains the gold standard in the tablet world. Not only does it combine an ease of functionality with an ability to sync seamlessly with other devices, it also is one of the first platforms to receive many important updates. Developers often target iOS as an operating system to build on, secure in the knowledge that it will lead to widespread deployment and (usually) earlier release dates. 

Especially helpful for enterprise use are database solutions. FileMaker developers can help transform the analytics for a small company: by making such a powerful program fit in with a moderate budget, these professionals can give every company the opportunity to use data in an efficient manner. 

An article in Computer Weekly detailed the value of this process. 

"Apple-owned FileMaker provides a platform for developing applications, and an ecosystem of hosting service providers has sprung up to project FileMaker applications from the cloud. In addition, vertical industries are adapting iPads to their own use. Each enterprise vertical tailors the iPad to its own needs. For example, in healthcare, providers have developed services for discharging patients and moving them to outpatient care on the iPad platform. As enterprises devote developer talent to proprietary iOS applications, vertical adaption will become even more widespread," explains the source. 

For any company looking to improve operations and the bottom line, tablets and FileMaker could be a worthwhile start. 

When most people think about using the latest technology to improve overall operations, they picture a company that is based in technology. While that may include older computer systems, there is some hint of tech already being deployed. What doesn't come to mind is a farm, restaurant and cheesemaker that uses a tablet and the latest databasing systems to improve overall operations.

FileMaker is such a flexible solution that is can be used by a number of different organizations to take operations to a new level. One of the company's recent profiles focused on Sea Breeze Farm, a grass-based animal farm known for world-class wine, a restaurant, charcuterie, butcher and cheese shops. It is located outside of Seattle and used the motto "Green is Good."

This is the type of business that would seem to shy away from technology, but instead has embraced the latest technology and is thriving because of this decision.

According to owner George Page, the farm used FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go to create an integrated business system that links the numerous operations that the farm conducts into a single platform. It has elevated the farm's overall efficiency and profits.

In the dairy operations, Page and his team are able to manage cow productivity and update information in real-time on the server for all to see. For the cheese, employees keep records of which kind of milk is being used during the process and track of aging times. This is also used in the wine cellar to monitor every batch. In the butcher shop, orders and delivery of every cut of meat is tracked. Aside from having all of this information at their fingertips at any time through an iPad, iPhone or iPod, caring for these devices is also much simpler in the cramped quarters of some of the farm's rooms.

"We have to track production for internal and regulatory purposes, constantly logging temperatures, refrigeration times, ingredients, recipes and weights," says Page. "We need to do it in a tiny space and on a system that we can keep clean instead of running the risk of getting food stuck in a keyboard."

The restaurant, which is much roomier, is also included in the FileMaker solution as a custom point-of-sale solution.

With all of these systems tracked through a single platform in real-time, the farm is able to make sure that everyone is on the same page and master inventory numbers are accurate.

With the help of a FileMaker developer, any company will be able to create a custom solution that improves the bottom line.

One of the hottest trends in the educational landscape is mobile devices. From school boards deploying tablets in every classroom to improving wireless networking so students can use their personal devices to using specialty applications to help special needs students, tablets and smartphones are finding a home in the education system. However, the learning institutes need to make sure that they are doing everything possible to optimize the mobile platform.

Recently, FileMaker profiled Cheltenham College Junior School, which has been educating young people between the ages of three and 18 since 1841. It is considered one of the foremost co-educational public boarding schools in the country with a sterling reputation for academic achievement, breadth of extracurricular opportunities and a strong community.

The organization has been a FileMaker customer for the past 15 years and has been active in how it uses the system. Over the time period, the solution, which started as a simple contact management system, has evolved to include everything from pupil assessments to e-registration. The College has taken full advantage of everything that FileMaker has to offer and continues to look for new ways to optimize how it runs with new systems.

The most recent evolution of the system that the school administration has spearheaded include a deploying a mobile system through FileMaker Go to better meet the demands of current trends.

Nicky Fortune, the Curriculum Director at Cheltenham Junior College, told the news source that by partnering with its FileMaker development firm, the school was able to create fill mobile access with the FileMaker databases that are already set up within the school network. This includes a significant amount of information that is now able to be accessed while on the go.

With the new system, professors are able to access the grade book, for example, and update grades and assessments during the actual lesson in real-time instead of making notes that need to be transferred at a later date. The success here has the administration considering expanding the programs to including management of extracurricular activities and sports teams.

The school also has a backend overhaul that included a major contact database for parents of students. With a simple search of the database, the school is able to find all the important and contact information for a student and make the call to a parent or guardian with the click of a button.

Fortune laid out an example where a an emergency arises and a student needs to be found and the parent contacted. By using the new FileMaker database, a quick search brings up all contact information, as well as the students schedule. Now, the administrator knows right where the student should be and can press the phone number to start a call.

He went to on talk about the security features, multiple standalone uses and plans for continued expansion of FileMaker in the coming years into curriculum systems and more.

"We're extremely proud of the system that we've created here at Cheltenham College, and even fifteen years on there's a real feeling that there's so much left for us to get from FileMaker," Fortune said. "With the addition of FileMaker Go, it's a very exciting time to be using the software."

With the help of a custom FileMaker development firm, any company can improve how it operates through the use of FileMaker and its many features.

Over the last few months, this blog has been covering the announcements surrounding the 2014 FileMaker Developers conference. This is the annual gathering of FileMaker developers for a national convention hosted by FileMaker.

This year it will be held in San Antonio, Texas from July 28-31, where over 1,200 FileMaker developers will gather to show off the latest software solutions and what could be possible in the years to come.

The theme of 2014 is “Business Without Boundaries” and will focus on the ability to work from anywhere. This trend affects every organization from warehouses, to emergency rooms, retail stores and classrooms. Those who attend will receive in-depth insight into FileMaker’s newest technology including the new WebDirect feature. They will also be able to gain knowledge from a wide range of sessions including design, mobility, development, business and innovation.

The conference also features a large Exhibitor showcase that features the latest in FIleMaker services and third party products. It is also a great way to network with the FileMaker engineers, product managers and technical support teams members.  This allows organizations to gain a better understanding of any aspect of FileMaker that they could be looking for.

Kyo Logic will be in attendance

At this year’s DevCon, Kyo Logic will be in attendance, meeting with vendors and attending sessions. Tim Neudecker, who was recently certified in FileMaker 13, will be our eyes and ears on the ground where he will touch base with vendors of third party products and development tools that tools that we recommend to our clients. The sessions he attends will focus on advanced development techniques and the future of FileMaker.

It is important for Kyo Logic to have a presence at this event to remain on the leading edge of software development. This also helps ensure that we are using the current best practices to provide clients with the best possible service.

This is not the first time that we have been traveled to the convention and know how valuable the information gathered here can be. Neudecker has been a regular attendant since 1997 and Kyo Logic has sent representatives to every DevCon since 2003.

Check back with us later this month for full coverage of the FIleMaker Developers Conference. We will be covering all the major trends that are found and examine what the future might hold.

There are multiple software solutions in the business landscape that companies are adopting as a way to improve overall operations. One of the more popular is customer relationship management (CRM). This system allows companies to keep track of current and future customers by organizing, automating and synchronizing sales, marketing, customer service and technical support.

There are many ways that a CRM can be customized to meet the specific needs of a company. There are also countless features and tools that can be used to craft a customized solution.

A recent article from Productive Computing makes the case that the most effective form of CRM software is FileMaker Pro. It is a database program that integrates its powerful engine with a easy-to-use graphic user interface. There are several specific reasons why FileMaker Pro is such an important part of a CRM solution.

First off is the fact that FileMaker 13 is user friendly. If your company is switching to a system like this for the first time, it can be overwhelming. That is only compounded if the new solution is complicated to learn.

"FileMaker Pro is a completely user-friendly application that is easy to use regardless of your computer prowess," the article reads. "You don't have to develop databases for a living to use FileMaker, and teaching your team won't require many precious hours of training. All it takes is a few minutes to become a pro thanks to the clean, easy-to-understand user interface."

The database is easy to start using for any modern business, regardless of size if it is looking to store, organize, change or recall information. From a CRM standpoint, the relational database helps business owners record customer information like products purchased, time of purchase and personal customer information to help customize a marketing strategy. 

Powerful data analytics tool

In the hands of the right FileMaker developer, the system can be a dream because of the robust capacities. Organizations can create a database by importing a Bento library or through an Excel spreadsheet. Even companies that try to run the system themselves have the option to use several layouts and themes from 30 starter databases that can handle a wide array of applications.

Through FileMaker Pro, companies can create dynamic summary reports that create records and offer subtotals based on the sort order. The system can also be connected to the company's website, allowing for better email blasts and sharing of information. Through the cloud hosting services, organizations are able to manage customer information and better communicate it with the rest of the team.

"Getting into the nitty-gritty of FileMaker Pro helps you realize just how much control you have over the program, primarily in the scripts you can write to perform all sorts of actions with data," the article reads. "Scripts can be simple—send a report to a printer—or highly complex."

FileMaker Pro provides small businesses with a powerful tool for a fraction of the cost. With the help of a FileMaker development firm any company will be able to improve how they harness their data and take operations to the next level.

For every new technology, one of the biggest challenges is security. Because an increasing number of business critical systems are transitioning to a digital platform, the need to keep this information safe is a growing priority.

A recent post from FileMaker's internal blog focuses on the security features that the platform has. While most operating systems provide their own security features, the FileMaker Pro access privileges are a fundamental way to control who has access to the database, which is security 101.

"It's especially important to protect FileMaker Pro files that are shared with other FileMaker Pro users via the FileMaker Network, with web users via Instant Web Publishing, and with ODBC/JDBC clients," the article reads. "These shared files are more vulnerable because they may be more widely available over your network."

There are other ways that FileMaker's built in security can be beneficial. This includes:

• App development – With fine grain access control for data, script execution and meta-data, organizations will be able to protect the integrity of an application while allowing end-users to perform expected changes like adding a use or making small improvements.
• System administration – With a database on a FileMaker Server, businesses can leverage infrastructure for authenticating users and protecting network resources. Companies can also set up accounts for specific users based on a centralized server.
• Ease of use – Transparency is crucial and FileMaker has this as a priority.

With the help of a FileMaker support service, any company can improve how they manage their database and improve security across the board.

The latest upgrade to FileMaker has helped cement the solution as a powerful database tool for the enterprise marketplace. Over the last few months, we have touched on several of the features that make the system as a whole a popular software tool.

A recent article from ProgrammableWeb put the system through the ringer for full review. Article author Stuart Iler, along with his team, created desktop, Web and mobile layouts with FileMaker Pro without any programming. While a database novice may face a learning curve, the intuitive interface and extensive documentation will make it much easier for anyone that is handling this process.

“One of the key selling points for FileMaker 13 is that it lets users design and create a single database back end, with an easily configured and deployed solution wherever you want to consume it. In the process of conducting this review, the advantages of that approach were apparent,” the article reads. “In all, we recommend FileMaker 13 as a powerful tool for building customizable database solutions without the need for a lot of technical know-how.”

It is unsurprising that the piece gives a positive review to FileMaker 13. It is a powerful database tool that can help any organization find a more efficient way of doing business. However, it can be difficult for companies that are unfamiliar with this kind of software solution to effectively deploy it. This is where a FileMaker developer can become a valuable resource for creating and deploying a new database.

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 this digital day and age, you would be hard pressed to run a business without the aid of a website. With consumers connected to the "information superhighway" through computers and the mobile devices in their pockets, a company can become invisible without an online presence.

However the system is more complicated than just putting together a cheap site quickly so there is something in that space. A poor website can be just as, if not more damaging than having no site at all as it can make a company look unprofessional.

Once a quality website is created, the content then becomes king. There are many ways that this can be addressed and incorporating some software solutions into the website is one way to accomplish that.

It is not surprising that a company that has built a large database on the FileMaker platform would want to improve its business practices by linking it to the website. Depending on what the database was created for, having access through the company website can become a fantastic tool.

By partnering with Kyo Logic, we can help pair these two entities. For large volume sites we have built sophisticated synchronization tools that allow the site to use MySQL and other high volume databases. We can also link FileMaker via remote database protocols that syncs to a FileMaker server.

Mobile devices are having a large impact on how business operate. All across the landscape, companies are using smartphones and tablets with different software combinations to improve operations and streamline tasks.

Recently, FileMaker conducted a survey of mobile strategies used by businesses. It is compiled of respondents from 499 customers who have deployed FileMaker solutions.

The study found that 59 percent of FileMaker iPad and iPhone users connect to on-premise servers via their LANs, 35 percent through the internet and 21 percent through a VPN. On top of that, 51 percent said they are replacing paper-based processes with a custom iOS database solution.

This approach is affecting departments across the entire business. Operations is on top of the list with 31 percent of companies saying that their department is using this approach to increase productivity. Rounding out the top five departments are information systems (28 percent), sales (23 percent), customer service (21 percent) and finance/accounting (17 percent).

"The next wave of business mobility, fueled by iPads and iPhone-equipped 'productivity warriors,' is delivering real ROI by automating processes in the building and on the company campus," Ryan Rosenberg, the vice president of marketing and services for FileMaker, said in the report.

The study also found the top 10 mobile tasks that companies are using. They include:

• Contact and customer management
• Inventory
• Invoicing/quotes/orders/estimates
• Field data collection
• Project management
• General data tracking and logging
• Timesheets
• Reports and analysis
• Work tickets and scheduling
• Medical records

In a recent guest column for Macworld, Willem Meyer, the Regional Manager of APAC at FileMaker, covered the survey and spoke about how the need to create custom business solutions is becoming more important. Early adopters to tablet applications have already achieved tremendous boosts in productivity including streamlined processes, cost savings, reduction in paper and improved customer service.

"With the push to get tablet applications to market as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, many smaller businesses and entrepreneurs are opting for a DIY route, as are workgroups within larger businesses," Meyer wrote. "They're taking advantage of low-cost or no-cost software and DIY application development tools that help them build professional-quality, highly customized business solutions for tablets and have their solutions ready to go in a matter of weeks, not months."

He added that with what has been learned from the survey there are several things that companies need to keep in mind during the development process. These include:

• The goal is data – Tablet solutions are predominantly used to mobilize data. Companies need to make sure that solutions picked help push this idea further and should avoid having a dedicated database administration to manage your application once it's up and running.
• Think good design – Applications that do not work well fundamentally will be rejected by employees. right out of the gate. Organizations need to make sure that strong design is always taken into account.
• Security – Mobile security is an ongoing challenge and it must remain a top priority at every turn.
• Don't stop building – Good mobile applications are never completely finished. Upgrades and troubleshooting should always be part of the process.
• Know what other businesses have done – It is never a bad idea to know what the competition is doing as there is a lot that can be learned from this.

FileMaker and FileMaker Go have become main systems to help push mobile businesses to the next level. A custom database software developer can help any organization embrace this solution.