Category: Filemaker Development

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.

Becoming certified in a particular software system adds validity to any professional's resume and the company they work for. At Kyo Logic, we are proud to announce that Tim Neudecker is now a Certified FileMaker 13 developer. This makes us a Certified FileMaker 13 company.

Neudecker is the Owner and CTO of Kyo Logic and has been with the company for 11 years and had over 20 years of experience as a professional FileMaker developer. He spent over 10 years as an in-house developer for companies like Macy's/Bloomingdale's and AGA. Aside from helping form Kyo Logic in 2003, he has also presented numerous times at the FileMaker Developer Conference on topics including security, system performance and developer tools.

This new certification is important to Tim and Kyo Logic as a whole because it shows our clients, both current and potential, that the company adheres to the highest standards and is a leader in the developer community. It shows we are committed to excellence.

"Um I am glad the test it over," Tim joked after completing the test. "I think this latest test is really important as the current version of FileMaker Pro really stretches the platform's capabilities and I think it is more important now that even before that our clients know that Kyo Logic is a leader in understanding the intricacies of using the platform to its fullest."

He added that he has taken and passed every FileMaker Certification exam including the "FileMaker Proficiency Exam" back from the Pre-Seven days.

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 parts of any business software solution is the licensing. This is a legal instrument and contract law that governs the use or redistribution of a particular piece of software. As part of United States copyright law, software is copyright protected and a license is needed to install and run it on a computer.

Typically, a piece of software comes with a single license that grants the end-user permission to access one or multiple copies. This prevents a single piece of software being purchased or downloaded illegally and installed on multiple systems. It prevents users from committing copyright infringement.

Licenses are also used as a way to create provisions that allocate liability and responsibility between the developer and the end-user. This means if there is an issue with the software and it has a warranty, the integrity of that is upheld when the end-user looks to get the problem fixed.

Every piece of software has a license and FileMaker is no different. By partnering with Kyo Logic, we can ensure that the copies you are using have the right license. There are two ways this can be done.

The first is an outright purchase. This keeps software updated but does have recommended annual maintenance after the first year. The second is annual leasing, which comes with an annual fee but requires maintenance. This does have possible discounting. There can also be not-for-profit pricing available for both models.

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.

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.