Category: Filemaker Development

One of the reasons that FileMaker has managed to be successful for over two decades is the company's firm commitment to innovation. Few companies have been able to navigate the ever-changing tech waters like FileMaker, which has seamlessly integrated new capabilities over the years to keep its classic offerings imminently modern. 

The newest iteration, FileMaker 13, has instituted many changes to benefit customers looking to organize and analyze data more effectively. Many of the most impressive of these come bundled with "Go,", the mobile application for the custom database software, now available on iPad and iPhone via the App Store. What makes the program especially convenient is that its a universal app, meaning that you only need one download to use it on all of your iOS devices, whether they're running iOS 6 or iOS 7.

While Go has been available in the past, the newest version has a slew of new features and improvements, making it easier than ever to create custom business solutions. 

Better keyboard types

Data entry can be a painstaking and meticulous process. With this app, it's quicker and easier than ever, thanks to new input options. You can choose between a variety of keyboards, including ASCII, URL, email, numeric 10-key, number keypad, phone number and number and punctuation. All of these choices are specified in FileMaker Pro 13 for use in the mobile application. 

Bar code scanning

These days, more information is stored on bar codes than ever before. They're not just for supermarkets and other retailers anymore: now, students, job-seekers and researchers are all keeping data in the form of upright black bars. With the latest version of FileMaker Go, you can scan them instantly, and any associated data will be immediately populated into the correct fields. This is possible for a number of different types of codes, including UPC and QR. 

Starter Solutions

Getting started with FileMaker Go has never been more simple. Design clues are available in a freshly designed portal, making it easier to organize contacts, assets, content management and invoices. 

Seamless controls

You don't have to think of content in terms of static boxes anymore. Instead of a program like Excel, which constrains you to particular fields and isn't particularly dynamic, FileMaker now allows you to create multiple sliding panels so that your content can exist in changeable regions. This is especially valuable considering the sometimes limited space on mobile devices, which are built specifically for moveable pieces. 

To this end, you can use the swipe gestures you've become accustomed to on these devices. One finger changes panels to a slide control, and two can be used to change records. 

Better security

The integrity of your information is critical. It's why better encryption was added to FileMaker Go 13. Now, data is encrypted while on your device or hosted on FileMaker Server 13, as well as when it's moving over a network on the web. An AES 256-bit encryption means that you never have to worry about losing valuable information, even if your device is lost or stolen. 

Looking to get the most out of this new, exciting software? Working with a Connecticut FileMaker developer can help you design the sort of custom solutions that make your company more efficient and increase profits. 

Paper, paper and more paper.

That was the admissions day process for international students and visiting scholars at Boston University's Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP), one of the leading intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) schools. In order to process all of those immigration documents, staff had to use huge copy machines borrowed from faculty. Not only were those machines then not available to the professors, the entire system was laborious and painstaking.

The admissions officers needed FileMaker help.

They used the software to create a custom database which allowed them to streamline their operations. Instead of relying on hard copies of all of the records, they automated the document management and saved a ton of time in the process. Scanning time for documents was halved, and once entered, they are now easily available for search. Audits that once took 20 minutes of digging through old records can now be finished in a matter of seconds. 

Using FileMaker made the entire change easy. In just three business days, the university's IT team created and tested a new digital file management platform, just in time for an influx of new students. Hakan Rudy Seber, systems support specialist for Boston University Global Programs, raved about the program's efficacy.

"The speed with which we built this entire document management solution is a testament to the FileMaker Platform's ease of use and the helpfulness of the FileMaker community," he said.

Even if you're not dealing with thousands of international students every year, you might be able to benefit from cutting down on paper clutter. Can Filemaker help? For Boston University and a lot of other users, they answer was a resounding yes.  

Are you a Connecticut FileMaker developer with a shiny new copy of the software and no ideas of what to with it? Here are nine awesome suggestions that can help you get the most of the program:

1. Keep track of plant growth and health for your patio herb garden. Bon appetit!

2. Manage requests for all of the guests of your bread and breakfast.

3. Track and monitor student success between different classes. You can figure out which students need help and in what subject, all in real time.

4. Keep your artistic portfolio on hand at all times. Search it easily, and show the exact digital painting you want to find with just a few clicks.

5. Record and analyze lab results. Dealing with a ton of samples? No problem! FileMaker offers ways to easily organize huge amounts of data. 

6. Oversee your university's library. With the inventory at your fingertips, finding even a rarely used book is easy. 

7. Ensure your pets are happy and healthy. With FileMaker, it's a cinch to keep detailed information on illnesses, eating patterns and treatment history, especially since your dog is unlikely to be able to do it all himself. 

8. Conduct an employee survey. Once you've compiled all the data, you can sort by department, level, hiring data or any other criteria that might pique your interest. 

9. Get a better night's sleep. Recording and investigating your snoozing patterns might yield info that will keep you more energetic and happier throughout the day.

These were just suggestions: clearly, the possibilities are wide and varied. In the end, how you use choose to use your copy of Filemaker is up to your heart's desires. 

Just one FileMaker developer. That's all it took for a Kansas school district to revolutionize the way it administered and reviewed student assessments. 

That district, the Dodge City Public Schools, had struggled with student evaluation. When it began handing out iPads to teachers and students last year, Ray Wipf, executive director of information management, surmised that the devices could be used for more than mobile apps and note taking. Soon, he came up with a solution using Filemaker.

Initially only used on desktops and laptops, the program is now on all 1,200 of the districts iPads — a number that's expected to increase more than fivefold. Students can use the tablets to answer multiple choice and short answer questions, and teachers can track scores and progress, all in real time. Teachers can then quickly identify trends and areas of need, by using custom database filters to sort by subject and areas of weakness. They can view this information in chart, graph or list form, and readily identify students who need extra help. 

Wipf has long recognized the value of being a FileMaker developer.

"I know how to program and I've used FileMaker a number of times in the past. When the district approved the budget to purchase a license for the product, FileMaker was installed on all desktops and laptops," he told education publication The Journal. "We decided the value of doing that would be justified."

Now, with this iPad expansion, the schools in the district are realizing even more benefits from the versatile program. Now that teachers can analyze student results more quickly and thoroughly than before, they can make sure that every student is put in the best possible position to succeed. 

Databases and spreadsheets are used in companies all across the world. While each of these systems seems like a simple solution, there are a number of ways that individual businesses can implement them and find service providers to partner with. One of the top solutions is FileMaker.

A recent eHow article explained why a number of companies are turning toward FileMaker as their relational database engine software. It features an easy to use interface to retrieve, store and organize data without losing its capacity to handle large amounts of information. The usability is not determined by the user's level of computer literacy but with how easy it can be picked up and mastered.

"Small businesses and other groups, organizations and individuals also have uses and needs for databases," the article reads. "FileMaker Pro's user interface makes it so that these smaller users, with little to no financial resources, can start a database of their own without having to invest too much money or effort."

This means businesses do not need to outsource the construction of a database to an expensive third party but can instead create something more easily that is internal.

FileMaker also has a mobile application version known as FileMaker Go, which allows businesses to use the system and pair it with mobility, another major trend in the corporate landscape.

With the help of an IT consulting firm that specializes in FileMaker development, businesses of any size can implement the database solution and make sure the entire team is on the same page.

In case you haven’t noticed, we are big fans of FileMaker around here. Not only are the developers on our team certified in numerous versions of the platform, we are always up-to-date on new product releases and strive to become one of the first organizations to receive certification after they launch.

FileMaker Pro 12 was released in April of 2012. Today, Kyo Logic has four FileMaker development professionals certified to work with that platform. Our professionals have a full understanding of its features and our skill and expertise allow us to get the most out of its functionality. Because we were one of the first companies to receive certification in FileMaker Pro 12, our experience sets us apart from the competition.

While we encourage our clients to embrace innovation and stay current with FileMaker platforms, we understand that’s not a practical option for everyone. That’s why we employ a staff who is certified in a number of FileMaker’s older releases. We have five developers certified with FileMaker 11, four with FileMaker 10, three with FileMaker 9, two with FileMaker 8 and one with FileMaker 7, so even if you’re hanging on to an aging system, you can rest assured that we have someone with the ability to work with your platform.

Going forward, we will be on the lookout for future FileMaker releases. When FileMaker 13 becomes available, you can be sure that we’ll be one of the first companies to study its capabilities and become certified developers. FileMaker is always on the cutting edge of developer platform technology, and we are always taking necessary steps to keep up. Regardless of the version we develop in, you can be certain that each solution we create will be done so with the speed, efficiency and precision our clients have come to expect of us.

On Thursday, May 16, our own Tim Neudecker is set to give two presentations in the Boston area on the subject of FileMaker development and the maintenance of FileMaker-based solutions. Leading off is a discussion with the Boston-Area FileMaker Development Association (BAFDA). Following that will be a speaking engagement with a joint session of the MIT/Harvard FileMaker Developer groups. 

These presentations are a part of Kyo Logic's effort to share ideas and increase each attendee's knowledge about FileMaker and software development as a whole. There are many smart and enthusiastic individuals in Boston and the surrounding area, and a number of them are interested in FileMaker and its features. Tim's speaking event is an opportunity to promote this kind of enthusiasm and present eager learners with an opportunity to walk away with greater knowledge about their applications.

We are always thrilled to partake in situations such as this. As an organization, we are proud to share our experience, enthusiasm and expertise about all topics pertaining to FileMaker development. It's this kind of passion that allowed us to win the 2003 FileMaker Inc excellence award for our support for the developer community. We have continued this level of commitment for the past 10 years and have taken it upon ourselves to encourage other individuals to get on board with FileMaker development and learn the skills needed to ensure they have created and are using a terrific application. 

The topic of this discussion will be virtual lists, where we will explore what they are and why they should be used. We hope each individual in attendance walks away with a better understanding of virtual lists and can go ahead and use that knowledge to improve the way they report and export information in FileMaker Pro. 

In addition to sharing our own knowledge, one of the best perks from these kinds of events is the information we take back from these speaking engagements. In a recent statement, Tim Neudecker expressed his own eagerness to learn just as much from the audience as they will learn from him. 

"I am looking forward to my visit with the Boston area FileMaker developers, I always learn new things from them when I present there," he said. 

BAFDA is a collection of FileMaker professionals around the New England area who come together to share ideas and discuss topics that interest them – some pertaining to FileMaker development and some not. They are a group of individuals who have shown tremendous passion when it comes to using FileMaker for custom application development. Building beautiful database software systems is something that each and every attendee is excited to talk about, so we are thrilled to join in on the conversation.

On the other side of the Charles River, the MIT and Harvard FileMaker developer groups represent incredibly smart and talented individuals who understand the value in FileMaker development and have grown to become passionate about the software and just what it can do to help create new applications. We expect a large number of young and energetic individuals at this event, a group of people that our CTO is excited to talk with.

About Kyo Logic

Based out of Westport, Connecticut, Kyo Logic has been providing the Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts areas with FileMaker development and support since 2002. Kyo's commitment to finding the best possible solution for every FileMaker user, in addition to taking an active leadership role in the developer community, is what sets it apart from the competition. 

For more information, contact Tim Neudecker at 845-279-8108 or tim@kyologic.com

Companies around the world are discovering the rewards of using database software. With strong organizational and statistical records, businesses are able to increase efficiency and productivity, and consequently, products. While this isn't exactly news, a recent trend in the data tracking world is an increase in startups entering the industry.

An article in the Wall Street Journal detailed a number of new businesses offering this type of product as a "flood of capital is pouring into the database market." One car part supplier, for example, is using a new type of software to record types of cars driven in different regions and another is using a different new technology to determine where viewers place their cursors on photos, and for how long.

"A new wave of databases is attracting customers looking to boost their business with powerful and cost-effective tools to tap into the growing mass of unstructured data collected from company websites, supply chains and social channels," the Journal said.

While it's clear that these companies are realizing the value of database software, and the rewards that can be gained with keeping and analyzing data, companies should also keep something else in mind: the quality of these new innovations.

Since recording information is so vital to a company's bottom line, choosing a database software is as well. While some major companies are taking a risk and going the startup route, choosing a reputable and well-respected product, like Filemaker, is the preferred option. In addition, with brands that have a long history in the industry, the kinks and issues have long been worked out, giving companies using the software peace of mind and the ability to use the information to better their service more quickly than with other brands.

For many businesses, organizations and institutions, custom application development can go a long way towards increasing productivity, improving management systems and streamlining database processes. Many have relied on FileMaker, a sturdy and reliable provider of database software and solutions.

Though FileMaker is often a favorite choice among consumers for its functionality and interface, it’s not much use to inexperienced users without the proper development and customization. For that reason, most require the help of a FileMaker developer to implement the software into their current systems.

For years, KyoLogic has been a leading provider of FileMaker development and consultation. The company’s decades of experience in creating database software, coupled with their certifications and partnerships with FileMaker, make it an obvious choice for businesses in need of a capable FileMaker developer.

FileMaker developers must understand nuances of clients, software

When companies work with a FileMaker developer, they have to communicate their requirements and hardware capabilities effectively to ensure that the database software they are buying is suitable for their needs. However, a lot can be lost in translation when working with a less experienced or adept FileMaker developer.

Colleges and universities, for instance, may want separate database software that can handle complex course registration duties, staff administration and student population data. Each database may call for starkly different demands and requirements, but without the background in applications development, clients may find it a challenge to communicate these points.

In addition, those same colleges and universities may not understand what it takes to upgrade their database from an older system to FileMaker software. In instances like this, it can be valuable to have a FileMaker consultant on hand to explain the process and work with clients on a one-to-one level during the developmental stage.

Experienced consultation and development a step towards database solutions

FileMaker software has been able to help a number of organizations manage their database applications more efficiently. In fact, on its website, the software company describes the case of one major university that decreased its online class enrollment process from 75 minutes to 30 seconds by adopting FileMaker software.

At the same time, the transition process can be simplified with the right FileMaker developer on hand to handle coordination and implementation. The best Filemaker consultants and developers help clients organize a project plan, maintain constant communication to guarantee satisfaction and rely on statistical metrics and analysis to ensure success.

Not all FileMaker developers take this approach, but it’s one embraced by the experts at Kyo Logic. This effective strategy distinguishes Kyo Logic from other software developing companies, particularly in its implementation of FileMaker software.

Superior credentials, experience separate Kyo Logic from competition

Kyo Logic’s solution-focused approach to custom application development helps clients meet challenges with data security and accuracy, network health and software relevancy. To help clients achieve their goals and solve these problems, Kyo Logic relies on its fount of industry experience and knowledge.

Kyo Logic has been a leading presence in the FileMaker community, particularly in New York in Connecticut. Kyo Logic principals have helped spread awareness and education regarding this software in these areas, but the company’s intimate understanding of this software is what helped it achieve membership in the exclusive FileMaker Business Alliance.

Kyo Logic experts have also achieved certification in a number of FileMaker applications, which assures clients that the developers and consultants they are working with understand the intricacies of this software. With a Kyo Logic FileMaker developer at their side, companies can enjoy a fruitful custom application development experience and obtain the database they need to increase workplace productivity and functionality.