4/24/2024 – This month, we will be recapping and discussing our favorite Claris Engage presentations. Please come prepared to discuss the presentations you found most interesting and enlightening.
Category: Filemaker Development
CT FileMaker Developer Group – Webmin Server GUI Tool
4/19/2023 – This month, Oliver Reid will be presenting the Webmin GUI tool for Claris Server on Linux. Webmin provides all tools needed managing a Claris (or FileMaker) Linux server. Those who have becomes used to a Mac or Windows GUI will find Webmin as easy, if not easier, to use to upload, download and organize files for a Claris Server, set up OS level cron jobs, set ownership and permission for files and folders, and install ODBC drivers to support ESS, and more.
CT FileMaker Developer Group – KyoSync II & Engage Recap
3/27/2024 – This month, John Mathewson of Kyo Logic will be sharing KyoSync II, which was unveiled at Claris Engage. John will relate how his team reliably syncs two FileMaker systems, even when one server is remote and has limited access. You’ll also get an inside look at KyoSync II, the technology that made this all possible.
In addition, we will also be reviewing Claris Engage and discussing the new ideas and trends that came out of the event.
Kyo Logic and FMPConnect Present: A Step-by-Step Guide for Installing Webmin & Claris FileMaker Server
Kyo Logic has partnered with Oliver Reid and his company FMPConnect to provide an incredibly potent guidebook. You can click below right now to get an in-depth guide on exactly how to install Webmin and FileMaker Server on an Amazon Web Service (AWS) Ubuntu Virtual Instance.
Installing with Webmin is perfect for IT professionals and developers who just don’t have extensive experience with Linux. As powerful as Linux is, it can be cumbersome to navigate if you’re unfamiliar, and can take valuable time to gain competency. But when you have access to Webmin, it simplifies the entire process. Everything is managed through Webmin’s GUI instead of having to manually edit configuration files or run commands.
While getting Webmin and FileMaker Server to work well with Ubuntu has historically been difficult, this guide provides a fast, consistent way to successfully set up both applications. By utilizing this guide, you can have everything up and running in just 20 minutes (not including downloads).
Everyone at Kyo Logic and FMPConnect thought this information was too impactful to keep to ourselves. We want to make sure everyone in the community has access to this process, as we believe the iterative, collaborative nature of the Claris community is what makes it so great.
Oliver Reid’s guide goes over every step of the process, from how to configure your Linux accounts to security and using Webmin to upload or download files to and from FileMaker Server. The guide includes:
- Linux User Accounts, Permissions, and Directories Overview
- Linux Repositories and Package Managers
- Setting up an AWS Ubuntu Server
- Connecting to the AWS Ubuntu Server
- Installing Webmin
- Installing FileMaker Server
- Saving the AWS instance as an “AMI”
- Securing Webmin with an SSL certificate
- Uploading and Downloading FileMaker Server files using Webmin
Grab the guide now, and you’ll have detailed, step-by-step instructions paired with informative infographics and tables to make this previously impossible task feel effortless.
Check out FMPConnect for more great FileMaker and JSON tools. And follow Kyo Logic on LinkedIn to get access to more great guides and resources like this one.
We will be elaborating on this guide with additional details in the future. Stay tuned!
Why FileMaker is an Inexpensive Alternative to ERPs
Enterprise Resource Planning Systems allow organizations to manage (and in some cases automate) their core processes. ERPs may be leveraged in HR, finance, supply chain and manufacturing processes, or all of the above. Corporations rely on ERPs to provide benefits as varied as security and compliance management to collaboration and reporting.
Advanced manufacturers, banks, and hospitals are just a few of the industries that rely heavily on ERPs for everything from data storage to reporting to patient records.
Common ERPs include Oracle ERP Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and SAP ERP, although there are many more options available. And while these are incredibly powerful systems, they come with an equally incredible price tag. For enterprise-level businesses, it’s a bargain. But it makes the barrier for entry incredibly high for small and mid-size businesses that could otherwise benefit from some or all of these features.
FileMaker can offer an incredibly high degree of customization while also acting as a reasonable entry point into the world of ERPs. It works as a composable ERP– acting as the backbone while businesses can purchase the modules they need.Claris FileMaker provides:
High Degrees of Customization
Claris FileMaker allows for highly customized relational databases to fit the specific needs of virtually any requirement. While businesses may struggle to force their processes around out-of-the-box solutions, FileMaker can mold to these systems. It can do all this while providing many of the benefits of a traditional ERP, with comparatively minimal development and deployment costs.
Integration
Similarly, Claris FileMaker will integrate with any existing system. Just as importantly, it will integrate any new apps or software you introduce after the fact. It takes the customization aspect a step further. ERPs tend to provide a massive amount of disparate, specific functions (which is perfect for large companies that have a need for each of these functions), while Claris FileMaker
Scalability
FileMaker offers easy scalability as demands and needs increase. This is true not just from a systems perspective, but from a licensing perspective as well. Conversely, ERPs are designed for large corporations and may not scale down well for smaller operations.
Agility
FileMaker can be changed and adjust on the fly– in some cases, someone with limited experience could even make tweaks or updates. Its low-code nature makes in incredibly fast to navigate and use. While that’s great for novices, it also means that in the hands of a professional, overhauls and updates can happen several times faster than they could on other platforms. ERPs require longer set-up times.
Claris FileMaker does all this while offering lower licensing and maintenance fees. It makes the feature-rich environment of an ERP attainable for smaller businesses. It even provides ERP-like features for industries and businesses that wouldn’t be able to utilize an out-of-the-box ERP in the first place.
If you’re looking for ways to help transform your business and want to know more about what FileMaker can do, you can reach out to us here.
How FileMaker Can Reshape Compliance Management
Compliance management is a crucial component of many industries, including manufacturing, finance, healthcare, food, and government. Following procedures can mitigate risk and ensure both accuracy and efficiency. Oftentimes, these industries require a paper trail of records and complete data sets.
While maintaining these industry and legal standards is vitally important, it’s also a massive undertaking. It requires the full attention of a number of individuals inputting data and triple-checking work. Larger organizations can have dozens (or even hundreds) of employees dedicated specifically to ensuring compliance is met.
Of course, even with all that redundancy, processes can still fail and data can still slip through the cracks. On top of that, compliance management demands a massive amount of time, energy, and resources– critical business capital that could be better spent elsewhere.
Claris FileMaker can provide a comprehensive, customizable system that automates, documents, and provides reporting down to the most granular detail. It provides invaluable structure no matter how specific the needs and requirements of the industry may be. Here are several ways Claris can completely reshape the way your business approaches compliance management. Let’s break down why clients like using Claris FileMaker for Compliance:
Customization
Claris FileMaker allows for completely customized, relational databases. Everything from tables, to fields, and relationships can be tweaked to your exact needs. The relational nature of the software means that every team and individual is working off the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Integration
Claris FileMaker ’s high degree of customizability makes it easy to integrate into virtually any existing ecosystem. Whether it’s mandated applications or software your company relies on, Claris FileMaker can easily communicate with these systems and even enhance their capabilities.
Flexibility
Similarly, Claris FileMaker makes integrating new tech straightforward and painless. As regulatory demands change, Claris FileMaker can serve as the foundational infrastructure. New software and applications can be leveraged without disrupting your existing ecosystem.
Automation
Workflows can be completely automated, streamlining processes and providing helpful support to compliance-focused teams. This can involve simple reminders or automatic scheduling of calendar events. It can get as complex as complete ownership of data entry and validation, leaving employees free to focus on more complex tasks.
Centralization
Store everything from reports to audits in a single database accessible from a variety of devices. Claris FileMaker’s highly customizable security measures allows for incredibly granular clearances and permissions.
Reporting
Just as with everything else, Claris FileMaker allows for detailed and customized reports. Data and insights can be collected, compiled and displayed to fit your exact needs. This makes it incredibly easy to provide information for audits and proof of compliance.
Compliance management is a necessary component of many businesses, but by its very nature, it’s incredibly taxing. Claris FileMaker can provide the means to streamline and modernize your compliance management systems, no matter how specific or esoteric the requirements.
If you’d like to find out more about how Claris Filemaker can impact your compliance management, you can reach out to Kyo Logic here. We’d love to provide you with a free consultation and demonstrate the benefits of a customized software solution.
How FileMaker Can Give Your Fantasy Football Team an Edge
Everyone at Kyo Logic is always talking about just how powerful FileMaker is– it can be used to create all kinds of helpful professional applications. We’ve shown off plenty of ways we leverage it to help businesses solve problems and fill specific needs. That includes everything from complex, unique applications to automating and streamlining basic data entry.
But it’s also fantastic for everyday use. Patrick, a seasoned Kyo Logic developer, uses FileMaker to give him an edge when it comes to NFL and NCAA football. Why does he take his work home with him? Is it because he loves analyzing stats? Is it because he’s super competitive and wants an edge? Does he just love FileMaker that much? The answer is all of the above.
College Ball
Patrick runs a successful and informative blog, 1 Nerd Sports, that delves into the numbers behind successful college teams. He loves college football. And he’s been able to weave his knowledge of FileMaker in with that passion.
His app takes the results of every game and builds a model based on key factors. It provides an objective list of team rankings based solely on performance. It also allows Patrick to dive into specific teams, players, and years. Patrick has built it to be completely automated; his app pulls from the NCAA API (application programming interface) that updates every game.
The app focuses on factors like a team’s win and loss percentages, average margin of victory and loss, and compares it to the opponents stats. His model accurately predicts spreads about 65% of the time. Patrick isn’t one to brag, but considering how many other factors are at play in the sport… those are pretty solid numbers.
More recently, Patrick has also built an app to give him an edge in fantasy football. Similar to his college app, it plugs players stats in and makes recommendations on who to play and bench in a given week. So far, it’s been more accurate than the NFL’s own recommendations.
Fantasy FileMaker
Patrick uses FileMaker for his hobbies not just because he’s an expert. It also gives him a level of flexibility and control other languages and tools don’t offer. It’s also easy enough to navigate that any of his friends can (and do) use these apps.
But most importantly, it’s the fact that it’s a relational database. FileMaker understands how to relate different tables and values. It makes it incredibly intuitive for a stat-heavy game like football– it understands how to scrape data from weekly games and apply it to individual players or specific teams, almost instantly. It can also make changes and adjustments easily. If Patrick needs to add or swap parameters, he can do so on the fly and see the changes reflected in real time. It also provides the backend and frontend for the application, so everything is in one spot. It makes for a nimble, flexible, and response application.
If you want to learn more about how Kyo Logic can enhance your business (or just need help with your fantasy team), you can reach out to us here.1
Major Claris Studio Updates
Through a series of announcements, Claris has revealed a host of new changes for FileMaker and everyone here at Kyo Logic is incredibly excited. For reference, Claris is changing the FileMaker name and bringing everything under the Claris umbrella. While the products remain the same, they now follow this new convention:
- FileMaker Pro is now Claris Pro
- FileMaker Server is now Claris Server
- FileMaker Go is now Claris Go
- Claris Connect is now Claris Studio
Claris wants to create a more cohesive, easier to understand identity. They also promise that this new structure will allow them to offer new and exciting products and tools. It’s also the perfect time for them to change the way customers can purchase these offerings.
Claris Studio (formerly Claris Connect) is Claris’s latest cloud-based platform (also, given the rebrand, get used to seeing the word “Claris” a lot). It provides most of the features of Claris/FileMaker Pro, all accessible from the web. Just as importantly, it makes accessing your platform via a mobile device or tablet much easier than it was in the past.
While FileMaker previously had more complex licensing, Claris Studio streamlines licensing models into a much more straightforward licensing model. It also allows for the use of exciting, modern interface languages like Mongo (you may not know what it is, but trust us… your tech guys do).
Overall, this is a much more dynamic system that allows for more interactivity, more dynamic and customizable layouts (perfect for anything customer-facing), and offers new, even easier ways to connect to the other tools in your work environment. We’ve always recognized the power of FileMaker, but the new Claris Studio takes things to a whole other level.
If you have questions about what Claris Studio can do for you (or want to know more about how the changes from FileMaker to Claris will work for you), please reach out to us here. We’re happy to walk you through use cases and can even provide a free consultation!
Welcome to the Brand New KyoLogic.com!
This September, Claris had several new announcements and updates. Of course, we can expect to see developments and news ramp up as Claris continues to build towards their recently announced rebranding and overhauling suite of offerings. In addition to the typical tweaks and fixes, there are some exciting changes that pave the way for the future of Claris
The Kyo Logic team is incredibly proud to announce the launch of our new website. We’ve worked tirelessly to create a new look and feel that accurately reflects our commitment to cutting-edge technology, intuitive UX/UI, and modern design.
This new, feature-rich redesign includes our recent highlights and case studies, additional information on all of our services and offerings, and exciting developments in the world of Claris and FileMaker. It’s a faster, snappier, and more responsive site… much like Claris is offering up newer, faster versions of FileMaker.
Speaking of Claris, they’ve got some very exciting updates in store this year that will positively impact the capabilities of our current and future clients– you can learn more here. We’ll continue to work closely with Claris to maximize the potential of their platforms and services, which translates to us maximizing the potential of the incredible brands we service.
We’re launching this site alongside a more modern suite of standalone offerings that give our clients more opportunities to better use FileMaker/Claris in a way that makes sense for them. We want to ensure that we’re taking advantage of everything Claris has to offer and giving our clients ways to maximize these new features and options.
Of course, this is all made possible because of our immensely talented team. These individuals have worked tirelessly to help shape the direction of not just the website, but our company as a whole. Both are a collaborative vision that are a testament to our success. And as exciting as all these new updates and developments are, we’re even more excited to show you what we have in store for the future!
Please browse our new site, and whether you’re a current or new client, learn more about what we can do to help you and your team. As always, please reach out to us here if you have questions or would like an in-depth consultation.
CT FileMaker Developer Group – Admin API Server Monitoring
9/20/2023 – This month, Robert Naud we will take us through an Admin Api demo file published by Soliant, and discuss possible use cases and customization ideas. We will also discuss some things to know about the API itself, especially concerning the authentication, and will look at the available documentation. Meet with us and add yet another tool to your toolbox!