Tag: data file scripts

 

In this edition of Can Your FileMaker Do This?, we’re diving into how semantic search can transform the way construction companies, field service providers, and manufacturing firms create quotes and job estimates.

If your team is constantly sifting through old estimates, quote templates, job specs, or proposal language, trying to reuse what worked last time—but without an easy way to find it—you’re not alone. Most organizations rely on a mix of shared drives, tribal knowledge, and Ctrl+F.

There’s a better way. And you can build it in Claris FileMaker.

What is Semantic Search?

Semantic search lets you search by meaning, not only exact words. Instead of typing a perfect phrase or remembering which folder something lives in, your team can use natural language queries—and still get accurate results.

Think of it as the difference between:

• Keyword search: “custom ductwork”
  
  

• Semantic search: “quote section we used for that HVAC job with oversized ductwork in the warehouse”
  
  

Even if the exact phrase wasn’t used, semantic search will find the closest match based on intent and context.

Use Case: Building Better Quotes Faster

Let’s say your estimator is prepping a quote for a new commercial HVAC install. They want to reuse part of a proposal from a job two years ago with similar scope and specs.

With semantic search built into FileMaker, they could type:

“HVAC quote for a large warehouse project with custom ductwork and multiple zones”

FileMaker, enhanced with semantic search, would return:

• The specific quote paragraph about zoning and ductwork
  
  

• A line item pricing block from a previous estimate
  
  

• Related installation notes or drawings stored in container fields
  
  

• Even client-specific terms used in similar contracts
  
  

No more hunting through files. No more emailing around. Just faster, smarter access to the right content.

How It Works (Behind the Scenes)

Semantic search is powered by a vector-based similarity model. Here’s how it integrates with FileMaker:

1. Index your past quotes and templates
   
   

   • Store vectors in FileMaker (using container fields)
     
     

   • Use a semantic embedding model to convert content into vectors
     
     

2. User enters a query
   
   

   • Their question is embedded the same way and compared to stored vectors
     
     

3. FileMaker returns relevant matches
   
   

   • Sorted by similarity—ready to reuse in a new quote
     
     

This can all be powered via integration with services like OpenAI, or hosted locally using a setup like our Local LLM for FileMaker tutorial.

Why This Beats Traditional Search

 

Real Benefits for Construction & Field Teams

• Speed up quoting and estimating

• Reduce errors by reusing proven language

• Make junior estimators more productive

• Standardize tone and terminology across your documents

• Eliminate redundant work

Whether you build HVAC systems, manage commercial renovations, or run a field service company, this tool helps your team move faster and smarter—with FileMaker as your foundation.

Can Your FileMaker Do This?

If your team is still navigating shared drives, copy-pasting from old files, or relying on institutional memory to build client proposals, it might be time to level up.

With the right integration, FileMaker can support AI-powered semantic search to help you find content faster and deliver more tailored, winning proposals.

Want to see this in action? We’d love to show you how this works in a real-world FileMaker app. Let’s talk.

 

Large conventions and industry events often involve complex logistics—including the rental and management of thousands of pieces of equipment. From booth displays and AV gear to tables, lighting, and staging, every item must be reserved, delivered, tracked, and returned with precision. Managing high-volume equipment rentals requires a solution that handles the details in real time without dropping the ball.

That’s where Claris FileMaker comes in. FileMaker’s flexible, low-code platform empowers businesses to create customized rental management solutions that simplify scheduling, automate check-in/check-out processes, and ensure accurate invoicing—all within a single interface. With FileMaker, teams can efficiently manage rentals from reservation to return, even across large and fast-paced environments like conventions and trade shows.

Challenges of High-Volume Rental Management

When handling equipment at scale, traditional spreadsheets or generic rental systems often fall short. Companies face a range of challenges, including:

• Overlapping Reservations – Without real-time scheduling, equipment can be double-booked or forgotten.
  
  

• Lost or Damaged Gear – Tracking asset status and condition is difficult without a consistent logging system.
  
  

• Manual Invoicing Errors – Billing based on usage can be time-consuming and error-prone.
  
  

• Scattered Communication – Without centralized data, sales, logistics, and accounting teams can lose sight of project details.
  
  

These issues become amplified when managing hundreds—or thousands—of concurrent rentals at large-scale conventions.

How FileMaker Streamlines Equipment Rentals

Claris FileMaker provides a centralized platform to manage every part of the rental process, customized to fit your workflows. With FileMaker, you can:

• Automate Reservations and Scheduling
  Use calendar views and dashboards to manage real-time availability. Prevent double bookings with intelligent scheduling rules.
  
  

• Track Inventory in Real Time
  Monitor where each item is, its status, and its condition. Log check-outs and returns using mobile devices or barcode scanners.
  
  

• Generate Invoices Automatically
  FileMaker can calculate rental duration, late fees, and damage charges, generating accurate invoices and syncing with your accounting system.
  
  

• Integrate with 3PL and Logistics Partners
  For conventions with offsite storage or outsourced logistics, FileMaker integrates with third-party logistics (3PL) systems to track deliveries, pickups, and shipping manifests.
  
  

• Support On-Site Staff with iPads
  Field teams can use FileMaker on iPads to manage inventory on the convention floor, capture signatures, and even attach photos of setup or damage.
  
  

Custom Solutions for Convention Workflows

What makes FileMaker especially powerful for this use case is its adaptability. Need to create client-specific rate tiers, automate follow-up emails, or tag assets by convention type? You can build it. Want to generate reports on equipment utilization or rental trends? Done. FileMaker molds to your operational needs—not the other way around.

High-volume equipment rental operations demand organization, flexibility, and speed—especially at large events like conventions. With Claris FileMaker, you can simplify rental scheduling, inventory tracking, and billing while integrating with logistics partners and on-site teams. Interested to learn more about how Claris FileMaker can solve for high-volume rental management? Reach out to Kyo Logic here.

 

In fast-moving environments like conventions, field service, or equipment rentals, staying on top of inventory is crucial. Missing or overbooked items can lead to project delays, lost revenue, and unhappy clients. To operate efficiently, businesses need a way to track every delivery and return as it happens—with total accuracy and visibility.

Claris FileMaker offers a powerful way to track inventory in real time. With a custom FileMaker app, your team can monitor stock levels across multiple locations, log item deliveries and returns on the go, and reduce manual errors with barcode scanning or automated workflows. The result is a streamlined process that keeps everyone aligned—whether they’re in the office, on the warehouse floor, or at a client site.

Why Real-Time Inventory Tracking Matters

Outdated or manual tracking methods often lead to:

• Inaccurate Stock Counts – Items go missing or are double-booked.
  
  

• Delayed Deliveries – Teams lose time locating available inventory.
  
  

• Lost Revenue – Unavailable or forgotten items cause missed opportunities.
  
  

• Disjointed Workflows – Teams rely on phone calls or emails to confirm stock status.
  
  

These issues are magnified when your operations involve multiple events, frequent shipments, or 3PL coordination.

How FileMaker Simplifies Real-Time Inventory Management

With Claris FileMaker, your inventory system can be built to match your exact workflows. Here’s how it helps:

• Live Inventory Dashboards
  FileMaker apps show current item counts by category, location, and status. Warehouse teams and project managers can instantly see what’s available.
  
  

• Mobile Check-In/Check-Out
  Staff can scan items in and out using iPads or iPhones, automatically updating inventory in the central database.
  
  

• Track Deliveries and Returns
  Document the delivery, return, and condition of each item. Attach photos or notes to create an auditable chain of custody.
  
  

• Automate Notifications
  Trigger alerts when inventory is low or when returns are overdue, helping you stay proactive.
  
  

• 3PL Integration
  Coordinate inventory movement with third-party logistics providers by syncing FileMaker with external tracking systems or importing manifest data.
  
  

Designed for Your Operations

Unlike rigid out-of-the-box systems, FileMaker lets you customize every field, status, or report. Need to track serial numbers, condition reports, or upcoming reservations? Want to generate usage reports by event or client? You can build it all into your FileMaker solution—no coding team required.

Real-time inventory tracking is the foundation of smooth operations, especially when deliveries and returns happen on tight schedules. With Claris FileMaker, you gain full visibility into your stock, streamline coordination with teams and vendors, and prevent costly errors. Interested to learn more about how Claris FileMaker can solve for real-time inventory tracking? Reach out to Kyo Logic here.

Introduction: A Native FileMaker Solution for Exporting Container Data on Server

For years, exporting container data in FileMaker Server was a challenge. The standard method—Export Field Contents—is not server-compatible, meaning developers had to find workarounds, rely on plugins, or move data processing to the client side.

But now, thanks to FileMaker’s native Data File script steps, you can export container data directly on FileMaker Server—without additional tools, without the container field needing to be on the layout, and without complex scripting workarounds.

If you’ve ever searched for:

• How to export PDFs in FileMaker Server

• How to extract container data on a FileMaker scheduled script

• How to handle container exports without client interaction

… then this guide is for you.

Why This Method Matters

Key Benefits of Using the Data File Script for Container Exports:

• Works on FileMaker Server Scheduled Scripts & Perform Script on Server (unlike Export Field Contents)

• No need for third-party plugins

• Container fields don’t need to be present on the layout

• More control over file handling & automation

When Should You Use This?

This method is ideal for:

• Automating scheduled exports of PDFs, images, or documents stored in containers

• Processing large volumes of container data on the server without client-side scripts

• Exporting files in a multi-user system where container access needs to happen in the background

• Generating server-side backups of container data

• File transfers between FileMaker and external systems

Step-by-Step Guide: Exporting Container Data Using the Data File Script

1️⃣ Determine the File Name & Path

First, define a file path and file name that the script will use. Any valid FileMaker file path will work. In these instructions (and our demo file), we use:

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$filepath

 

This variable will store the full file path of the exported container data.

 

2️⃣ Check for Existing Files

Before creating a new file, check whether the file already exists at $filepath.

💡 Use the Get File Exists function to determine if the file is present:

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If [ Get File Exists ( $filepath ) ]

    Delete File [ $filepath ]

End If

 

If the file exists, Delete File ensures that the script removes the previous file before proceeding.

 

3️⃣ Create the New File & Write Data

Now, create a new data file and export the container’s contents.

Step 1: Create the Data File

Use the Create Data File script step to generate the new file. However, note that this does not automatically open the file for writing.

Step 2: Open the Data File

Once the file is created, use Open Data File to make it available for writing:

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Set Variable [$fileReference; Open Data File ( $filepath )]

 

Step 3: Write Data to File

Use Write to Data File to write the actual container data into the newly created file:

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Write to Data File [ $fileReference ; Data Source: <ContainerField> ]

 

This step directly points to the container field you want to export.

Step 4: Close the File (VERY IMPORTANT!)

After writing the data, ALWAYS close the file using Close Data File to ensure proper handling:

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Close Data File [ $fileReference ]

 

Failing to close the file properly may result in corrupted data or issues accessing the file.

 

How This Method Compares to Export Field Contents

 

 

If you need WebDirect compatibility, stick with Export Field Contents. Otherwise, the Data File script offers a more robust server-compatible method.

 

Try It Yourself – Download Our Demo File!

We’ve put together a demo file showcasing these steps in action. Download it and experiment with the process in your own FileMaker environment.

Download the Demo File

Conclusion: A Game Changer for FileMaker Server Users

Exporting container data in FileMaker Server has long been a pain point for developers. But with the Data File script, you can now:

• Export PDFs, images, or any file type directly from the server

• Run automated exports without client-side scripting

• Eliminate the need for third-party plugins

• Keep container fields off the layout for better security & performance

If you’ve been struggling with exporting files in FileMaker Server, this method is the native solution you’ve been waiting for.

Have questions? Want to see this in action? Reach out—we’d love to help optimize your FileMaker workflow!

 

Key Takeaways

• Data File script works on FileMaker Server Scheduled Scripts & PSOS

• Supports automated, scheduled exports

• Ideal for PDF, image, and document handling

• Fully native—no plugins required!

Ready to streamline your container exports? Let’s talk!