FileMaker debuts FileMaker Pro 8 desktop database

FileMaker today announced FileMaker Pro 8, a new version of its popular desktop database that features "new ways to work faster, share and manage information of all types, and be more productive." Version 8 deliers a new PDF Maker--based on the Adobe PDF Library licensed via Datalogics--which allows users to convert attractive graphic-rich reports of their data into PDFs. It also features a new Excel Maker, which can save data as a Microsoft Excel file. The company also debuted FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced (previously FileMaker Developer), which is also available today and delivers new features designed to allow advanced users and developers to add greater customization to their databases. The company also announced other products in its FileMaker 8 product line: FileMaker Server 8; FileMaker Server 8 Advanced and FileMaker Mobile 8, which are planned to ship this Fall.

"With FileMaker Pro 8, it is now even easier to manage and share information of all types even with non-FileMaker users," said Dominique Goupil, president of FileMaker, Inc. "FileMaker 8 has set a new standard for the database market by delivering the ultimate combination of power, ease of use, and sharing. By making it easier to create, learn and use shared information solutions, FileMaker 8 will bring even more new users into the database category. Customers can now work faster and share data with more people and office applications than any other desktop database."

FileMaker 8, available for both Windows and Mac OS X, offers many new capabilities to make information-sharing more prevalent. It features a new Fast Match search feature that can quickly find records that match the current text field; the ability to send the contents of any field via the built-in email features; auto-complete based on previous entries or Value Lists; point-and-click calendar drop down; new email merge functions; a new visual Spell Checker; Mouse Wheel support; improved Table import; and new/easier ways to create and manage tables and associated relationships.

FileMaker Pro 8 ships with 30 ready-to-use Starter Solutions, including a new Email Campaign Management solution that can quickly import data from other formats, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access or other software formats.

New FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced

In addition to all of the features found in FileMaker Pro 8, the "Advanced" version (previously sold under the "Developer" moniker) offers development and customization tools, such as the ability to customize menus and add custom Tooltips, as well as robust troubleshooting and database analysis tools.

FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced offers new Custom Menus, which includes the ability to execute scripts from menus; add, edit or delete menus and menu items; and create custom scripts for toolbars, context menus, window options and more. Advanced users and developers can also add Custom Tooltips (static and calculated) to provide guided data entry guidance, pertinent information related to a particular record, and enhanced training tips for new users.

FileMaker also added a new Data Viewer for monitoring fields, variables, and expressions when debugging scripts or general troubleshooting and testing calculation formulas without modifying the database schema.

"We renamed FileMaker Developer to FileMaker Pro Advanced because we found that growing numbers of our users were building advanced solutions but did not consider themselves traditional developers," said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, Marketing and Services for FileMaker. "With FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced we deliver the tools needed to customize and manage powerful databases, while retaining the ease of use that has made FileMaker a market leader."

FileMaker Server 8 and FileMaker Server 8 Advanced

FileMaker Server 8 offers high-performance, reliable file-sharing for teams of FileMaker users. FileMaker Server 8 Advanced provides all that FileMaker Server 8 offers as well as powerful web publishing and external connectivity options. In FileMaker Server 8 Advanced, the company says that the the popular Instant Web Publishing (IWP) has been updated to offer even more functionality and security. According to the company, users can find, add, edit, and delete information faster using the newly optimized FileMaker Server 8 database engine. All of the features offered within FileMaker Pro 8 are supported by FileMaker Server 8.

Both Server products are scheduled to ship this Fall and are available for pre-order via the company's website.

FileMaker Mobile 8

FileMaker Mobile 8, also scheduled to ship this Fall, is a companion version of FileMaker Pro 8 designed specifically for Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds (supports Palm OS 5 and Windows Mobile 2003). Allowing users to take their information on the road, FileMaker Mobile 8 supports FileMaker Pro-based runtime applications and can synchronize multiple devices to the desktop database.

FileMaker Pro 8 is available now for $300 with upgrades priced at $180 for both FileMaker Pro 6/7 users. FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced is $500. Licensed users of FileMaker Developer 6/7 may upgrade to FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced for $300 and licensed users of FileMaker Pro 6, 7, 8 may upgrade to FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced through June 30, 2006 for $300. FileMaker Pro 8 Server will be available in the Fall for $1000 (upgrades starting at $300), while FileMaker Pro 8 Server Advanced will be available for $2,500 (upgrades starting at $750).

All five FileMaker Applications, including FileMaker Tasks, FileMaker Meetings, FileMaker Recruiter FileMaker Donations and FileMaker Work Requests, are compatible with the FileMaker 8 product line.

Filed under: enterprise
Other story tags: servers