View this article at: http://dev.macnn.com/articles/07/07/10/filemaker.pro.9.ships
Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 10:45am
FileMaker Pro 9 adds PHP in...
FileMaker today officially launched FileMaker Pro 9, updating its entire line of database products with more than 30 new enhancements. The new FileMaker 9 product line includes FileMaker Pro 9, FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced, FileMaker Server 9, and FileMaker Server 9 Advanced. FileMaker Pro 9 includes numerous users for end users as well as developers to simplify creating, automating, sharing, and reporting from databases. A new Quick Start screen for new users aims to aid productivity, while Conditional Formatting highlights data based on parameters set by users. FileMaker Pro 9 also adds the ability to email a link to other FileMaker users which they can click to instantly access a database. FileMaker Server 9 Advanced ($2,500 or $1,500 to upgrade), FileMaker Server 9 ($1,000 or $600 to upgrade), FileMaker Pro 9 ($300 or $180 to upgrade), and FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced ($500 or $300 to upgrade) are all already available for purchase via FileMaker.com.

The newest release offers tools for FileMaker users and workgroups to easily connect to company and Web data residing in external SQL data sources (MySQL, Oracle SQL, and Microsoft SQL Server). The new Server 9 products also feature a modernized and streamlined Admin Console to help users set up and administer Server software. External SQL data sources Using the new one-way or two-way live connectivity to popular SQL sources, FileMaker Pro 9 users within any business or organization can safely and securely create custom reports, add calculations and other fields, and build relationships with existing FileMaker data by using the tools of FileMaker Pro. New PHP features enable Web developers to publish information to external websites, gather information from Web visitors, and create new Web-based applications with a FileMaker back-end. Mac users can connect to SQL sources with the Actual ODBC Pack 2.7, which is already shipping from Actual Technologies. New data integration, easier database design FileMaker Pro 9 also offers script grouping and editing tools, conditional formatting, auto-resize, enhanced layout objects, improved tab control, and an updated Web Viewer. Enhanced database design report and file maintenance tools are designed to ease the process of modifying and maintaining databases, while an improved script debugger and data viewer help identify as well as correct script errors earlier in the design process. A PHP Site Assistant link also provides a one-click launch of the PHP Site Assistant included in FileMaker Server 9.