Filemaker Pro 9
- Easily create databases to manage customers, clients, products, assets and more
- Design customized forms and applications that work the way you do
- Instantly access the information you need
- Share databases with Windows and Mac users simultaneously over the network or across the Web
- Easily convert or create popular formats such as Excel or PDF
Rating: 5 of 5
FileMaker Pro 9
Rating: 5 of 5
excellent program
Rating: 4 of 5
Pricey, but easy 2 use & learn!
Cons: Steep learning curve 4 advanced applications.
Some of the most useful software available are database programs. With them you can do anything - from managing large customer invoices 2 organizing your home DVD collection. While Microsoft Access seems 2 be the most well-known database program, I have never found it 2 be very user friendly. Filemaker Pro 9 has emerged 4 me as the simplest & most versatile database program available.
While Access employs commands that only a programmer would be able 2 understand, Filemaker Pro uses simpler terminology that makes it easier 4 new users 2 jump right in & create their first databases. Layout creation is almost self-explanatory, with simple drag-and-drop of information field locations & the ability 2 resize & change fonts while instantly previewing your completed form on the screen.
Not only is it easy 2 make your Filemaker Pro database look good, but it is very simple 2 customize & create the exact information fields you need. Field creation is practically a one-step process: type field name & hit enter. But 2 get the most out of your database, you have the ability - through multiple available validation requirements -- 2 ensure the right data goes in the right field. For instance, you can make sure that no one enters incorrect zip codes into a personnel information database by only allowing five-character numerical values into that field. There's nothing more frustrating than spending hours & hours creating the perfect database & having one person screw it up by fat-fingering data.
In addition 2 simple information fields, you have the ability 2 add buttons, tabs, drop-down menus, option boxes & checkboxes. You can import photos of people 4 a customer database or CD covers 4 your personal music collection database. You can even create links 2 Google Maps 2 display quick directions 2 important addresses right in your database forms.
Need 2 compile information from multiple fields? Well, Filemaker Pro 9 has an extensive ability 2 perform calculations & assign those values 2 fields as you deem necessary. As a relational database program, this can be done using information from multiple other databases as well. And with the ability 2 compute 2 more significant digits than even Microsoft Excel is capable, there is more than enough accuracy 2 meet almost anyone's statistical needs.
So, with all these great features, why wouldn't someone want 2 use Filemaker Pro 9? Well, with great software there is always a price. This one comes in the range of $275 2 $300. So if all you really ever hope 2 accomplish with a database program is 2 organize your DVDs & CDs, then there are much cheaper routes 2 take. And even though Filemaker has really simplified the database program's user interface, there is just so much 2 do that it can't be covered in even the 200-page manual that's in the box. And while Filemaker has taken significant steps in making the database program usable by the average computer owner, the manual is still written 4 experts & poorly organized.
If you have a need 4 a comprehensive database program 4 business or even personal use, & money is not an issue, than this is definitely the program 4 you. Whether this is your first time or you're an Access veteran, you'll find making your first Filemaker Pro database a simple & fun experience. If you're in the market, at least try the 30-day trial. If your needs are simpler & your LES a little more limited, go 4 FileMaker's cheaper consumer-oriented Bento instead.
Rating: 5 of 5
GREAT AS ALWAYS
Rating: 4 of 5
Great software
Don
Watch the Overview Video Now! |
Connect 2 the world of data in so many new ways!
Combining both power & simplicity, FileMaker Pro 9 gives you the tools you need 2 connect 2 the world of data!
Get started quickly
The award-winning ease of use that is built into every aspect of FileMaker Pro continues 2 be praised by millions of customers & industry experts around the world. With its easy installation & setup, you'll be up & running in a matter of minutes--not hours or days.
Gather your information in one place
Information comes in many forms, from business cards 2 Microsoft Excel files, images 2 SQL Server data--FileMaker Pro helps you bring it all together with a few clicks. Convert Excel spreadsheets & other files 2 FileMaker Pro databases 4 easier searching, sorting, reporting, & sharing. Or use powerful productivity features designed 2 make data entry much faster & more accurate.
Instant access 2 the information you need
Use FileMaker Pro 2 organize, sort through, & find information from individual contacts 2 large data sets. When someone calls, you will have the contact history, the project state, or the shipment status right at hand. Bring up records by date, location, or content. Create formulas & calculations & summaries. You will be amazed how easy it is 2 be informed.
Report & communicate all your information
Transform data into useful information by creating reports & layouts that work the way you do. FileMaker Pro comes complete with step-by-step tools that help you create reports & then email them 2 your colleagues as Adobe PDF or Excel files. Or choose from hundreds of pre-defined templates 4 labels & envelopes 2 help get the word out with ease.
Power 2 take you further
Build powerful yet flexible custom applications using the FileMaker Pro relational database management system. Design complete scalable solutions 4 your organization & automate repetitive tasks with the powerful scripting language, all without the help of a programmer.
Built-in network sharing & security
Securely sharing databases is easy with FileMaker Pro. Windows & Mac OS FileMaker Pro users on the same network can access the same database file simultaneously. And with the advanced security model in FileMaker Pro, you can determine what your users can do & see.
Connect with the Web
Publishing basic web forms or web-based status updates & lists is simple with the Instant Web Publishing feature built into FileMaker Pro. You can create web forms 4 event sign-ups, customer feedback & service requests. Or setup security privileges 4 your clients so they can login through their web browser 2 get a status update. And you can harness the information that is available on the Web by using the FileMaker Web Viewer 2 get real-time information from the Web that is associated with your data without having 2 open a Web browser.
It's never been easier 2 connect directly 2 the information you need in FileMaker Pro with the FileMaker Quick Start Screen & enhanced built-in FileMaker Help. |
New! Connect 2 Your FileMaker Data
On your mark, get set, connect!
Connect directly 2 the information you need every time you launch FileMaker Pro 9 with the new FileMaker Quick Start Screen. Whether you want 2 create a new database, open an existing database or learn more about using FileMaker Pro 9, you'll get 2 where you need 2 go faster than ever.
Faster from the start
The FileMaker Quick Start Screen is the first screen you see when launching FileMaker Pro 9. It provides a simple navigation 2 create a new database, open an existing database, or learn more about the product with the FileMaker Learning Center.
- Create Database--Build a FileMaker Pro database from scratch or choose from one of 30 Starter Solutions.
- Open Database--Browse files, open recent files or choose from your customized list of favorite files. Even add or delete files from your favorites list.
- Learn More--Learn FileMaker Pro at your own pace with the FileMaker Learning Center.
For those who are new 2 FileMaker Pro, you'll have everything you need in one place 2 get you started on your first database. For those who have been using FileMaker Pro 4 years, you'll love being able 2 open recent files or create a favorites list of the databases that you use most often.
Help when you need it
Now it is even easier 2 harness the power & flexibility of FileMaker Pro 2 build a solution that works 4 you. When you are working on a calculation, setting up a button, creating a new layout, or adding a FileMaker Web Viewer, just click on the new ÒLearn moreÓ button in these dialogs 4 quick access 2 the relevant sections of the built-in FileMaker Help.
You'll quickly be on your way 2 managing people, projects, assets & more--the easy way!
Stay on top of the details that matter the most. Conditional formatting is great 4 visually identifying when something is out-of-bounds or needs attention. |
At-a-glance indicators
Connect 2 changes in your FileMaker Pro 9 data by visually formatting fields & objects based on parameters that you decide! New Conditional Formatting can be applied 2 fields, FileMaker Web Viewer objects, text objects, or text based buttons. Choose from a list of pre-defined conditions or create your own with a calculation 4 enhanced reporting. For example, you can now set future due dates 2 green & past due dates 2 red & bold.
At-a-glance knowledge
Are any payments overdue? What contracts are expiring next month? Are you on-time & under budget? Connect 2 changes in your data with Conditional Formatting. You set the way a field or object is displayed based on parameters that you decide. Choose the font, font style, font size, font color & fill color. You'll know who owes you money & what tasks are overdue because the font will change 2 bright red & bold (or whatever you want it to) when this occurs.
Never miss a due date again
Let's say that you schedule shifts 4 a department where employees can only be scheduled 2 work if all of their certifications are current. A visual reminder of the status of a certification would be very helpful 2 you. For example, with Conditional Formatting you can set the date field so that:
- If date is more than 30 days away, the date appears green.
- If date is within the next 30 days, the date appears yellow.
- If date is today or has already occurred, the date appears red.
Quick performance indicators
Many organizations use performance indicators 2 judge how well they are doing or 2 achieve desired outcomes. Choose from a list of 20 pre-defined conditions or create your own with a calculation. This makes it simple 2 monitor & troubleshoot when your performance indicators are outside of the thresholds that you've defined.
Use Conditional Formatting with External SQL Data Sources 2 create useful information dashboards of your organization's data.
Imagine being able 2 access the same information with others at the same time. It's safe & easy with FileMaker Pro. |
Database sharing made even easier
In just a few minutes, you can be sharing your database with others. Just click on Send Link & FileMaker Pro will create an email with a simple hyperlink that when clicked on, will open your database. You can edit the email in your email client 2 add any additional instructions or information about your database 4 your users making it easier than ever 4 your users 2 connect 2 your database.
Simultaneous sharing
Let's say that you create a database in FileMaker Pro & then someone else in your organization wants 2 use that database too. No need 2 post files 2 a server; sharing is built right into every copy of FileMaker Pro. If your computers are connected 2 a network, you & up 2 nine other Windows & Mac OS FileMaker Pro users can access the same database file simultaneously.* Plus, the new Send Link database sharing feature makes it easy 4 others 2 connect 2 your database by creating an email with a hyperlink that launches your database with one click.** You can also extend your database 2 publish basic Web forms, status & lists with Instant Web Publishing or connect FileMaker Pro 2 your website with PHP Web Publishing.
And if you ever want 2 share with larger groups, FileMaker has easy-to-use server solutions available.
Powerful security
Databases can contain information from the most simplistic 2 the highly confidential. With the advanced security features of FileMaker Pro, you decide who has access 2 what information & when. You can secure your databases by assigning account names & passwords, & then assign custom privileges 4 each user, specifying what they can view & edit, down 2 the field level. So you can limit what users can see & do by restricting access based on your work rules.
*If you have more than 9 users, please learn more about FileMaker Server
**The recipient of the email must have FileMaker Pro installed.
Effortless reporting
Whether you want 2 create an invoice 2 send 2 a customer or publish a report 2 your team, FileMaker Pro 9 makes it easy 2 create an Adobe PDF from your FileMaker data directly within FileMaker using PDF Maker, a feature introduced in FileMaker Pro 8. Now, with the new Append 2 PDF feature, you can combine multiple reports into one PDF & email the PDF 2 the recipients you specify, connecting them 2 the latest information.
Latest Updates
Stay current with the latest software with new Software Update Notification. FileMaker Pro 9 automatically checks 4 software updates weekly. All it takes is an Internet connection.
Create live connections 2 Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle & MySQL with ease! |
New! Connect 2 Your SQL Data
Do-it-yourself SQL reporting
Have you ever wished that you could access information stored in MS SQL Server, Oracle & MySQL? Now you can! During a fast one-time setup, you add a SQL table or view 2 the FileMaker Relationship Graph & from that point on you have a live connection 2 the external SQL data source. Then, create custom reports & solutions using all your familiar FileMaker Pro tools.
Create solutions that include SQL data
No longer do you need high-end programming skills 2 add SQL data 2 FileMaker Pro solutions. Now anyone can extend FileMaker Pro solutions 2 include information located in SQL systems--all without needing 2 know any programming languages or how 2 write SQL queries. You can create new information by adding supplemental calculation & summary fields 2 the SQL table in FileMaker. Run finds, sorts, & exports on the table. Even use the values in scripts. It's easy because it is
FileMaker Pro.
FileMaker Pro gives you the tools you need 2 do all sorts of useful things with data from an external SQL data source, multiple external SQL data sources, or FileMaker Pro & external SQL data source(s). Use SQL information 2 create name badges or shipping labels. Track requisitions & purchase orders. Develop a visual catalog of inventory & assets. Everything that FileMaker Pro can do--now you can do with data from SQL.
Enable knowledge workers 2 use SQL data - safely
If you are an administrator 4 a SQL database, you know the constant demand 4 ad-hoc data pulls & custom solutions. Simply provide the knowledge workers in your organization with access 2 your SQL views or tables. FileMaker Pro utilizes standard system-level DSNs & you decide what level of access 2 provide (read only or read/write). Then they'll be off reporting & creating solutions 2 their heart's content & you'll be free 2 work on other projects. Or use FileMaker Pro yourself & enjoy a dream environment 4 Rapid Application Development & deployment.
Based on future-proof open ODBC standards
FileMaker Pro's External Data Source feature was built with future expansion in mind. The initial release is certified 2 work with the following popular SQL databases:
- MS SQL Server 2000
- MS SQL Server 2005
- Oracle 9g
- Oracle 10g
- MySQL 5.0 Community Edition (free)
The External Data Source feature also allows you 2 connect 2 remote FileMaker Pro databases, creating a "one source" tool 4 bringing all your critical data together.
Locate the scripts you need, when you need them. Create new scripts in a flash with multiple script editing windows. |
New! Connect 2 Your Creativity
Super script organizing
The more scripts you add 2 automate your solution, the more important it is 2 stay organized. That's why you'll appreciate how easy FileMaker Pro 9 makes it 2 group & edit your scripts with the new Script Grouping & Editing Tools.
Get organized
Tracking down the script you need is virtually trouble-free with new Script Organization features. Group related scripts 4 faster access. You can put all Report scripts in one group & all navigation scripts in another group. Categorize scripts in whatever way makes sense 2 you. If you have a lot of scripts, you can collapse & expand groups 2 make the list more manageable.
Instant discovery
Find the scripts you need in the blink of an eye, even if you don't know which group 2 look in. Just type as much of the script name as you know in the search box & FileMaker Pro will show you the list of scripts that match.
Super script editing
Get more out of scripts you have, & create new scripts faster. Quickly create new scripts by duplicating similar ones you've already created. With multiple script editing windows, you can view existing scripts while you develop a new script.
In addition, now multiple users can login 2 the same solution & edit scripts at the same time.
Connect 2 your creative side with more tools 2 make your layouts, including those with a Tab Control or FileMaker Web Viewer, even better than before. |
Creativity at your fingertips
Connect 2 your creativity! Now you can design better & more creative layouts with intuitive new layout object tools. Modify the tab sizes with the new Tab Control options. Add a status bar or display HTML content stored in your database with the new FileMaker Web Viewer options.
Precision tuning
The Tab Control is a great way 2 logically organize information. Now you can set the tabs 2 the width you want. For example, you may have a small label but want the tab containing the label 2 be larger, possibly because it looks better or because you want a larger area 2 click on. Or you may be putting images on the tabs so you want the tabs 2 be big enough 2 fit the image. Now you can specify the size of the tab. Also, you can designate which tab is the default front tab.
Up-to-date information
When a web page is loading in your browser, you can glance at the status bar 2 monitor progress. Now, you can add the same status bar 2 the FileMaker Web Viewer. Also, you can dynamically display web pages in the FileMaker Web Viewer that are driven by HTML stored in a field in your database.
One size fits all
Design it once. Use it anywhere. Layout objects, such as portals, tab controls, & the FileMaker Web Viewer, will scale 2 fit the screen or printer being used. With the new Auto-Resize feature, layout objects that you choose will resize or move in order 2 maintain a constant distance 2 the sides of the window or container that they have been anchored to.
More great features
FileMaker Pro 9 also includes these new & exciting features:
- New! Field Level Spell Checking so you can turn on or off visual spell-checking 4 individual fields.
- New! Multiple Undos & Redos so you can undo & redo more than once when editing text within a field.
- New! Enhanced Toolbars, including the new Align Toolbar 4 faster layout design & an updated Standard Toolbar that includes buttons 4 PDF Maker & Excel Maker.
- New! 10 additional Avery labels layouts including Shipping Labels ideal 4 packaging & printing postage.
($245.00)
Buy Filemaker Pro 9 Now!
