Alloy Embedded vs. Claris FileMaker vs. DevExpress Universal

If your company is really small, I can understand the need for a product like this. However, I would go for MS Access... FileMaker Pro can not be integrated with other systems (like MS Access can at least be handled by C# for instance, and can be integrated with MS Excel or even SQL server). I'm really not sure in what scenario one would choose for FileMaker Pro. If your application or company grows bigger, you're going to have a problem to move to another environment. Also, the fact that only one person can work with the backend at any given time is a problem in a somewhat larger company.

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When you want to display spreadsheet based reports, it's really convenient as it has everything out of the box.

If you have very basic components like combo boxes or lists, there is hardly a point in using such a large component set.

In the end, it's a matter of finding a good balance between functionality and complexity.

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• The relational database management system makes the program highly customizable to fit the needs of any product. You can add a ton of information to each record and update your inventory on a regular basis with an Excel import or manually inside of the record. It has the capability to incorporate barcoding, which can manage your available inventory with ease.
• The scripting language allows FileMaker to automatically calculate complex algorithms automatically or generate report outs with the click of a button. This allows for greater UI, especially with active users who are not familiar with writing code. Almost all of our internal data is linked to the FileMaker database
• The server license allows many users to update the database in real time, which is handy if your inventory is constantly changing. We have users with Macs, PCs, iPhones and handheld tablets linked to our FileMaker database and they are updating the information constantly throughout the day.
• If you invest some time into formatting and scripting the database, there is a high ease of use for users without knowledge of any programming or FileMaker itself.

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• Handle large and complex datasets using its table widget (DataGrid)
• Handle large and complex hierarchical datasets using its tree table widget (TreeList)
• Customize widget to fulfill advanced requirements such as adding a complex grid inside a grid cell

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• Developer features need to be beefed up - namely adding the ability to search code for a phrase or keyword and the ability to do the same in the "relationship graph" in the database.
• Add ability for users to edit the same table record at the same time by version control.
• Allow Filemaker Server to use more than 1 core; currently multi-processing is not supported and it can be tricky to find just the right server to support the application you've built to the fullest capacity.

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• Documentation could be improved
• Better examples of code in languages other than C
• Better wizards for building applications

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It it not really up to me but my opinion does have some weight in the decision and the reason I would renew my use FileMaker Pro 8.5 is because I am finally getting used to it! Now that I have been working with the program, tasks have become quicker and projects are getting done faster. File Maker Pro 8.5 really is a versatile tool and I think we are just scratching the surface with it's abilities.

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It's almost what it should be after so may years and with Apple's longevity and strength behind it. For people who earn their living based on efficiency I think there are too many developer obstacles that waste time and therefore money.

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mostly never issues and if there are they are resolved fast

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for the most part but lots of error messages if you type something h correctly

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The forums are great with lots of helpful experts and the staff monitor them to provide help where needed. There have been a couple of unique technical issues I've had to deal with that I haven't been able to get resolved so I chose to score this a 9 instead of a 10.

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easy to follow along and was able to jump in right away

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Suggest you use an iterative R.A.D. or AGILE development approach. (i.e. rather than writing a gigantic spec for a system, then building it). FileMaker facilitates quick prototypes. Developing an example, then allowing users to "try it out" is a snap.

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FileMaker is still the quickest way to go from zero to having a minimum viable working solution. Simple solutions can be built in as little as a afternoon of development. It is the only tool I am aware of which allows tech savy end users with domain knowledge to build bespoke apps for their businesses without undertaking professional software development training.

DevExpress Universal controls are much simpler to use, implement and customized as compared to Kendo. Learning curve for telerik is high, though level of customization that can be achieved with telerik exceeds that of DevExpress Universal. Found DevExpress Universal community support to be better then its competitors. License cost is also a wining bar here.

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it's most definitely does as we are a unique business to use this for scholarship awarding

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• We are a more agile company because of FileMaker. A few of us who are tech-savvy enough to manage the database (but are not professional developers) can make needed adjustments to our database without having to employ an in-house developer or contract with a 3rd party. As our business processes evolve and change, it's easy to update the database to accommodate those changes.

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• It is good for asp.net application and it takes less time in development which we used two years back.
• We have stopped with these tools when clients were asking applications to be built in angular or react. We have switched to Kendo.