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Claris FileMaker

Claris FileMaker

Overview

What is Claris FileMaker?

Claris' FileMaker is presented as a Workplace Innovation Platform, and is used to create a custom app. Manual processes can be automated with Claris FileMaker Pro, and apps can be created to manage contacts, track inventory, organize projects, etc.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

FileMaker has been widely adopted by small and medium enterprises in various sectors to address a wide range of business needs. Users have …
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TrustRadius Insights
TrustRadius Insights

All in One

9 out of 10
October 17, 2019
Incentivized
We use FileMaker Pro daily for building our product and gathering all the information into one section to make it easily accessible …
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FileMaker Pro

9 out of 10
June 29, 2019
Incentivized
FileMaker Pro is used as our ERP system, and is being used by the entire company. It keeps track of customers, vendors, and inventory.
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Pricing

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Platform Subscription

$21

Cloud
per month per user

Individual desktop license

$594

On Premise
one-time fee

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.claris.com/filemaker/pro

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

Starting price (does not include set up fee)

  • $21 per month per user
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Product Demos

FileMaker/HTML5/JavaScript GPS Map Demo (iPad)

YouTube

Text Parsing in FileMaker : Live Demo - Example 1

YouTube

FileMaker Pro 11 Course for Beginner

YouTube
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Product Details

What is Claris FileMaker?

Claris' FileMaker is presented as a Workplace Innovation Platform, and is used to create a custom app. Manual processes can be automated with Claris FileMaker Pro, and apps can be created to manage contacts, track inventory, organize projects, etc.

FileMaker Pro is a low-code tool so users don’t have to be developers to make an app. Using FileMaker Pro, any problem solver can:

Drag and drop to create layouts.
Use built-in templates and add-ons.
Run apps on Windows and Mac.
Create mobile apps.
Share apps on phones, tablets, and laptops.
Make instant reports on the fly.


FileMaker Pro comes with built-in templates delivered through a marketplace. And Claris FileMaker Go for iPad and iPhone is a solution presented as ideal for mobile teams in the field or away from a desk. It can be used to (for instance) check inventory in the warehouse, create invoices during client visits, or perform inspections onsite.

Claris FileMaker Video

What is FileMaker Pro?

Claris FileMaker Competitors

Claris FileMaker Technical Details

Deployment TypesOn-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsWindows, Mac
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Claris' FileMaker is presented as a Workplace Innovation Platform, and is used to create a custom app. Manual processes can be automated with Claris FileMaker Pro, and apps can be created to manage contacts, track inventory, organize projects, etc.

Claris FileMaker starts at $21.

Microsoft Access, Quickbase, and Zoho Creator are common alternatives for Claris FileMaker.

Reviewers rate Support Rating highest, with a score of 8.6.

The most common users of Claris FileMaker are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(169)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

FileMaker has been widely adopted by small and medium enterprises in various sectors to address a wide range of business needs. Users have leveraged FileMaker to solve business problems and automate processes, such as time tracking, invoicing, reporting, and more. The software has become mission-critical for companies, with every employee using it on a daily basis. It has been utilized for office administration, invoicing, expenses, data collection, contact management, and inventory management. Companies have found FileMaker to be a versatile tool that eliminates islands of technology by providing a central database that can be accessed on any device from anywhere. It has been deployed on Mac and Windows desktops, web browsers, and native iOS and Android applications.

In addition to its versatility, FileMaker Pro has proved valuable in specific industries. For example, it has been used in the medical sector for solutions like managing patient records and tracking medical data. Agricultural businesses have employed FileMaker to streamline processes related to crop management and inventory tracking. Similarly, transport companies have utilized the platform for tasks like logistics planning and fleet management. Additionally, FileMaker Pro's flexibility has made it useful in designing questionnaires, developing web applications, and creating custom solutions tailored to meet specific requirements across various domains.

Furthermore, FileMaker Go mobile platform has enabled fast and cost-effective custom application development for iOS devices. It has allowed businesses like Merch Media to manage contact information efficiently while processing orders and managing detailed data. Peer Bearing Company has customized FileMaker Pro to fit their specific needs, making it their primary software solution. In the education sector, FileMaker Pro has facilitated staff management, activity tracking logs, billing processes assistance, student progress monitoring, homework logging, report card generation collaboratively.

The software's impact extends beyond individual company functions as well. For instance, it has played a role in event planning by assisting with tasks like food and beverage tracking or organizing catalogs and libraries. Studios have relied on FileMaker Pro for production staff to search inventories and generate layouts. It has also been used as a replacement for Microsoft Access databases, providing improved reliability and multi-user access.

Overall, users have found that Claris FileMaker is an effective tool for solving various business problems, automating processes, and improving productivity across different industries. Its flexibility, adaptability to different platforms, and ability to streamline workflows have made it a valuable asset in managing data, creating custom solutions, and facilitating collaboration.

Seamless Integration: Several users have praised Claris FileMaker's ability to seamlessly integrate with other applications, specifically highlighting its commendable integration with the finance application MYOB. This integration feature has eliminated the need for manual data entry, saving time and improving accuracy in timekeeping processes.

Data Integrity and Confidentiality: Reviewers have expressed their satisfaction with Claris FileMaker's capability to maintain data integrity and confidentiality through its integration with MYOB. This aspect is highly valued as it ensures the security of sensitive financial information.

Improved Productivity: Many users have found that the integration between Claris FileMaker and MYOB has enhanced their overall productivity. The ability to integrate with other applications has significantly improved workflow by saving time and increasing efficiency. Users appreciate how easily Claris FileMaker integrates with MYOB for various business needs and requirements, showcasing its versatility and adaptability.

Confusing and Not User-Friendly UI: Several users have expressed dissatisfaction with the user interface of Claris FileMaker, describing it as confusing and not user-friendly. They have encountered difficulties in editing calculations and scripts, as well as creating print layouts compared to other software like Crystal Reports.

Lack of Essential Features: Reviewers have pointed out that Claris FileMaker lacks certain important features. These include a built-in version control mechanism, a centralized security module for multiple files, and a modular code structure. Developers find it challenging to work without these features, which impacts their productivity.

Limited Customization Options: Some users feel that FileMaker Pro is not customizable enough, particularly from the user side. They encounter difficulties in customizing the program's appearance and sending rich text emails. This limitation hinders their ability to tailor the software to their specific needs.

Users commonly recommend the following:

  1. Learn and explore: Users suggest learning what FileMaker is good at and how to get the best out of it. They recommend attending the DevCon conference to collaborate with other users and learn about the platform's features.

  2. Start small and customize: It is advised to begin with a small project to understand how FileMaker works and how easy it is to modify. Users suggest playing around and experimenting with FileMaker or hiring a certified developer for assistance. Updating to the latest release of FileMaker is also recommended.

  3. Consider customization and collaboration: Users highlight FileMaker's ability to connect to big data, design creatively, and build on a reliable data engine. They recommend hiring third-party developers for advanced customization. FileMaker is seen as a great platform for diverse mobile teams to build custom apps. Additionally, users highly recommend FileMaker for its seniority, usability, reliability, and the vast number of people available for collaboration.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 47)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
May 19, 2022

Can't go wrong with this one!

Crissy Loughridge | TrustRadius Reviewer
Crissy Loughridge
CFO
Watermark Management (Staffing & Recruiting, 1-10 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
I have set up Filemaker databases for many different businesses. Where it shines particularly well is when there are many aspects of a business and keeping track of all the people, resources and products is difficult. Filemaker make it easy to keep all the information in one place where reports can cover a broad variety of things or hone in on one specific area. I've used Filemaker for over 10 years and have run a business with entirely remote workers utilizing Filemaker Server. There are endless add-on products but we have used the mapping program, texting, and calendar. All have been excellent products and highlight the ability of Filemaker to adapt to whatever your specific industry is.
January 06, 2022

It is very useful, smart to use, and saves time

ahmed baidak | TrustRadius Reviewer
ahmed baidak
dispatcher
Octopus (Computer Networking, 1001-5000 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Recommend
It is perfectly suitable for many different projects, making it easier for developers to track customers, help them in the best way, and provide a database to provide better service
otherwise Not very suitable for large projects that need a lot of complex systems that are important to have available, but it is rather useful
August 16, 2021

Can't beat this amazing platform!

Verified User
Vice-President in Marketing
Motion Pictures & Film Company, 51-200 employees
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Claris as an open platform offers so many options for rich database development to accomplish any task within almost any business application you could throw at it. I cannot think of a scenario where the options Claris affords couldn't suite
May 09, 2021

Obsolete and impossible to integrate or migrate.

Verified User
Team Lead in Information Technology
Consumer Services Company, 501-1000 employees
Score 1 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
May 03, 2021

Database Management Doesn't Have to be a Pain

Kelly Turner | TrustRadius Reviewer
Kelly Turner
Project Manager
ProBenefits, Inc. (Hospital & Health Care, 11-50 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
I think FileMaker [Pro] is a great solution for a small business wanting to take the next step from managing data with Excel spreadsheets to actually using a database. It is very intuitive to use and manage. A tech-savvy user can learn to use FileMaker [Pro] very easily without advanced skills as a developer.
April 27, 2020

When You Want Your Software to Fit the Business Instead of Forcing Your Business to Fit the Software

MM
Mike Memme
Operation Manager
Mountainview Homes (Construction, 51-200 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
In our situation it is well suited to our organization because one of the owners of the construction company has some programming experience and was able to use FileMaker to make all of the existing systems in the organization electronic. It has been a work in progress and the system has grown with the organization. When we want to shift to meet new market needs or changing government regulations we can move quickly to adjust our electronic processes.

It is well suited to teams or organizations that do things differently than their competitors and want their electronic systems to be reflection of who they are instead of using a canned system that forces them to work the same way everyone else does.

It is not well suited to teams where there is high turnover of employees and managers as custom systems may never get a foothold or be maintained in that environment.
February 29, 2020

Gets the job done but has some issues

Verified User
Administrator in Human Resources
Education Management Company, 51-200 employees
Score 5 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
This program is well suited for companies or individuals who are looking to hold a bunch of data in one place and need to keep it organized. I'd say it is most appropriate for larger organizations but could be useful anywhere there is a Human Resources Department, especially. Overall, it is useful but frustrating at times.
October 18, 2019

FileMaker Pro works well for complicated databases

David Renberg | TrustRadius Reviewer
David Renberg
Broker/Owner
Foundation Realty (Real Estate, 1-10 employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is suited well to help organize lots of data in the same place. Not worth the cost of implementation if a basic spreadsheet works for your purposes, but if you have lots of data associated with each entry, it works well. QuickBase is an excellent alternative and is internet-based, but not quite as customizable.
April 30, 2019

Filemaker Pro for all Business Needs

Verified User
Administrative Assistant in Engineering
Maritime Company, 51-200 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
From what I can tell Filemaker Pro is very versatile. The best function is the ability of mass data collection. This tool makes it easy to collect data and organize it effectively for better use. Another pro is that you can use third-party programs and combine them with Filemaker to get better functionality.
December 19, 2018

FileMaker Pro At Work

Verified User
Director in Information Technology
Non-Profit Organization Management Company, 11-50 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
FMP is well suited to organizations that need a tightly integrated system that delivers interfaces targeted at specific job roles.
FMP is not suited for quick, on-time solutions. This may be better suited to another app such as excel.
December 18, 2018

FileMaker keeps your event files organized

Lynelle Ehart | TrustRadius Reviewer
Lynelle Ehart
Executive Assistant
Lakeside School (Education Management, 201-500 employees)
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It is very well-suited for events and meetings using one or two rooms.

It works well if there aren't tons of instructions. I say this because their field for this is a bit short and we sometimes run out of room when detailing our needs.
August 24, 2018

FileMaker Pro - exactly what you want, when you want, and how you want it.

Verified User
Director in Other
Marketing and Advertising Company, 11-50 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
FileMaker Pro works well for companies with large amounts of data. It's fully customizable so you can get exactly what you want and how you want it (which a few restrictions.) It is costly, but overall it's worth the investment.

Filemaker Pro would likely not well with companies who are more creative and fewer data heavy. There is little room for creative ideas, it is more...numbers/by the book focused.
July 23, 2018

Filemaker to save the day!

Verified User
Employee in Information Technology
Newspapers Company, 201-500 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
Despite limitations, Filemaker Pro is perfect for a company which is in constant flux and which requires a custom work flow which an out of the box solution doesn't provide.

One example is that my company requires orders to be submitted where based on product type, purchase location and company category all impact the price that is charged. I've used several e-store solutions and most of these are very cut and dry. You can have a product with 1 price, the only exception is a coupon code. Filemaker allowed us to create an store that allows our users to create an order based on our crazy pricing structure.













May 21, 2018

FileMaker Finesse

Tessa Peterson | TrustRadius Reviewer
Tessa Peterson
Staff Accountant
The Tile Shop (Wholesale, 11-50 employees)
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
If you have salaried salespeople it's easy to teach them to create quotes and invoices. If they can do that, they can also learn to create purchase orders so cross training is very easy. It is less appropriate to use to reconcile the every changing bank balance of a business. We always do that outside of FileMaker.
April 04, 2018

Implementing FileMaker as a real-time inventory database solution

Verified User
Analyst in Research & Development
Biotechnology Company, 11-50 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
The communication between records and customizable information linked to multiple sources provides an infinite number of possibilities when tracking complex inventory items. If you like or need to see a lot of information about your inventory item, FileMaker is a powerful tool to organize and track your data. Essentially our entire business is linked to the FileMaker database in one way or another. If you do not have large amounts of information pertaining to your inventory items, then you might be able to get away with an Excel database that utilizes macros as it is far easier to perform the backend programming compared to FileMaker.
November 13, 2017

FileMaker Pro: Good but....

Sam Goodwin | TrustRadius Reviewer
Sam Goodwin
President of HOCOA San Diego
Home Repair Network San Diego by HOCOA (Consumer Services, 1-10 employees)
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
It was difficult to navigate at first, however after time it became easier. The version I used did not have a cloud base application, this was a major downfall for us. It was very versatile in creating queries, and manipulating mail merge features. Being able to group data was very easy.
November 09, 2017

FileMaker -- A Low Code and Flexible Database Solution!

Verified User
Consultant in Other
Information Technology and Services Company, 1-10 employees
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Likelihood to Recommend
If your organization requires a low-code and flexible database solution, FileMaker Pro will work great. We were successful in implementing the system because many of the manual processes of the company are now automated through the script builder. However if your organization has very complex queries and/or very complex needs, you should look elsewhere as FileMaker limits you to the tools they give.
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