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.
Can't go wrong with this one!
It is very useful, smart to use, and saves time
The Problem Solvers Problem Solver
Can't beat this amazing platform!
Obsolete and impossible to integrate or migrate.
Database Management Doesn't Have to be a Pain
When You Want Your Software to Fit the Business Instead of Forcing Your Business to Fit the Software
Gets the job done but has some issues
FileMaker Pro works well for complicated databases
All in One
FileMaker Pro
Filemaker Pro for all Business Needs
FileMaker Pro At Work
FileMaker keeps your event files organized
FileMaker Pro Library Software Review
Pricing
Platform Subscription
$21
Individual desktop license
$594
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Starting price (does not include set up fee)
- $21 per month per user
Product Demos
FileMaker/HTML5/JavaScript GPS Map Demo (iPad)
Text Parsing in FileMaker : Live Demo - Example 1
FileMaker Pro 11 Course for Beginner
Product Details
- About
- Competitors
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is Claris FileMaker?
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
Claris FileMaker Competitors
Claris FileMaker Technical Details
Deployment Types | On-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
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Operating Systems | Windows, Mac |
Mobile Application | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Comparisons
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Reviews and Ratings
(169)Community Insights
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
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:
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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.
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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.
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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
(1-4 of 4)When You Want Your Software to Fit the Business Instead of Forcing Your Business to Fit the Software
- Highly customizable. The software is easy to set up to match our existing processes.
- Fast customization. New features can be added quickly and easily.
- Open standards. Easy to get info from and push info to the outside world.
- Have had challenges feeding data to a php website. Are moving to the new Restful API for this.
- Would like to be able to send rich text emails. Can now do it with CURL commands but not the easiest.
- Has very detailed layout editing tools, but built in themes with more auto layout functionality would be helpful.
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.
- Our unique approach to residential construction has made us the clear leaders in our marketplace.
- We get the best trade partners to work with because we're the most organized. Our trades want us to sell our custom FileMaker solution to our competitors.
- Our budgeting is real time and agile so we're always on top of our costs.
- We only enter information once and are able to share it in real time with everyone inside and outside of our corporation.
Gets the job done but has some issues
- This program is able to store a large amount of information that is easily accessible.
- This program can run a variety of reports that can be helpful with my everyday tasks and projects.
- This program has very easy search functions.
- This program can be difficult if you have an environment that is distracting because it does confirm changes. They are automatically saved.
- This program can be frustrating when entering data in multiple fields because the tab button does not send you to the next field, it jumps around.
- It has allowed us to integrate multiple forms of data in one platform for different departments.
- Allows us to track things like training and education.
FileMaker Pro works well for complicated databases
- It is extremely versatile, if you are, or have a good programmer, it can be used for many purposes to organize data.
- It seems to not take a ton of RAM to run, my computer has no issues running it.
- Although the file can be stored in a cloud, I like that it is a locally run program, regardless of internet access.
- It is very technical, you have to really know what you are doing to come up with the initial use.
- Helped with goal tracking.
- Making my data quickly accessible in a digested and visual form.
- It does require ongoing maintenance.
- FileMaker deploys to all mainstream internet connected devices very easily with a drag and drop interface builder that requires no coding for simple systems (PC, MAC, Mobile phone).
- FileMaker is great for sharing information in teams.
- FileMaker is simple enough that regular users (e.g. mechanics) can create their own simple databases if you let them!
- FileMaker Server is suitable for hundreds of concurrent users at a time with a *well developed* system but not thousands. In general FileMaker is good for small to medium businesses, teams, or for rapid prototyping large scale complex applications.
- FileMaker has a good suite of basic graphical charts but for more complicated "B.I." style dashboards, it is good to integrate your FileMaker data with another system which is easy to do.
- Jumping up from Microsoft Excel or (gasp) no system at all will see a great saving in management time and a huge ROI because of this. All the standard 'good system' benefits apply here - increased efficiency (e.g. less phone calls per job due to better information), reduced errors, greater productivity (more jobs done due to less administration/waste time), Improved staff morale due to a better system and improved customer satisfaction due to less 'running around' etc.
- Moving across from systems that are hard to deploy remotely or share such as Microsoft Access will see positive ROI due to increased visibility of information to remote workers.
- Microsoft Access and MYOB
- MYOB has great accounting features but doesn't have the customisability or features to create the business management system that will do what you want it to do. Using a FileMaker Pro solution for business management and MYOB/XERO for the accounting is a great combination.
- Microsoft Access is locked to the PC world and is hard to deploy elsewhere, I suggest if you have an Access solution to migrate that to FileMaker Pro which for smaller systems is easy to do.
- SQL back-end style systems with .net / Java etc. front ends are great if you need 10's of thousands of concurrent users at a time but the development costs of systems like this are very very high compared to a RAD like FileMaker. If you have a small to medium business or team then use a RAD (rapid application development) system like FileMaker.