Implementing FileMaker as a real-time inventory database solution
April 04, 2018
Implementing FileMaker as a real-time inventory database solution
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with FileMaker Pro
FileMaker Pro is used across departments to manage a massive database that tracks our sellable products. Currently, we have approximately 20 users at any given time, all of whom can actively update the database as long as they are not updating the same record. The program manages a variety of information about the product, which is highly modifiable and easily updated via Excel imports or manually inside of the record. Customized exports are used to generate report outs and access real-time information regarding our available inventory.
- 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.
- Cross-platform consistency - the iPhone version is not nearly as functional as the desktop version, which could cause troubles if you want to update your inventory with a mobile device while actively performing a task. The layout is cluttered and inconsistent.
- The development of a functional database will require a highly skilled FileMaker programmer, or multiple people working to address specific requirements for the database. This could take months to construct and can be costly if you want to create a highly customizable database with the proper scripts.
- The Excel exports are rather simple and require re-working if you are trying to make anything visually appealing. I'm sure more backend programming could be performed to address this issue, but for the average user, the programming and links can be rather complex.
- Our FileMaker database has been so successful at organizing our products that we ended up hiring a full-time FileMaker expert on site.
- Since FileMaker has the ability to track a variety of inventory items, actually building and linking the infinite possibilities can prove costly and take a bit of time. If you decide to commit, I would highly recommend a third party consultant rather than trying to figure out the intricacies on your own.
- The scripting language in FileMaker allows for the program to link directly to other programs (ie Excel and JMP) at the click of a button. This saves a ton of time if you are constantly looking at real-time data in your metrics. The accuracy of data is directly impacted by the quality of input or imports you create, so make sure people are well trained on the importance of meticulously inputting any information into FileMaker.
Since we had implemented FileMaker Pro early on with the company, I have not used any other database software on a regular basis. Some others have used Zoho Creator with success, but since the cross-platform and program functionality of FileMaker is well established we have not looked into alternative programs for database management.