'Filemaker Go' Released for iPhone and iPad

$20/$40 bucks?

Apple should let us sell gift these Apps if we move off the platform.

Agreed... I think the prices are too steep compared to other apps that do even more.

Agreed... I think the prices are too steep compared to other apps that do even more.

For example Bento, which is about 8 times cheaper but appears to do more than this app. I suppose it does makes sense, given where the two apps are positioned (and also because Bento is really just another part of the iPad showcase), but it does seem steep.

Does FileMaker get much use? Are there any consultants around here who use it as part of their toolkit? I've only seen it in use twice -- once as a warehouse management tool at a (now defunct) company in the 90's, and recently as a scheduling tool for a large NGO (it got in through the back door, and I actually wrote a bespoke system to replace it).

EDIT: I've not actually used Bento on iPad. I just went to take a look and wow, the reviews are negative. Is it really that bad?

EDIT: I've not actually used Bento on iPad. I just went to take a look and wow, the reviews are negative. Is it really that bad?

Bento for iPhone has a near 4 star review.

Surely, their's room for improvement, but for $4.95, it seems worthwhile.

For example Bento, which is about 8 times cheaper but appears to do more than this app. I suppose it does makes sense, given where the two apps are positioned (and also because Bento is really just another part of the iPad showcase), but it does seem steep.

Er.... Bento is a cut down version of Filemaker written by Filemaker!!!

If you're a home user and need a low end product with a cheap mobile version then use Bento.

Filemaker is a business product, and $20/$40 for the mobile version is NOTHING. Folks complaining about the price just don't need this sort of app.

For example Bento, which is about 8 times cheaper but appears to do more than this app. I suppose it does makes sense, given where the two apps are positioned (and also because Bento is really just another part of the iPad showcase), but it does seem steep.

Does FileMaker get much use? Are there any consultants around here who use it as part of their toolkit? I've only seen it in use twice -- once as a warehouse management tool at a (now defunct) company in the 90's, and recently as a scheduling tool for a large NGO (it got in through the back door, and I actually wrote a bespoke system to replace it).

Hi Adrian

Are you aware of what FileMaker is and what it does or do you only know it from hearsay so far? It's basically a database system, similar to Microsoft Access for example. So, in itself it's actually not supposed to do much. Users or consultants will develop a solution based on it, which then will do something.

So to speak, it is actually a framework for bespoke systems.

ummm, not to sound rude but i don't think you guys have a clue what Filemaker Pro is or does. Bento has no where near the power of Filemaker Pro.

secondly, this app IS NOT a stand alone app. it brings additional features and capabilities to the desktop client Filemaker Pro. why is it not "stand alone"? well, the easy answer is that it REQUIRES you own one of the Filemaker Pro products to design/build your databases in first.

thirdly, yes FMP is in use all around the world. just because you have't seen it doesn't mean it isn't being used. it has the industry's largest market share of desktop database solutions, compared to things like MS Access, etc.

unlike Bento, FMP is a Relational Database, supports scripting, linking to external data sources, the whole 9 yards.

FMP goes for $250+ up to $2000 depending on what you buy. $20 for a mobile interface to your database files is nothing, and worth every penny.

Very nice!

I've never used filemaker before, but once I saw this article I read up on it. I see the benefits of this right away.

Useage senerio:

Let's say I have a online database for a company. This database has a mysql/mssql backend. My roadworrior salesmen have to logon. To this site to input sales, create invoices and such. I'm a small company so I do t have the resources to hire someone to create a iPhone app, or redesign the custom built webapp.

With filemaker pro/server, I can use my existing database as a datasource for creating a filemaker application with forms, that functions the same as the web quicker then I could add mobile function to my site. Then the roadworriors can use this database on their phone/iPad, and it syncs WIRELESSly to filemaker pro/server which int urn syncs live to the website.

Can we say this is probably an easier solution for a company then say hiriing a team of app developers, or website developer to create mobile app/website.

Can we say this is probably an easier solution for a company then say hiriing a team of app developers, or website developer to create mobile app/website.

Whether it's easier depends on your ability to do the development on Filemaker. Of course, there's a 'middle road' which is to hire a Filemaker developer to do the configuration.

Hiring a team of developers to do a bespoke web system would cost a lot more than an order of magnitude more. I used to manage work like that, and you could burn through tens of thousands of dollars a week easily!

ummm, not to sound rude but i don't think you guys have a clue what Filemaker Pro is or does. Bento has no where near the power of Filemaker Pro.

secondly, this app IS NOT a stand alone app. it brings additional features and capabilities to the desktop client Filemaker Pro. why is it not "stand alone"? well, the easy answer is that it REQUIRES you own one of the Filemaker Pro products to design/build your databases in first.

thirdly, yes FMP is in use all around the world. just because you have't seen it doesn't mean it isn't being used. it has the industry's largest market share of desktop database solutions, compared to things like MS Access, etc.

unlike Bento, FMP is a Relational Database, supports scripting, linking to external data sources, the whole 9 yards.

FMP goes for $250+ up to $2000 depending on what you buy. $20 for a mobile interface to your database files is nothing, and worth every penny.

I see a slew of ready made database 'apps' made by seasoned FMPro developers hitting the apps store soon! This is exciting.