FileMaker Pro 13 Launches with Web Access, Enhanced Tools for IOS

Following a brief premature appearance in Apple's online store over the weekend, FileMaker Pro 13 officially launches today with a number of enhancements including a new FileMaker WebDirect feature that offers access to databases through the Web. Other features include enhanced tools for iOS, new design options, and improved security.

filemaker_pro_13_projects

FileMaker 13 includes more than 50 new features. Chief among them are:

- FileMaker WebDirect, an entirely new, HTML5 browser-based technology that allows teams to create and deploy desktop-style solutions in a web browser with no programming skills required.

- Tools to create amazing iPad and iPhone solutions that support even more iOS behaviors, including slide controls, popovers and the ability to scan records using gestures. iPad and iPhone layouts can now be created in one step; and iOS solutions can include single-click capture of bar codes using on-device cameras and custom keyboards that speed data entry.

- Major improvements to design capabilities, including support for shareable custom themes and styles, and the ability to drag and drop data fields onto design layouts.

- More robust security, with AES 256-bit encryption that locks down data no matter where it lives – on iPad, iPhone, desktop or server. FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced is used to enable encryption.

- Dozens of new enhancements for solution developers, from the ability to hide or display objects on a screen based on business logic to easier integration with web applications.

- Simplified server administration, including an entirely new HTML5 administrative console in FileMaker Server 13 for managing business solutions from anywhere.

FileMaker Pro 13 is available through traditional licensing methods starting at $329 new or $179 upgrade, while volume licensing is available starting as $9/month for FileMaker Pro, $15/month for FileMaker Pro Advanced, and $29/month for FileMaker Server.

FileMaker Go 13 is a free universal app for iPhone and iPad available in the App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

HenryDJP Avatar
134 months ago
Too expensive.

Too expensive for who? You? It's database software for business use. Any real business wouldn't even blink an eye at $300 software that's going to help keep their business organized. Or were you getting this software confused with Pages??:p
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafagon Avatar
134 months ago
I hate it when a supposedly trustworthy site like macrumors.com spells "iOS" "IOS"
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
osx11 Avatar
134 months ago
Cool, I guess, for people who actually use this.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unplugme71 Avatar
134 months ago
... Why so? What kind of stuff can a normal consumer do with it?

Consumers won't use this. Most of what consumers would want out of something like this they can get in Numbers or Excel.

This is for business use or for power users who need more functionality.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RedBear Avatar
134 months ago
That sounds awful. Do you have an URL?

The thing is that I am currently connected to my FM12 server with Filemaker Go 13. And I haven't paid a dime for FM Go.

You are sure about this?

The free FM Go for iOS is a killer, so I'm worried... :confused:

FileMaker Go is still free, but they've got some new BS licensing scheme that talks about "concurrent connections" to FileMaker Server. Each "concurrent connection" from the web or FileMaker Go to FM Server requires an additional license fee. This apparently means that in order to serve 50 FM Go users at the same time (i.e., "concurrently") it will cost $10,044, or $279/month billed annually to the tune of $3,348. The licensing PDF talks about an unrestricted connection option if you need more than 50 concurrent connections, but it isn't selectable in the store, so I have no idea what sort of exorbitant price they want for unlimited connections. I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted somewhere in the neighborhood of $12-$15,000 for unlimited connections.

I'm a big fan of what can be accomplished with the FileMaker platform, but with this new licensing scheme they seem to have officially lost their minds. I'm sure it's objectively justifiable to some businesses who have a clear idea what they can do with FileMaker, but many businesses are going to take one look at these idiotic license prices and terms and laugh their asses off, then turn around and invest in SQL Server or something else.

If you just recently purchased FileMaker Server Advanced 12, I'd say count yourself lucky. Apparently it will be the last version of FileMaker Server that will serve large numbers of FM Go and web users without bankrupting your company with extra license fees for each additional simultaneous user.

The biggest problem with FileMaker (the company) has always been that they drink their own kool-aid and seem to believe that they have a captive market and therefore can keep their prices high and make improvements at a glacial pace. I really can't understand their thinking with this new licensing scheme. This new WebDirect thing had better be amazing or there may be a lot of folks abandoning the FileMaker platform pretty soon.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacVista Avatar
134 months ago
Too expensive.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...