FileMaker Pro 12 Adds New 'Starter Solutions' and Broadens iOS Integration

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Apple subsidiary FileMaker today announced the launch of its new lineup of FileMaker 12 database applications, launching new themes and "Starter Solutions" to help users get up and running, as well as significantly enhancing integration with iOS devices.

"Databases only boost productivity if people genuinely enjoy using them," said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker, Inc. "Everyone wants a great database, but not everyone is a great designer. Let FileMaker 12 handle the design and you’ll create dazzling databases that are incredibly easy to use, on iPad, iPhone, desktop and the web."

filemaker 12 screenshots
Among the key new features in FileMaker 12:

- Over 40 new themes specifically designed to translate among desktop, iPad, and iPhone. New tools help users customize the default themes to create their own unique database documents.

- Sixteen rebuilt Starter Solutions provide templates upon which users can build their databases depending on the type of data being stored. As with themes, the templates can be easily customized to suit users' needs.

- Enhanced container fields for storing files within databases, improving performance and ease of use.

- Quick Charts for streamlining the process of creating new charts based off of database entries.

- Significantly enhanced iOS compatibility with free new FileMaker Go apps for iPad [App Store] and iPhone [App Store]. The new apps are compatible only with Filemaker 12, and the company continues to offer the $39.99/$19.99 FileMaker Go 11 apps for use with earlier versions of the software.


Pricing for FileMaker 12 on the desktop remains the same as in the previous version, with FileMaker Pro 12 priced at $299 for new users and $179 for upgrade users and FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced checking in at $499 and $299 respectively. The basic FileMaker Server 12 is priced at $999/$599, while FileMaker Server 12 Advanced carries a price tag of $2,999/$1,799. All versions are available today.

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Top Rated Comments

charlieegan3 Avatar
charlieegan3
161 months ago
wish I got to use this instead of MS Access:mad:
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deannnnn Avatar
deannnnn
161 months ago
I generally dislike themes in creative applications like iMovie and Pages/Word because then everybody's supposedly creative movies and documents all end up looking exactly the same. In a database application, however, I think themes are great. Who cares if the databases across multiple organizations look the same if they're allowing for easier use for accessing the data you're trying to organize.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Macist Avatar
Macist
161 months ago
I've been a Filemaker fan for years and years. It's well thought out, powerful software that can cater to any number of needs. it's interesting that Apple allow the company to operate as a subsidury that simply gets on with giving users what they want and ask for.

Perhaps Apple should create a quasi independent business/professional division to assauge professionals' anxieties that Apple is now solely focused on the consumer.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pgyanke Avatar
pgyanke
161 months ago
Both have limitations

Looks cool but I wish they would improve Bento. I really like how Bento works - much, more approachable I find. But it's hampered by a lack of fairly basic, and in some cases transparent, features (like automatically updating cross referenced records). There's a huge gap between Bento and FileMaker.

I use Bento for basic CRM. It's barely functional for that... but it is functional. Its ace in the hole is the fact that it syncs with Address Book and other Apple applications... FMP does not! :eek: I tried FMP and ended up returning it before I had to keep it. The learning curve was too steep and I would have had to maintain multiple contact lists since it doesn't sync with Address Book.

This whole process annoys the hell out of me. FMP should be fully functional (at least be able to do everything Bento can do). Bento should have more functionality rather than artificially limiting it in annoying ways. THERE'S A HAPPY MEDIUM HERE, SOMEWHERE! :mad:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
the Otter Avatar
the Otter
161 months ago
Excel?

People I work with can do NOTHING without Excel. Its a running joke.

My question is: do I need File Maker?

I guess I wonder what a regular schmo like me would do with it to make life easier.

:confused:
Need? Probably not. But would it make your life easier? Most likely. Excel is not a database; it’s a spreadsheet. The fact that people try to use it as a database doesn’t make it so; it would probably make everyone’s life a lot easier to use something that’s designed for the task at hand.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jinnj Avatar
jinnj
161 months ago
If you are looking for a low end database then use sqlite. It's part of OS X and you can use LibreOffice, NeoOffice or OpenOffice to design a front end for it. The same database file can be used for web frontend as well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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