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.
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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
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
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.
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.