Blogs

The Beginning

Scripts that run on the opening of a FileMaker file allow you to accomplish so many different tasks. Open scripts can initialize global fields, setup variables, determine which layout to display based on security or platform, perform sub-scripts, install menu sets and so much more. This article will cover some of the most important uses of Open scripts but each FileMaker solution will likely have unique open script steps. View the full article

February 5, 2019

The Beginning

February 5, 2019

Server Restored Contexts

Prior to FileMaker 13 we never even had the option of performing scripted tasks where the data actually exists. The processing of a script, client side, always had, and still does, make a full round trip for all kinds of these processing activities. Many times, FileMaker does it's best to optimize whatever is being done, but it's still not as fast as executing certain things directly on the server. With the addition of Perform Script on Server we gained a REALLY BIG performance boost by being a

February 5, 2019

Otto v1.6.1 Released

We are releasing a major upgrade to Otto, our powerful Data Migration and Developer Operations tool. Otto automates the complex and error-prone process of migrating and upgrading FileMaker solutions, making it a key component of your Workplace Innovation Platform. The post Otto v1.6.1 Released appeared first on Geist Interactive. View the full article

February 4, 2019

To Be … Or Not to Be – A FileMaker Certified Developer

To Be … Or Not to Be – A FileMaker Certified Developer Should You Hire Only FileMaker Certified Developers? How Do Developers Earn Certification and What Does it Mean? We asked a bunch of developers about the certification process and its impact on their work. As a consumer, you want to know what you’re paying for when you hire a developer with the FileMaker Inc. seal of approval. How do developers get certified — and what, eXactly, does it mean? “I do think the certificate process

January 31, 2019

FIleMaker Script Steps Reference: Worth the look

The Script Step reference pages in FileMaker's help is a useful source for all developers, new and experienced alike. It's worth our look once in awhile. There's a lot to learn and to be reminded of on each page. The post FIleMaker Script Steps Reference: Worth the look appeared first on Geist Interactive. View the full article

January 31, 2019

FileMaker Help Functions: Always more to learn

The FileMaker help functions pages are a worthy set of documents to review many times in a developer's career. There's a lot of information about each function. Here we take a look at the pages and see how their set up. The post FileMaker Help Functions: Always more to learn appeared first on Geist Interactive. View the full article

January 30, 2019

Geist Interactive Hosts Local CIO/CTO Focus

Geist Interactive is sponsoring the CIO/CTO Focus event series. The next event will be Feb 19, 2019, and will feature a discussion with leading Chief Information & Chief Technology Officers (CIO & CTOs) from the area. Todd Geist, CEO of Geist Interactive will be moderating the event. Register using the link below. The post Geist Interactive Hosts Local CIO/CTO Focus appeared first on Geist Interactive. View the full article

January 29, 2019

FileMaker Help: A Worthwhile Read

The FileMaker help guide is a useful set of documents, and we can use the context-sensitive help feature to get to the relevant help pages quickly. It is worth our time to review what is written. The post FileMaker Help: A Worthwhile Read appeared first on Geist Interactive. View the full article

January 29, 2019

Universal Tagging System

One of the most wonderful aspects of FileMaker, or any development project, is implementing a portion of the software which can be used system wide. Meaning you don't have to recreate functionality over and over again in order to benefit from what you implement initially. Especially when it can be used in all locations universally. In this video, I show you how to implement a Universal Tagging System in which you can apply tags to any other element you're managing within your database system. A

January 28, 2019

Out with the Old, In with the New — Updating PHP is Essential for You!

Out with the Old & In with the New, Updating PHP is Essential for You! Why PHP & WordPress Updates Should Top Your New Year’s “To Do” List By Michael Suhrbier, eXcelisys Web App Developer What is PHP? Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is an amazing and popular server-side programming language used in web development. How prominent is it? Well, it’s powerful enough to run the biggest blogging system on the web (WordPress) and the largest social network platform in the world (Facebook)!

January 24, 2019

Back and Forward

I've always been intrigued with how to mimic a web browser's back and forward buttons... as have many other developers. While I don't usually include them in a professional solution, I do find the exercise of creating an airtight historical navigation solution challenging. I prefer well designed navigation over history buttons. Therefore, I present this article as a brain teaser and not necessarily as a recommended solution. But, I'll let you make the decision. I'll go into why I don't think his

January 22, 2019

Back and Forward

January 22, 2019

Advanced JSON Script Parameters

While many FileMaker solutions will manage multiple parameter passing in very simple and straight-forward ways, there are some solutions which you know will grow over time. Because of this expected growth, you may want to have an additional level of comfort knowing you've implemented a very strict system for managing data transfer between scripts. You also may be interested in working with external APIs and connecting to systems and data which is provided via the currently popular format of JSO

January 18, 2019

FileMaker Hacks

Creating and Using Invisible Window IDs

Editor’s note: I first became aware of Paul Jansen when I licensed his FMTools in the late 1990s, and I finally had the pleasure of meeting him last June at dotFMP after 20 years of online and voice communication. It’s an honor and a privilege to welcome him to FileMaker Hacks as a guest author. […] View the full article

Kevin Frank

January 14, 2019

Holiday Light Maker Finds Peace on Earth with Sales Quoting & Fulfillment App

Holiday Light Maker Finds Peace on Earth with Sales Quoting & Fulfillment App FileMaker Platform Brings Bright Sparkle to Global Operations at Christmas Northeast / Nicolas Holiday Just as Santa relies on the elves to keep his North Pole toy shop churning, holiday light manufacturer Christmas Northeast / Nicolas Holiday depends on the FileMaker Platform to manage sales and distribution of its bulbous bling. As the sole manufacturer of all GE-branded holiday lighting products, the compa

January 11, 2019

Survival Guide (7 of 7): Find, Hire & Work with a Software Developer, Successfully!

Survival Guide (7 of 7): Find, Hire & Work with a Software Developer, Successfully! Bringing Your Vision to Life: Development, Testing & Deployment Development styles — What to eXpect Broadly speaking, there are three common approaches to development: agile, waterfall and prototyping. All are intended to get to the finished product in an efficient manner, but each takes a different approach. The agile development style practices discovery as development unfolds and requires

January 11, 2019

DB Services Blog

FileMaker Adobe InDesign Integration

FileMaker can easily integrate with Adobe InDesign and create powerful InDesign documents by generating XML out of FileMaker. With a bit of additional development, you can even automate the process of placing text and photos directly on the page for designs that rarely need adjustments. Save time and reduce human error by automating repetitive Adobe InDesign processes and eliminate double data entry. Read the full article: https://dbservices.com/blog/filemaker-adobe-indesign-integration

dbservices in FileMaker Integrations

January 9, 2019

Single Source of Truth

Having worked with FileMaker for well over 20+ years, and experiencing a wide variety of data models, it's always possible to get into a situation where you need to re-evaluate the data decisions you've made with regards to your structure. The data model you may have initially thought would handle all situations may need to be modified. Knowing about the multiple options you may have available for structuring your data makes a big difference when you start to consider simply "adding that new fi

January 8, 2019

Maybe You Missed These

It was almost two years ago that the Philosophy of FileMaker released it's first article. I write new articles almost every two weeks so there's a lot of information to filter at the Philosophy of FileMaker web site. That's why I thought it would be a good idea to talk about my favorite articles from the first year of blogging. You may have missed some of these articles and, if I list my favorites and why they're my favorites, maybe they'll answer long standing questions. View the full article

January 8, 2019