FMP vs. Unlimited

[ddreese]

This has probably been discussed many times before, but I searched and couldn't find any information. What are the pros/cons of using FMP over FMP-unlimited and vise versa.

We'd save quite a bit of money using unlimited because there would be no per-seat cost involved. What I'm not sure of is if we can use all the nice features of FMP through a browser-front end. I wasn't sure how portals would work through a web-browser, etc. Is there anything I'm going to have difficulty implementing if I were to use Unlimited instead of FMP?

I will have probably anywhere from 20-100 concurrent users at a time in a Windows 2000(Server) enviornment. It would seem to me Unlimited may be faster, but I'm not sure. I looked at a comparison between the two on Filemaker's website, but I'd prefer hearing it from people who may have used both. Any input would be appreciated.

[LiveOak]

FileMaker and FileMaker Unlimited are really identical, except that FM only allows access by 10 IP addresses in a 12 hour period (I always get this wrong, I think it is 12 hours).

Your real question is what are the differences between FM to FM access and browser to FM access. These differences are significant. FM to FM access is session based. The FM host know who each user is and maintains a found set, current record, and a set of globals and status for each user. Web browser access is transaction based. Each transaction must stand on it's own. Any saving of status must be implemented manually by the programmer. All web users look like one single user to FM.

If you are accostomed to very rich FM layout features, these will be much, much harder to implement via a web interface. Just think of the most elaborate shopping cart interface you have ever seen on the web, not very complicated when compared to what can be done with FM to FM access.

If your files are very complicated, it may very well be cheaper to buy the FM site license than to pay the additional development costs, schedule, additional computers and loss of productivity of the web interface. Also, FM will not be available for local use by each of the clients. Don't ignore the productivity gain of those individuals who choose to use FM for their own files. If your files are very basic, the web interface may be the way to go.

You may want to narrow down the range of users you will have. If it is really 20, I wouldn't even consider the web interface. If it is really 100 (today, not some vague future need), the web interface makes more sense (given a low complexity of interface).

For example, the web interface may be fine for a common rolodex deployment. For a complex order/invoice/inventory system, I'd forget the browser interface.

-bd

[ddreese]

Thank you very much for your reply, it answered a lot of my questions. The database system I am designing is a clinical database to track clients (I work for a mental-health agency), their contact with our agency, and many many other things that will be implimented later that I'm not even aware of yet. My organization is always faced with doing multiple reports to both state and federal governments to track and allocate our spending.

Right now we use many different systems to track the different kinds of clients we have. We have Children and Youth, Mental Health, and Mental Retardation agency's all under one roof. Usually counties have seperate agencies (read: MIS departments) to deal with only ONE type of report for state/federal. We have to worry about ALL the different reports, over our seperate data systems. Huge pain.

Anyway, ultimately there may be upwards of 40, 50, 60 people using this program at a given time, but I don't think from the information you gave me, the Filemaker Unlimited would allow me to do things as easily. Again, I appreciate you're timely, honest responce.

Does anyone know where I can buy cheap licenses? We're a verified non-profit, $150 a seat for FMP is still a bit high when we have 150-200 PCs in the company.

[LiveOak]

You might check with FileMaker Inc. about what kind of deal they would cut you on site licenses. The printing of reports is another argument in favor of a FM to FM system. We all know how accurate browser printing of web pages can be!

It sounds like your choices are all FM or part FM and part browser access. The second would require a dual design for data entry. This all should be considered in the initial planning and not added on. You will absolutely need FM Server version for hosting with over about 10 FM to FM clients. Web access would require a minimum of two machines (maybe more depending upon the load). One machine is needed to run FM Server and one or more each with a copy of FM Unlimited. Every additional copy of FM Unlimited is about $1,000, so there is some financial trade-off between web and direct access.

-bd