purchasing/licensing fm

[tawatana]

hi,

i'm a bit unsure whether this is the best forum for this question.

we have a single version of filemaker 5.5 and we would like to use it on some more computers.

we would like to have access to the filemaker databases on about 4 machines.

i don't really think we need fm server - can't really justify that sort of money, so i'm thinking we can just buy 4 versions of Filemaker Pro 6.

I saw something about a 5 license version - is that a good way to go?

We can get an educational price for our software, and i'm unsure whether we can get that with the 5 license version.

Also wondering what are the real differences between Filemaker Pro 6 and Filemaker Pro 6 Unlimited, we have fairly simple requirements so i don't think we have a strong need for the Unlimited version.

Thanks

Brian

[Chuck]

Unless you're planning on serving web pages with FileMaker using CDML or Instant Web Publishing, there's no need to get Unlimited. Even if you are serving a web site, unless it's going to get more than 10 users per 12 hour period, you can get by with Pro.

I don't know what the educational pricing for FileMaker is. I'm sure the information is on their web site somewhere. If getting a five license package will cost you less than it would have to get 4 individual licenses, or even if it's just a little more, it probably makes sense.

Keep in mind that even if you don't get FM Server, if all five users are going to be sharing access to the same files, one of the Pro versions is going to be acting as a server as well as the means for someone to access the data. In fact, if you have an extra computer that you can use, that extra copy can be used as the server copy with a bit better speed both for the server (assuming a fast enough machine) and the users, since none of the users will have to both use FileMaker and serve the files.

Chuck

[jasonwood]

I don't have a FileMaker supplier right now so I might not have the most current information, but as of about 4 months ago...

FileMaker licenses start at 10 seats. Although they seem to always have a "Special VLA Intro Pack" for a 5 user license plus FileMaker Server, for about the same price as buying 5 box sets... so it's like getting Server for free.

Education pricing is much lower, but I was under the impression that there was no "Special..." for education... ask your FileMaker dealer. If you want a second opinion, ask me in about a week when I get my FileMaker supplier set up (I'll know this stuff much better then!)