Data Direct to FM from Web form: possible?

[Bob476]

I currently have web forms which feed data to a SQL database, then I have several tasks which must synch between SQL and my Filemaker front-end.

What I'm wondering is if I can cut out the SQL middleman altogether for some or all of these forms. Is there a way that filemaker can receive data direct from an HTML-based form on our site? Would the database need to be running in Pro or Server mode?

[cjaeger]

that's what filemaker web publishing is all about.

With filemaker 4, you can have unlimited requests form web forms. with filemaker 5, there is a limit of 10 ip addresses within a 12 hour period. Because People should buy filemaker unlimited. But for a single, simple form this would be overkill.

I am using filemaker 6 behind a firewall with a proxy, and the limit is gone.

A more sophistical approach would involve lasso ($$$) or phpfx (free) from www.iviking.org..

[Anatoli]

RE: I am using filemaker 6 behind a firewall with a proxy, and the limit is gone.

You are in breach of FileMaker Inc. license terms and contract. Even Lasso shouldn't be used without Unlimited version.

In another words -- you are using software without proper license. In some countries it is called software piracy.

[Bob476]

Thanks. I've looked at web publishing but I'm not sure it's what I need for this. If it's relevant, I should point out that I only want to *receive* data from a web form. I do not (at this time anyway) want to publish my database to the web.

I currentlly have forms sending data to SQL, but not sure how I could convert those forms to send direct to Filemaker.

[Anatoli]

You can do that in Custom Web Publishing. You need FM Pro Unlimited version and serve the form from that to web.

Or, if you will have up to 10 visitors in 12 hours, standard FM Client will do the same job.

HTH

[Bob476]

Hmm, okay. Assuming the hefty price prohibits switching titles and I'm looking for a solution within Filemaker Server and Pro 5.5, is this then not an option at all, or is it just more complex?

Purchasing Unlimited is not an attractive option at present.

[Anatoli]

You can start and develop with any client. Save your money, until everything works OK.

If everything works and you have more visitors than 10IP/12 hour, go for Unlimited.

That way you can master the CDML/HTML before spending money.

[Bob476]

So you're saying that's a no-go then? No way to acomplish these goals other than finding 7K to switch to Unlimited?

Right now, traffic would exceed the user-access limits.

[Anatoli]

You can go with version 4, which doesn't have any limits. But it is slower.

RE: finding 7K to switch to Unlimited

What currency is that 7K? We paid 40K for Unlimited

[Bob476]

That was the price from the filemaker site, I was pretty sure it was a multi-pack license.

[Anatoli]

That is something else. $999 is quite high street price for FM Unlimited, but not *that* high.

[BertBoye]

There is other way to do this without the need of Unlimited, CDML, LASSO etc.

This is how I did it and what is in use on many websites.

You probably have a form already so start by renaming all fields like;

*Firstname*

*Lastname*

etc.

Use ASPmail to send the information to you by mail.

Get a mail plug-in to Filemaker (mail.it2 or SMTPit) make up a db that is downloading your mail or use the ones that are supplied with the plug-in. Make one field in the db for each field you have on your web form, plus one called