Is FileMaker what I want?

[torifile]

I'm new to FM but not new to databasing. I've got experience designing and programming PHP/mySQL databases, so I'm pretty decent at coding. I don't love it but I can do it.

I'm currently working on a database for my clinic so that we can track patients. It's pretty basic stuff, thus far. Just contact info, dosing information, schedules. The reason I'm using FM instead of mySQL is that it's a pretty elegant solution for designing a UI to the database. I like how easy it is to use. My question is this: What do I need to get this sort of system up and running. Currently, I'm just using the demo version of FM7.

In terms of deployment, I'm going to have several different people (not more than 10) updating the database with information. Do I need FM Server for this? If so, that seems to be a very pricey solution. Can I use FM7 with the web sharing? Do I need FM Dev? Lots of questions. I hope I made myself clear.

TIA.

[H.P.]

If more than 5 ppl need to access the DB @ the same time then you need the Server edition. FM7 web sharing is limited to 5 ppl too and it is very limited in functionality also. And no, you don't need FM Dev.

I think it is much cheaper to go with a web solution using PHP & MySQL.

[torifile]

That's too bad. I was really enjoying using FM. If I were to get FM Dev and distribute the runtimes, would that work? The database will be on a shared drive that everyone who can update the DB will have access to. If they have the runtimes, would this work? My major concern is DB corruption in this case. Any other alternatives?

(I COULD do a web-based solution but my coding brain is tired. )

[H.P.]

If yout put on a shared drive, your db will corrupt sooner or later

If you want to run mutli-user runtimes, each user will need to have fm 7 installed with FM 7 server so there's really no point of using FM 7 developer. If the company you are developing for has $, then ask them to spend it $1,000 for the server and volume licenses will be much cheaper also. I think they are willing to spend that $ if you can make the case well (like develop a small prototype to lets them see how beautiful FM 7 is )

Alternative would be FM 6 with fx.php

Btw, if you have developed with PHP & MySQL before, you would have a PHP library that you can re-use for the new project. It wouldn't take that long to develop a new solution based on what you have done before, is it?

[torifile]

For FM Server, do I have to buy a license for FM7 for each machine? If not, that makes it slightly more affordable. If so, I'll have a hard time justifying the purchase, particularly since I can do whip up a php/mysql solution relatively quickly.

You might be wondering what FM7 offers me over php/mysql... The most important thing is the ease of use of it. It's fast and easy. PHP/mysql... well, it's finicky. And I'd rather not have to do a web-based form, personally. Also, generating print friendly templates for various purposes is too easy. And FM Mobile will be a boon to our participant coordinator. I just don't know if I can justify it.... I'm convinced but I need to know exactly what I'll need to get this implemented.

If I were to get FM Server, would I also need to buy licenses for each machine (I know I already asked that but just in case it got lost in my rambling above )

[Vaughan]

It's client/server: the files are hosted in FMS (server) and guests access them through FMP (client). So yes, each user needs a copy of FMP.

FMI often sells bundles, say 1 license FMP and 5 licenses of FMP at a reasonable price.

Remember, this IT stuff is expensive... but FMP is orders of magnitude cheaper than any SQL environment in terms of licensing and development costs. Even if you use MySQL (free) you still need some sort of interface development environment.

[torifile]

I know this IT stuff is expensive. I'm just used to open source so I'm cheap. The way I'm looking at it is this (and I could be wrong):

$1000 for a server

$799 for FM Server (ed pricing)

$149/client * 10 clients: $1490

That's about $3300. In the grand scheme of the grant budget we've got, it's not much, but it's still a lot of dinero for a new system that I'm not even sure I could implement effectively. I'm reading all I can about FM and trying to learn as quickly as possible but I'm not used to asking for such large sums of money. I'd be the only "IT" person on this project and I know I can come up with a workable php/mysql solution. It wouldn't be nearly as powerful without a whole lot of grunt work, though. Bleh. Maybe I should try to find an old copy of FM Server for cheap and take advantage of the great upgrade pricing before it runs out.... Anyone know where I could pick up a copy of FM Server 2 or something. (I'm only sort of joking....)

[Vaughan]

There may be some FMS 5.5 and FMP 6.0 licenses as people upgrade to FM 7.

But hey, $3,300 for software licenses... compared with the development costs it's peanuts.

Don't you need to buy a license for MySQL for commercial use?

[torifile]

There may be some FMS 5.5 and FMP 6.0 licenses as people upgrade to FM 7.

But hey, $3,300 for software licenses... compared with the development costs it's peanuts.

Don't you need to buy a license for MySQL for commercial use?

I would need to buy a license if it were commercial, yes. But it's non-profit, so it's still free. I'm going to go in today and make a pitch for FM. Wish me luck.

[hayesk]

I think FM is what you want. Sure, the coding is easy and free in PHP/SQL, but they'll want to print forms, labels, change the interface, etc. - FM will be much easier and quicker for that. The money spent up front on FM will be made up because it won't take you as long.

[torifile]

Ok, I've pitched the idea to my boss and he didn't balk as much as I thought he would. That's good news. I've got one last question about FM:

Do I need FM Server? Someone earlier noted that if I use a shared drive to hold my database, I'll get corruption eventually. Can someone clarify on that? Specifically what I'm thinking is that I just put the FM database on the shared drive and buy client copies of FM for those who need it. What does FM Server "get" me? TIA.

[H.P.]

If only one person access the file at one time, then yes, you can put on the shared drive. However, if there's a chance 2 or more persons access the file on the shared drive at the same time, you will almost definitely corrupt the file sooner or later. FM Server allows you to share with more than 5 people at the same time on the network... that's one of the reasons why there's FM Server version.

A few clicks on Filemaker.com will get you full information of what FM Server does.... go do your homework!

[torifile]

If only one person access the file at one time, then yes, you can put on the shared drive. However, if there's a chance 2 or more persons access the file on the shared drive at the same time, you will almost definitely corrupt the file sooner or later. FM Server allows you to share with more than 5 people at the same time on the network... that's one of the reasons why there's FM Server version.

A few clicks on Filemaker.com will get you full information of what FM Server does.... go do your homework!

Thanks for that. I know what server software in general does, it just wasn't clear to me how using FM clients to access a shared file would cause problems. Ok, time to make one more push to get this thing funded. Wish me luck.

[Deep Thought II]

er, to me FileMaker is just trying to make more money with version 7. coz in version 6 unlimited u can have infinite clients for web sharing... that's a big change in version 7 that requires one to buy server advanced... otherwise it's limited to five users simultaneously.

[H.P.]

If you don't mind version 6, you can purchase filemaker 6 unlimited edition... it is much cheaper comparing to 7.

[torifile]

If you don't mind version 6, you can purchase filemaker 6 unlimited edition... it is much cheaper comparing to 7.

The edu price for FM Server 7 is $499. The edu price for 6 is $799. I think I'll stick with 7.

[DanBrill]

From what I read on the FM website, FM6 unlimited will be discontinued on on Sept. 17th of not already. You might be able to find the software floating around out there, but FM won't be supporting it in the very near future. They'll push you to upgrade to FM7 Server Advanced.

By the way, does this have a release date yet?

[H.P.]

7 is a good idea since it's much better in functionality than 6.

However, with 6, you only need to pay once for unlimited version and you don't need to pay for any clients version. With Server 7, you will need to purchase the client FM 7 as well

[DanBrill]

You still need to pay for the clients if you want them to have direct access to the host in the FM environment. If you develop it as a web application and users tap in with a browser via an intranet, then you don't need the FM6 licenses. But how is this different than FM7?

[Vaughan]

Never, ever put a FMP file on a shared drive even if it is single user. One network-fart and the whole file is toast.

Backups are always good to have too.

[Vaughan]

To get a robust, reliably backed-up web solution in FMP 6 you need two boxes, one running FMS hosting the databases and backing them up, the other running FMP Unlimited sharing them on the web.

With FM 7 you just need the one box running FMSA.

[DanBrill]

Vaughn, any word on a release date for FMSA? Is FMSA scalable? That is, can you get more than 100 web connections by buying more licenses?

Thanks,

Dan