Runtime Open Remote

[merlyn383]

This is one of those things that seems so simple to me, that I must have it wrong.

I have a centralized network of databases hosted on a server using FMS 7 (not Advanced). I want to create runtime solutions that I can distrubute to users that would simply be an automated "Open Remote" to a specified, static network address. This would save me from having to distrubute FMP 7 copies to 50+ people who are never going to use them for anything except connecting to this database, thus saving me money and them the hassles of connection. Is this possible?

[Fenton]

No it's not possible, not since the FileMaker 3 SDK (which cost a fair amount of money, but which FileMaker discontinued, because it didn't cost enough :-]. You are basically trying to avoid paying for copies of FileMaker, by buying one copy of FileMaker Developer, for less than $500, and making 50 runtimes for free. FileMaker sees no reason to support this; why should they?

If these 50 people need full access to FileMaker functionality, all of it, at full speed, then buy them copies. You can certainly get a bulk discount. Give them each a FileMaker "Opener" file for ease of connection.

If they only need very light access, you could upgrade to Server Advanced and use Instant Web Publishing; which is miles ahead of version 6's, but still has a few bugs. Quite usable however, for light use. You would have to redo some of your layouts and navigation to accommodate its limitations.