We use filemaker in our videostore, have FMPro Server 7 running on a dedicated MacMini, 3 files open, accessed by a maximum of 5 computers (usually 2). The database was created about 5 or 6 years ago and it serves its purpose, but unfortunately we're not exactly advanced with FMPro, so please bear with me...

Basically we have a "Members", a "Films" and a "Money" database, all film records have numbers which are entered into a Mask of the Members db when they are rented. On return, the fields (film number, date of rental and generated amount) are cleared and certain things are processed for payment and statistics. All relatively basic stuff, me thinks.

Yet the simple process of returning a film is slow, when you'd think that the basic tasks which are done buy the according scripts would allow it to be practically instantaneous.

I don't think the scripts are at fault; if they are executed on a locally opened file, they are fine, it's only over the server that they are slow.

Please, anyone have any ideas about this?

Are there summary fields calculating on the return layout that reference a large found set? Or aggregate related calculations. These things can often be slower over a network.

What kind of network are you on?

Make certain that the references are correct. If the files were taken from a previous version of FileMaker, its likely that they are setup in an inefficient manner (locally first).