Can someone explain the point of FM server and Client installs? Currently we are just using a client install with all our files open and shared over the network. What is the advantage to using FM server?

Hi Crossett, and welcome to the Forum,

Your Profile shows version 4, is this the version you will be working with,

Or are you upgrading to a newer version of FileMaker?

How big is your network now?

Are you planning on increasing the number of users?

Lee

I believe your question is answered here:

"There are three key reasons: expanded availability, enhanced security and increased performance."

IMO the automated backup alone is worth it.

You can also share more files with more users than you can with peer-to-peer sharing. How many users do you have?

The plan is to upgrade to FM9

In the main office we have 10 computers, there is a satellite office with 5 computers, and anywhere from 12-15 people that connect to us from all over the place. It is probably not going to grow any larger than that.

You definitely need your database on FM Server. If by "from all over the place" you mean other locations other than the main or satellite office (like home offices), you should look into having a third party host your database.

Even if that's not the case, it's worth a look.

You are also be a candidate for volume licensing. That'll bring down the cost if you go with your own Server, but 3rd party hosting is nice. It's slower for the clients that would be local users (in the main office) but it's a lot less work and cheaper in the short to medium term.

What are the benefits to paying someone else to host our server rather than just setting up a PC and connecting it to our network here?

The benefits are the cost of the server machine and the software as well as the resources in setting it up and maintaining it.

Possibly the bigger benefit would be the host's "fatter pipes."

You may also want to look into web publishing, IWP or CWP, if your remote users' needs can be accommodated that way. And/or Citrix, but that can be expensive.

What would an average server cost to run monthly if someone else hosts it?

There's banner ads on this site for just those services. I've seen $30-$50/mo.

Advantages of remote hosting:

- Hosting provider pays for software licenses and software upgrades

- Hosting provider pays for hardware and hardware upgrades

- Hosting provider is in charge of keeping the system running 24/7, including at wee hours of the morning :

- Hosting provider is knowledgable about FileMaker and can assist with your questions

Disadvantages of remote hosting:

- As DJ states, remote hosting will be slower than running your server on your local network, when accessed from the same network. However, unless you are using lots of summary fields, unstored calculations, and other things that require a lot of server back-and-forth, the speed difference will be negligable.

We have been offering FileMaker hosting solutions for over 10 years:

http://www.pointinspace.com/

and note that all of our accounts include a 30 day trial, whereby if you cancel for any reason within the first 30 days you owe nothing - so there is no risk to give it a shot.

- John

Does anyone have any experience with any of these hosting providers? Are there reviews anywhere? There are a number of them and its hard to tell how reliable they are. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

Edited January 14, 200916 yr by Guest

I have used both Point In Space and MacUSA and can recommend them both.