Combine multiple databases into single one

[jfcarbel]

I have a client that will have multiple locations in different states using FM 10 Pro or Runtime solution for our application we are developing.

The owner of the businesses wants a solution that he can run from his desktop that allows him to see consolidated data from all locations. We are appending to the front of all UIDs the 2 digit processing center id. So I am hoping that creating some nightly job to ftp and the combine them all into a single FM file for his machine will be possible.

He will then be running the same app, but looking at combined data.

Can this be done? Can it be automated, that is scripted in some way. I am familiar with AutoIt so I assume thats an option if this can't be scripted within FM using scripts and 3rd party ftp plugins.

I understand that all locations would need to have exact same table names and field layouts. If possible I would like it to be able to export the filename reference that is stored in container fields as well (we store them all by ref.)

Anyone done anything like this or offered clients another solution?

[bcooney]

Why wouldn't all offices look to the same FM Server? (Each workstation requires a copy of FM, runtimes aren't supported). Therefore, you do not have multiple copies of the system that require synchronization.

[comment]

Perhaps this thread could be useful:

http://fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/199474/

[jfcarbel]

Each workstation requires a copy of FM, runtimes aren't supported

Not sure I understand why runtimes are not supported. Are you saying runtime solution cannot import?

Each business has a single workstation running the app and database locally. I assume that if owner wanted to move to where the database was networked and multiple workstations were required, that a copy of FileMaker Pro for each one with the database located on a mapped network drive would suffice and even then FileMaker Server would not be needed if under 10 users. correct me if I am wrong there or if this is a bad solution as well.

Let me clarify a few things:

- the data does not need to be synchronized

- the owner using the consolidated database is only going to view the data and run some reports, that is it, read only operations, in fact I may disable any way for him to do modifications via a restricted privilege set

Basically the owner is just wanting to look at a snapshot of his business at any point in time. And maybe look at some audit tables to see if anyone was deleting case files. This can even be done weekly.

[bcooney]

Read the thread that comment suggested.