Merging multiple FM databases

[gblake]

Background: I am developing a Filemaker 12 database to be deployed as a runtime solution to 10 different sites:

• On a regular basis the information from these 10 databases needs to be merged into one database
• Some of the information (e.g. names) need to be anonymised/removed, so returning the entire database file isn't an option (I think - is it possible to save a copy of a database with the names replaced with "xxx"?).
• The database has 12 tables
• Each site will be running different operating systems: Mac, Windows 7, Windows XP

What is the best way to ensure that the merge is as painless as possible?

 

My preliminary thoughts are:

• Each site does an export (spreadsheet? xml? csv?) to 12 separate files (one for each table), with names (etc) stripped out. The files get emailed to the central location
• A program (Java or Python) processes a folder of these files and combines them into 12 master files
• The master files get imported into the database

but I'd be happy if anyone could suggest a better way.

[IdealData]

Have you considered hosting this on the web and using IWP to distribute the service?

 

It really would simplify life for everyone.

[bcooney]

Don't go the runtime/merge route! Consider hosting this and either providing an FM client, IWP or using FMGo.