I am in the process of developing a solution as a point of sale system for a specific type of business. My intent is to make this system available to businesses via a hosted network, set up for each client... and only available to them on iPad/iPhone/iPod. I want the system to appear to be (as much as possible) an iOS app. I am aware that it is not possible to offer Filemaker solutions in the AppStore.

 

I was speaking to a potential client about my solution (who is going to be doing the initial testing and possibly investing in my solutions marketing) and a "concern" of theirs was... "Do you think clients will feel like your system requires to many steps to access it (ie having to download FMGo and opening FMGo to access their data) and do you feel it will make your system seem as a work around because you are unable to develop an actual iOS app (I do not possess those skills)?" She feels that if it were an actual iOS app offered in the AppStore, it would seem more "legitimate".

 

Is there a response to this type of question that shows an advantage of going the FMGo route as opposed to an actual iOS app? I suppose I am looking for the advantage of a company using my services vs an actual iOS app.

 

Thanks in advance.

Matthew

Hey Matthew:

 

You might want to check out: FileMaker Go App Maker v1.0.3

 

Here: https://fmdev.filemaker.com/docs/DOC-2654

 

It's a genius filemaker solution which lets create with an icon and link to your solution and emails an iOS configuration file which when opened on an iOS device will "install" a the customized icon for your solution with a link that directly opens the solution in filemaker go on that device. One step. This may be what you're looking for.

 

Hope this helps.

Yes... That does help. However, I am hoping to be able to express to a potential client why they need a Filemaker database opposed to something they can download from the app store. 

First, get over the inferiority complex. FM Go is an *amazing* platform. There really is nothing like it. There are around 1,000,000 apps on the App Store, what level of of quality do you think 90% of them are? Low. Very, very low.

 

Secondly, is there anything in the app store that does the same thing you're doing? Why is your solution better? You need to address that regardless of the app store issue.

 

Finally, what are the benefits? Well, for one, you, and your solution. Either you've got something good or you don't.  Another is updating. You can update at will, without submitting the app for review again and again. And you can force the updates, you don't have to keep reminding users.

 

I don't think your "potential client" is going to make a good partnership. She's supposed to help with marketing and tearing the solution down because it's not on the App Store? That's a bad sign.