Claris FileMaker

Avantages

La simplicité d'utilisation et la vitesse à laquelle on peut sortir une application personnalisée et qui réponds forcément à nos besoins.

Inconvénients

Le prix et la politique tarifaire.
Aussi, ils poussent à utiliser la version Cloud qui ne réponds pas aux besoins (et charges) d'une utilisation en locale.

Avantages

On peut l'utiliser de façon basique même sans avoir de formation spécifique. Il est accessible en terme d'utilisation (recherche, actions de base) même pour quelqu'un qui ne s'y connait pas en base de données, car relativement intuitif et convivial.
Quand on maitrise vraiment l'outil, il offre une panoplie de possibilités et remplace à lui seul plusieurs autres logiciels (mailing, factures, statistiques...)

Inconvénients

La fonctionnalité de mailing à une liste de personnes peut présenter des bug parfois

Alternatives envisagées 

Pourquoi passer à Claris FileMaker

Avantages

There is the almost universal view that FileMaker applications are for tracking invoices, inventories, employees, club members and other human and non-human resources relating to businesses and organisations.

But it is also a hobbyist's dream come true as other kinds of data processors can be created such as for note-making and planning screenplays (please visit https://notemakerdatabase.com for proof — both these data processors are offered free). In a strange way, it's these non-business applications that highlight FileMaker's incredible power as a platform for building any kind of a data processor. Only because FileMaker is incredibly customisable and highly versatile that NoteMaker and ScriptPlanner have become possible. The promotional phrase "low code" is a misnomer. The level of sophistication of NoteMaker and ScriptPlanner could never be achieved with "low code" or "no code" (ie, just click and pick). So, even though FileMaker is promoted as "low code" (to compete with internet-based database-creation software) — yes, it's true in the sense that an invoice and other business applications can be developed with little recourse to code, but — it's not a true picture of the powerful high-code capability that is FileMaker.

FileMaker is what is called an All-In-One. It has the design tools to create the front-end (or the user interface), it has a superb internal programming language (aka "middleware") to create the logic and finally it has an astonishing storage capacity for data (the "backend") — here, we're talking about millions of records.

As experience grows so too will your ability to create more sophisticated applications. Warning: the more you learn the more addictive FileMaker becomes. When you experience the magic of the simple Go to Layout script step, creating layouts becomes explosive. When you the learn the more complicated Loop script step, creative use for it explodes. And that's how it is: the more you learn, the more empowered you feel, the more you dare to be creative.

There is a large body of professional developers who work full-time to build custom solutions for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). So, with FileMaker comes a healthy community of skilled personnel. If you are an SME, speak to a FileMaker developer and as well as to other database providers and see what they can do to help you manage your valuable resources.

Inconvénients

Versions 19, 20 and new (released June 2024) version 21 have focused on empowering professional database builders to deliver and connect their systems to the cloud, network servers and mobile devices (such as smart phones and tablets) and to build more effective e-commerce websites — all at the "cost" of providing hobbyists with more functions for building (perhaps innovative) data processors in and of themselves for delivering to local hard drives of fellow hobbyists.

But the full-on evolution of FileMaker in entering the greater digital world is understandable if it is to maintain competitiveness with MS's ubiquitous Access, MYOB, giant SAP and solely internet-based database-creation platforms such as Caspio and the like. By all accounts, FileMaker continues to be competitive in this crowded marketplace of solution-providers to small-to-medium businesses and organisations.

But, alas, some hobbyists miss powerful functions like While(). Since v18, nothing like While() has been implemented. Instead, functions that enable greater deployment options, increased connectivity and improved websites have dominated FileMaker's evolution since v18.

So headlong has FileMaker jumped into the brave new world that it has become all about empowering professional developers — rarely taking a look back to see some of the hobbyists who have been left behind.

Avantages

Claris Filemaker is overall excellent for creating custom databases. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features that make it easy to design and manage databases. If you know how to use iTunes, you know how to use Filemaker. It's got power and simplicity.

Inconvénients

What frustrates me about FileMaker - as a freelancer - is the lack of out-of-the-box integration with Google, CardDav and CalDav servers, and - unforgivably - iCloud (considering that Claris is owned by Apple.

Alternatives envisagées 

Pourquoi choisir Claris FileMaker 

Logiciel antérieur 

Pourquoi passer à Claris FileMaker

Avantages

Flexibility of tracking costs and medical specials.

Inconvénients

Cumbersome with regards to creating separate settlement memos.

Avantages

Versatility and rapid development. It motivates non-professional staff.

Inconvénients

Pricing policy. Sometimes slow to integrate with industry standards; the Filemaker Go solution works but is clumsy.

Avantages

File Maker is super easy to set up and super easy to become proficient in. It's super reliable to use a tool that's 30 years old, and still getting powerful additions regularly.

Inconvénients

FileMaker is an oddball in the database field, and it can be hard to find best practices and tutorials for FileMaker.

Avantages

We inherited a critical database in Filemaker workstation format, we needed to move to a cloud-based solution, so Filemaker Cloud looked like the obvious choice.

Inconvénients

In reality, our purported migration never worked well. Some features simply stopped working after Filemaker "upgraded" the cloud version. Support was completely unable to help. What it worse we found the cloud software laggy, and underperforming, slowing what was the usual workstation workflow.

Alternatives envisagées 

Pourquoi passer à Claris FileMaker

Avantages

I first started using this years ago when I ran an art department for a publishers, and wanted something more robust than Excel to manage the data! I instantly fell in love with this humble but powerful software!
Once you get past the "If Then" stuff it's a doddle to set up very complex seeming databases that analyse, your data and build reports for you!

Inconvénients

If anything it's pretty minor they could use an idiots walk through to get you over the initial hurdles of understanding logic queries, but even without this, this software is so elegantly simple even a moron like me managed to get by!

Avantages

The easy and stable way to use it and improve it daily, as you want.

Inconvénients

Only iOS mobile App (no Android). Restriction without big consequence for me.

Alternatives envisagées 

Pourquoi passer à Claris FileMaker

Avantages

It works perfect for our uses. Integrates excellent

Inconvénients

Complicated for the laymen user, but with some experience it's fine.

Avantages

When you need something more than off-the-shelf software, FileMaker allows you to build a custom app quickly.

Inconvénients

It can be slightly expensive for smaller businesses.

Avantages

Good product to able manage files especially for computer based softwares

Inconvénients

Should be faster. Some bug and communication problem can be mitigated

Avantages

I have been using the software since its first release in the 80s. It was once user-friendly, but now I need to use a developer who writes code in the background to make it do anything, and I can't service it myself. It does what I need it to do, but it has cost me thousands and thousands of dollars to make it do what I need it to do now because of the built-in obsolescence. Every time I buy a update my operating system or purchase a new computer, I can expect also to spend hundreds of dollars to update FileMaker

Inconvénients

I have been using the software since its first release in the 80s. It was once user-friendly, but now I need to use a developer who writes code in the background to make it do anything, and I can't service it myself. It does what I need it to do, but it has cost me thousands and thousands of dollars to make it do what I need it to do now because of the built-in obsolescence. Every time I buy a update my operating system or purchase a new computer, I can expect also to spend hundreds of dollars to update FileMaker

Avantages

It's okay. Nothing else to say, really.

Inconvénients

They are harrassing. They quoted for a service two years ago that we paid for and since stopped using. Being international, they seem to have missed the payment two years ago. Their emails asking for payment are completely blank emails from a suspicious email address, with an attachment. No name, no account number, not even a signature panel. Obviously, I thought they were spam/viruses and so never opened them. So I only found out they were asking for the money when they called over a year after they first started asking for the money. I then engaged them, told them how odd their invoice emails were, provided payment info, went above and beyond to try and show them that I had paid. Eventually, they agreed and sent me an email saying the issue was resolved.They then sent those blank emails a couple more times and today started threatening to send the account to debt collectors.This is absurd. I don't owe them money and they admitted it!

Avantages

I regularly use this software for inventory reasons, especially in relation to art. With that said, it allows you to build your own layout and database to adapt it to exactly what you want it to be. When fully adapted it works beautifully. Using it in the context of galleries or other spaces where it has been set up is a dream. It allows relatively easy searches in many categories, allowing you to create very specific, isolated keywords to find things later (such as their price, year created, subject matter, title, name of creator etc). It's very useful.

Inconvénients

This software is not easy to set up. I did a trial run at my house, as an artist myself, to see if I could use filemaker for my own inventory needs. Once I had the software downloaded, I found it exceedingly complicated to begin to create the boxes/ qualifiers with which I wanted to be able to add data. I don't consider myself a novice with softwares. I think I'm fairly capable on a computer and even after watching a few YouTube tutorials I ended up giving up on the prospect of using this at home. It seems more relevant for businesses where there is someone well-versed in database softwares to adapt it to yoru specific needs.

Avantages

The flexibility offered by FileMaker is incredible. The more that I learn about how it works, the more I'm convinced that there's nothing you can't build with FileMaker at the core. Also, there's nothing like the community surrounding this platform. FileMaker developers are the most helpful, sharing people I've ever met. You never have to be afraid to ask a question if you get stuck because someone else has run into that problem before and they will help you through the other end.

Inconvénients

Depending on your use case, it might be too expensive. The buy-in can be high so you have to be willing to invest in making something critical to your operations.

Avantages

Easy do applications and understand the application.
Easy interface to work.
Share a database between different users.
Strong security.
Multiplatform, you can develop in Windows, Mac, Web and smartphone.
Very customizable layouts, scripts and database.

Inconvénients

Limited on some occasions.
If your solution is very simple, is possible that Filemaker is not a platform for you.

Avantages

How easy it was to go mobile within minutes of deployment. Data that was traditionally tied to PC and servers was suddnely in the hands of our team out in the field. With no training we had mobile apps overnight.

Inconvénients

The WIndows platform is a bit behind vs. the Mac. You can detect that support for WIndows is certainly there but always behind. It is slowly gaining ground though.

Avantages

This software gets the job done. You can create databases and stores and more with this software; it's very flexible.

Inconvénients

This database solution was by far the hardest software I've had to learn how to use. Frequently our company had to hire consulting companies to manage our legacy databases after our lead designer left the team.

Avantages

The ease of creating forms and spreadsheets for data tracking with this software was pretty great. We used this mainly in our event planning business and I didn't really have a complaint. You can tell the program what information you need and it will track it and input what ever you've indicated you need it to input. It definitely depends on user input and you have to take the time to ensure your databases are updated. If you do that, you won't have a problem.

Inconvénients

The only real aspect I didn't like was that there was no workflow type tracking. As our business grew, this is something we desperately needed, but it was never marketed to us as such, so I can't really complain about this. If you're looking for an all in one platform, this wouldn't be my first choice.

Avantages

Import your Excel spreadsheet, place a few fields on a form, within minutes you have created a user interface as a starting point for what can become a very powerful business application. Using the database manager, you can create links between data tables quickly and visually. Cross platform capable! Run the application on a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or use a web interface (requires the server product). Once you start using this product, and it becomes an integral part of your business operation, you can either teach yourself the advanced features, or hire a consultant to help you out as there is a very strong developer community. The development language is a easy to learn scripting language.

Inconvénients

FileMaker still struggles to gain acceptance in IT departments, and yet it is a legitimate application development environment with very powerful capabilities.

Avantages

Excellent software and easy to use. Have been using this software for the last 25 years.

Inconvénients

The software has suddenly turned into ransomware. Windows 10 is no longer supported by Filemaker, I now find myself in the position of being forced to buy completely new software in order to access my files. It wouldn't be so bad if I could upgrade but no apparently I can't upgrade from my version to Filemaker Pro 19.

Avantages

It is so easy to add new fields and reports. It's reliable, fast to load and works on both PC and Mac.

Inconvénients

As with all software these days, it's hard to get a direct answer from customer support. New versions don't support all the features we are using. New versions don't support our current setup.

Avantages

The software if fully customizable and it truly as good as you want to make it.

Inconvénients

For someone that doesn’t work in the development on a regular basis, I found myself having to relearn everything anytime I wanted to make a change.