FileMaker Pro
FileMaker Pro version 10 has recently been released.
A staff member from Filemaker, Inc., provided a demonstration of some of the new features of the software at this month's DCC meeting.
For those of you who missed the meeting and presentation, the link at
http://www.filemaker.com/products/filemaker-pro/pro-10-features.html
provides an overview of some of the new items.
FileMaker Pro 10 is available from CIS' software download site:
http://software.brown.edu. The application requires KeyAccess to function on the Brown network.
DCCs or Sysadmins who need Filemaker Server version 10 media can obtain it by sending an email request to Software_Services@brown.edu.
There is a $25 media fee for Server software.
In FileMaker Pro 10, the file format is the same as the most recent versions - 7 through 9.
CIS' limited testing to date indicates that it is not problematic to have users with FileMaker 9 and FileMaker 10
accessing the same database simultaneously. Once you have performed testing on your particular database(s),
CIS encourages users to upgrade within the next 6 months. By Fall 2009, FileMaker 10 will become the recommended version by CIS.
There remain a significant number of databases on campus in the older FileMaker Pro 4 and FileMaker Pro 6 formats.
In order to help Brown get older databases into the current format, The Support Group, Inc., an independent corporation
that provides FileMaker training and consulting services, has offered to assist in converting out-of-date databases into a current format.
The Support Group has agreed to run file conversion tools on data-less "clones" of databases in the .fp3 or .fp5 format, provide
a converted database in current .fm7 format, and allow you to perform self-testing of the upgrade.
Complete details of the FM4 and FM6 to FM10 offer are available at
http://www.supportgroup.com/conversion/brown/.
Additionally, The Support Group is offering an optional assessment of any FileMaker database for a $99 fee, so that a
developer can give recommendations for improvements to the structure, layout, etc.
If anyone has questions regarding the suitability of their database(s) for taking advantage of these offers, please contact
Chris Grossi directly (Christopher_Grossi@brown.edu).
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