FileMaker Pro 7.0 for Providers

Important Note: Many schools and units have standardized on the use of specific database applications (such as Microsoft Access, Oracle, etc.) and may not support FileMaker Pro for their faculty and staff. Information Systems & Computing (ISC) strongly suggests that faculty and staff speak to their local support provider to determine which product(s) are supported before selecting database software.

FileMaker Pro 7.0, released on March 9, 2004, is the latest version of FileMaker's cross-platform DBMS. Version 7.0 is probably the most significant update to FileMaker since version 3.0.

ISC will support the FileMaker Pro 7.0 for its clients, including off-campus students. ISC recommends that most users adopt a "wait and see" approach, continuing to use previous versions of FileMaker Pro until after the initial bugs in FileMaker Pro 7.0 are identified and fixed, which is often signalled by the first patch.

Provider note: ISC expects to place FileMaker Pro 7.0 on the supported products list for FY 2005.

FileMaker 7.0 is compatible with Windows XP (Professional and Home), Windows 2000 Professional, and Mac OS X.x workstations with at least 128 MB of RAM. The full install of FileMaker Pro uses between 75 and 125 MB of hard disk space, depending on the type of workstation and choices made during the install.

Provider note: it is extremely important to note the lack of compatibility with older operating systems such as Mac OS 9.x, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, and Windows Millenium Edition (Windows ME). This means that Schools and Centers with a significant installed base of these operating systems will not be able to move to FileMaker Pro 7.0 until these operating systems have been phased out.

Issues

There are a number of known issues with FileMaker Pro 7.0, several of which are especially relevant to Penn's users:

• FileMaker Pro 7.0 uses a different file format than previous versions. Files can not be shared between FileMaker Pro 7.0 and older versions of FileMaker Pro, and once a file has been upgraded to the version 7.0 format it can not easily be downgraded to the earlier formats.

Provider note: despite using a different file format, FileMaker Pro 7.0 co-exists effectively with older versions of FileMaker - in other words, multiple versions of FileMaker Pro can be running at the same time without any obvious ill effects.



• FileMaker Pro 7.0 does not work with current versions of FileMaker Pro Server. FileMaker Pro Server 7.0 is expected to be released sometime in 'early summer 2004', but right now Schools and Centers who use FileMaker Pro Server will not be able to deploy FileMaker Pro 7.0.


• FileMaker Pro 7.0 does not work on older operating systems such as Mac OS 9.x, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, and Windows Millenium Edition (Windows ME).

How to get it

The full version of FileMaker Pro 7.0 is available from the Computer Connection for approximately $150.

FileMaker Pro 7.0 is temporarily available to University of Pennsylvania departments and individuals through a volume license agreement. All orders for this FileMaker license agreement are placed in advance online through the Office of Software Licensing and picked up at Computer Connection.

Provider note: the Office of Software Licensing has negotiated extremely advantageous pricing, but this pricing is only available until April 30th, 2004. Even if Schools and Centers are not ready to deploy FileMaker Pro 7.0 in the short term, buying the licenses at this time makes sense.

What's new in FileMaker Pro 7.0

Multiple relational tables in the same database file. FileMaker Pro 7.0 now allows a single database file to have multiple tables.

Provider note: this gives FileMaker Pro developers vastly greater flexibility in component design, allowing them to distribute or share a sinlge file for relatively complex solutions.

Multiple windows for the same database file. FileMaker Pro 7.0 allows users to open multiple windows for the same database file at once so they have faster access to the information needed. Users can run a report in one window while looking up information in another and each window can also show results from a different query.

More accurate data entry. A new option allows confirmation of record and layout changes before they are saved to the database. This feature, which can be disabled at any time, helps ensure accurate data entry and aids in experimentation with new layouts and database structures. In addition, auto-entry formatting can be applied to any field to assure accuracy and save time when entering data such as phone numbers and social security numbers.

Dramatically increased database capacities and capabilities. FileMaker Pro 7.0 databases can store up to 8 terabytes of information - four thousand times the old limit. Individual fields can store up to 4 gigabytes while text fields can now store up to 2 gigabytes. FileMaker Pro 7.0 also offers full Unicode support.

Reporting. Reports can now automatically apply font styles, including color and size, based on specified calculations. For example, calculations results, such as an expired renewal date, can be automatically formatted. A particular background color can also alternate by row for easier viewing of information. Specify portal specific sort orders and starting portal row number. Sort reports based on summary fields.

Import/Export. Import and export Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, Adobe Acrobat PDF files, PowerPoint presentation files, digital pictures, movies, and music.

Other improvements:

• The new status area more clearly shows the current database mode: Browse, Find, Layout, or Preview, to avoid data entry errors and allow faster switching between modes.
• Store any type of file format in new, more flexible Container fields.

For more information

FileMaker Pro 7 Products Page

CNet FileMaker Pro 7.0 review

InfoWorld "FileMaker boosts workgroup database" article

- John Mulhern III, Senior IT Project Leader, ISC Technology Support Services