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I upgraded from an earlier version of Filemaker Pro for my office. I like the ugrades and changes that have been made. We were operating on version 3, so there are many good updates.
i have made tons of useful applications for my business & my personal life with filemaker. i could not live with out it.
With them you can do anything - from managing large customer invoices to organizing your home DVD collection. But to get the most out of your database, you have the ability - through multiple available validation requirements -- to ensure the right data goes in the right field. Not only is it easy to make your Filemaker Pro database look good, but it is very simple to customize and create the exact information fields you need. Well, Filemaker Pro 9 has an extensive ability to perform calculations and assign those values to fields as you deem necessary. Field creation is practically a one-step process: type field name and hit enter.
As a relational database program, this can be done using information from multiple other databases as well. So if all you really ever hope to accomplish with a database program is to organize your DVDs and CDs, then there are much cheaper routes to take. And even though Filemaker has really simplified the database program's user interface, there is just so much to do that it can't be covered in even the 200-page manual that's in the box. While Access employs commands that only a programmer would be able to understand, Filemaker Pro uses simpler terminology that makes it easier for new users to jump right in and create their first databases.
Filemaker Pro 9 has emerged for me as the simplest and most versatile database program available. Some of the most useful software available are database programs. Well, with great software there is always a price. Cons: Steep learning curve for advanced applications. You can even create links to Google Maps to display quick directions to important addresses right in your database forms.Need to compile information from multiple fields. Layout creation is almost self-explanatory, with simple drag-and-drop of information field locations and the ability to resize and change fonts while instantly previewing your completed form on the screen.
If you have a need for a comprehensive database program for business or even personal use, and money is not an issue, than this is definitely the program for you. There's nothing more frustrating than spending hours and hours creating the perfect database and having one person screw it up by fat-fingering data. Pros: Intuitive user interface, common-sense language approach to database programming. And with the ability to compute to more significant digits than even Microsoft Excel is capable, there is more than enough accuracy to meet almost anyone's statistical needs. So, with all these great features, why wouldn't someone want to use Filemaker Pro 9.
This one comes in the range of $275 to $300.
In addition to simple information fields, you have the ability to add buttons, tabs, drop-down menus, option boxes and checkboxes.
Whether this is your first time or you're an Access veteran, you'll find making your first Filemaker Pro database a simple and fun experience.
While Microsoft Access seems to be the most well-known database program, I have never found it to be very user friendly.
If you're in the market, at least try the 30-day trial.
For instance, you can make sure that no one enters incorrect zip codes into a personnel information database by only allowing five-character numerical values into that field.
You can import photos of people for a customer database or CD covers for your personal music collection database.
And while Filemaker has taken significant steps in making the database program usable by the average computer owner, the manual is still written for experts and poorly organized.
If your needs are simpler and your LES a little more limited, go for FileMaker's cheaper consumer-oriented Bento instead.
If you have a business I think Filemaker is an invaluable tool. I've used Filemaker for years to organize and manage my database of clients. I also use it for mailings and to create personalized form letters. It's also wonderful to use for Invoicing - allowing the user to be able to manage their invoicing in whatever way they dream possible. To sort by Client, by project, invoice number, address, job amounts, City, etc. The only limitation with Filemaker is your imagination (and learning how to use it if you don't commit yourself to figuring out how to do what you want to do). It's a little complex but you'll figure it out with dedication to reading the manual.
This is a great software, I just wish I had known to get the advanced as I'm hoping to do a lot of programming and the advanced version has some really great features that I didn't know about.Don
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