1. Auto FTP without an FTP Client

    August 31, 2009 by Sameer

    I was putting together an auto ftp solution for a customer so that they can download data files that are hosted on a server outside of their network and then have FileMaker Server run a script to import the data. I thought it would be nice to describe how I got it to work, because it’s pretty cool. First, I had to create the script files that we need to run from server. I created 2 files to process  the request, a download.bat file and a download script file. The reason is that I wanted the batch file only to [...]

  2. Calculation Trick – Substitution

    by Sameer

    A nifty trick I have been using for some time is a combination of the substitute and the list functions. I want to outline an example of how to use the calculations before hand, so bear with me hear while I describe the scenario. I have a database that tracks Students and IEP’s (Individual Education Program). The IEPs can range from 1 to 13 different items in some cases. When I report back to student’s parents, or perhaps if this is a special needs child, reporting back to a County for funding, I need to provide a clear and concise [...]

  3. Dashboard Seminar

    by Marshall

    Thanks to everyone who attended our event, ‘How to Use Information Dashboards to Improve Business Performance: A Skill Set Workshop’. It was a great knowledge exchange and I think that everyone took away something that worked for their organization. Remember though, business process is the driver. Everything flows from there! Enclosed is the presentation for the event. Chuck will be providing a workshop on developing the structure for dashboards on October 22nd. You can register here.

  4. Devcon – A Recap

    by Sameer

    This year’s FileMaker Devcon was amazing. We met a lot of developer’s in the community, got to meet and talk with a fair amount of FileMaker employees, and got an insight into where FileMaker’s broad customer range really stretches out to. The second or third day of the conference we met with a couple of guys from Nickelodeon, of all places, who worked within the animation department. These guys were using FileMaker to manage certain aspects of the animation studio, and they were eager to share and learn as much as they could about the advanced features of FileMaker. We [...]

  5. Using FileMaker script triggers to enter list view after a find.

    August 27, 2009 by Chuck

    A simple but extremely useful application of FileMaker script triggers is to use them to take your users to a list view after performing a find. By using script triggers you can avoid having to use buttons to perform finds to replicate the functionality. The trigger to use on this instance is OnModeEnter, set to Browse mode. Setting the OnModeEnter causes the script to execute every time you enter the specified Mode regardless of the previous Mode which can be inconvenient in this case as you may be using Preview mode and you are certainly using Layout mode. In order [...]

  6. Devcon Reflections

    by Chuck

    Now that some time has passed since the end of the FileMaker Developers conference and I have had some time to digest the experience I am reminded of something Earl Weaver said : “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” FileMaker has broadened the focus of the conference to really provide great value for experienced FileMaker developers, and this is going to keep me coming back. I have already started implementing some of the knowledge I acquired that was pertinent to current projects especially in the areas of advanced ESS and a web security best practices. [...]

  7. DevCon Wrapup

    August 20, 2009 by Marshall

    It’s fairly safe to say that the future of FileMaker is golden. A common theme throughout the DevCon sessions showcased the tools ‘under the hood’ that developers use to create feature rich applications at a reduced cost. This continued the trend of the last couple of versions of FileMaker which allow developers to increase the velocity of development and provide end users features that in bygone years, might not have been practical. Filemaker v10.0 not only added a new skin, which vastly improved the user experience, but continued with features that allowed doing more in less time. Specifically with the [...]

  8. FileMaker Devcon 2009

    August 15, 2009 by Chuck

    Even with a bit more than a day left to go during the FileMaker developers conference it has, as it always has, proven to be a wonderfully worth while experience. The Anvil team has caught some great sessions, and we are itching to be able to apply the knowledge and techniques learned to fulfilling our customers needs. The sessions on Advanced External SQL Source by Lee Snover, Advanced Script Triggers by Bill Heizer, and Securing FileMaker Web Applications by Jonathan Stark were the highlights for us so far. I also want to thank everyone that came out to the first [...]