FileMaker gets PHP and real-time boost

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Database software developer FileMaker today released a new version of its core database product of the same name, FileMaker Pro 9, for the Mac and Windows.

The company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apple, is boasting over 30 significant improvements to usability in the new version.

Four versions are available: FileMaker Pro 9, FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced, FileMaker Server 9 and FileMaker Server 9 Advanced.

FileMaker Pro 9 includes features designed to simplify creating, automating, sharing and reporting from databases, including a new Quick Start screen for new users to be quickly productive; Conditional Formatting, which highlights data based on parameters the user sets; and the ability to email a link to other FileMaker users, which they can click to instantly access your database. New database design features include a new Align Toolbar to help accelerate the design process, script grouping and editing tools, auto-resize, enhanced layout objects and tab control and an improved Web Viewer. Once the data is assembled, users can now consolidate multiple data reports into a single PDF.

Other new features include Field Level Spell Checking that you can turn on or off for individual fields; multiple Undos and Redos and an updated Standard Toolbar that includes buttons for PDF Maker and Excel Maker. There are also 10 additional Avery labels layouts including Shipping Labels.

FileMaker also provides new tools that let individual users and workgroups connect to company and web data residing in external SQL data sources: MySQL, Oracle SQL and Microsoft SQL Server. Using the new one-way or two-way live connectivity, FileMaker Pro 9 users can create custom reports, add calculations and other fields, and build relationships with existing FileMaker data.

FileMaker Server and FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced provide new PHP support for publishing information to external websites, gathering information from web visitors, and creating new applications combining a Web-based front-end with a rich, FileMaker Pro back-end.

With FileMaker Server 9, users can generate a working PHP website using FileMaker data without writing code in just minutes, according to the developer, while other new features include PHP Custom Web Publishing for creating dynamic data-driven websites, shared access to live data from external SQL sources, and a Web-delivered server console.

"FileMaker is the acknowledged leader in easy-to-use database software which empowers workgroups," said Dominique Goupil, president of FileMaker. "With FileMaker 9 we go further. We make it easier than ever for developers and users to manage information in amazingly productive and creative ways. For example, our goal is to make FileMaker Server 9 so easy that FileMaker Pro customers can install it in 20 minutes or less, and quickly share database solutions.

Prices start from £219 for FileMaker Pro exc VAT (£131 to upgrade from version 7 or later) rising to £1,650 for FileMaker Server 9 Advanced.

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