Filemaker Pro Replacement
Faith Lienhard
While I was first starting to use Vim, one of the first things I wanted to do was search for some text in my project and replace it with something else. At first, I certainly felt that this was not as simple as I had initially thought it would be. After a little time and practice, I discovered that Vim was powerful, incredibly useful and even a little bit fun. ?
This is quite a common need. In my regular Vimming, I think one of my most used (and favorite) keys is *. In NORMAL mode, simply press * on top of a word, and Vim will highlight all the instances of that word in your current buffer. If you want to go to the next instance, press n, if you want to go back, press N.
Without flags, :substitute will only replace one match per line. Most of the time, the g flag is passed, to substitute all matches. You can also pass the c flag so Vim asks for confirmation before doing each replacement.
If you already were searching for something using / or ?, then Vim populates the search register for you. When using :s, and the search string is empty, Vim will use the search register to perform the replacement.
Full Stack Web Developer - Cupertino
Backend Software Engineer - Cupertino
FileMaker Developer
DevOps Engineer
Tableau Developer/Business Analyst
Data Engineer
Program Manager - Bay Area
This puts me in a quandary. At my company, I have a handful of small apps that do nothing but import CSVs and print labels with barcodes on Zebra label printers, or packing slips with pictures for each item. These are one-off special purpose databases. There is no active data management. The scripts clear out the DB and import a fresh CSV on each run.
I can understand Claris wanting to move to an online subscription-based model, but the problem is that the server version is not at feature parity with the desktop client for certain essential things I need, like printing to a label printer, or exporting PDFs with images that come from a folder full of PNG files that change on each run.
Yes, I'm aware of all those options. But here's the deal: Filemaker runtimes have allowed me to roll out small targeted label and report solutions to meet Customer requirements, easily and quickly. In each case, the data originates in other systems. Often it is in the form of distribution grids that Filemaker could not possibly process (not a record-based data model). We have Python routines to do the heavy lifting of depivoting this data into a normalized record-format. These are all one-off jobs. Nothing lives in an ERP or other database system. It's project work.
The only way to retain that resiliency is to purchase a Pro license for each person using these one-off apps. The ROI for that is just not there, and no other alternative in the Filemaker universe is viable.
Unless it has been significantly improved in v19, WebDirect is a non-starter. It has abysmal PDF support, no real Printer support, and still does not let you generate PDFs with images coming from a folder.
That leaves using the API. This is a non starter. If I'm developing a custom App from scratch, for my particular use case, I have no reason to use Filemaker. To get something out fast, I'd do it in Python, use temp SQLite tables, and some off-the-shelf reporting library. It will still take 10 times longer than spinning up a Runtime app.
We run WebDirect on a local server for other stuff that will continue to work just fine. I really wish Claris would have spent time making WebDirect a truly viable replacement for runtime solutions. I have no problem purchasing more concurrent licenses for Server.
In any case, your issue has nothing to do with Filemaker itself. This is Apple's fault. V18 is not officially compatible with Catalina, and you are running afoul of the new Notarization requirements and the way they interacts with Code Signing. This problem does not exist on Mojave and earlier.
First, trashing the Code Signature folder does not remove any code signatures from the application binary, and macOS knows it. If the binaries themselves have a signed header, this header also needs to be stripped with special tooling.
Second: When you unzip or copy any file to Catalina, regardless of its source (download, thumb drive, zip file, etc.), any resulting applications or libraries will be quarantined by macOS itself. This happens automatically, regardless of whether the app has a code signature. If you right-click, choose Open, and click Open, the app will be de-quarantined and should run. The quarantine flag is an xattr attribute of the application file, and is maintained by the filesystem.
FileMaker Pro has carved a niche in the realm of database management, offering a blend of simplicity and functionality that appealed to a wide range of Windows or Mac users. Initially, it stood out for its ease of use, allowing users with minimal technical knowledge to create customized databases. Over the years, FileMaker Pro evolved, adding features such as web integration and mobile support, though these updates often lagged behind the rapid advancements in technology. It is still primarily aimed at automating menial tasks and creating simple forms / reports, and facilitating basic data management tasks, such as validation, storage, auditing, and CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) operations.
Modern businesses are increasingly reliant on data-driven decisions, necessitating more sophisticated database solutions. They require systems that not only store and retrieve data but also integrate seamlessly with other business tools, offer robust analytics, and operate securely in a cloud-based environment. This shift made the limitations of earlier FileMaker Pro iterations more apparent, especially in terms of scalability, cloud integration, and mobile support.
Having been around for more than 35 years, FileMaker platform is a mature platform. Released in April 1985, the desktop app was based on a DOS application originally named FileMaker, developed primarily for the Apple Macintosh. In 1990 it was rebranded as FileMaker Pro.
Technical limitations could and did directly impact business operations, leading to reduced productivity, increased operational costs, and potentially lost business opportunities. In a competitive business environment, these factors can be critical in deciding to seek a replacement.
Speed Issues: FileMaker Pro uses indexes for searching and for joining related tables. Although indexing increases the speed of searches, it also increase file size. Under certain circumstances, indexing can have an adverse effect on the FileMaker file causing speed issues.
Limited Support: Included with a basic Claris FileMaker license there is limited support, usually covering basics such as installation. If a business needs assistance with scripting, development, and hosting issues they will need to hire an expert, inhouse or externally who would manage all their FileMaker Pro needs.
In addition, adopting a new system could align more closely with long-term business strategies, offering scalability and flexibility to adapt and optimize future business changes and technological advancements.
Operational Inefficiencies can occur with limited integration capabilities. The inability to seamlessly integrate with newer software and platforms can lead to fragmented workflows and data silos. As data volume grows, FileMaker Pro might experience performance lags, affecting business operations.
Shifting from FileMaker Pro to a more sophisticated system is a complex transition that requires meticulous planning to ensure data integrity and minimal disruption.
Cross-Platform compatibility is required ensuring the new system integrates well with existing software ecosystems is essential for a smooth transition.
Integration with emerging technologies is easier with modern platforms that can better handle integrations with IoT devices and big data analytics, thus offering businesses more comprehensive insights and automation capabilities.
However there are challenges in transitioning to the cloud. Ensuring data is secure during the migration transfer to the cloud is a primary concern. In addition, minimizing downtime during the transition is critical to maintaining business continuity.
The necessity to move away from older versions of FileMaker Pro is driven by several factors:
limitations in scalability, cloud integration, and mobile support, evolving business requirements, technological advancements, and the need for more robust, scalable, and secure database management solutions.
This transition, though complex, offers significant long-term benefits in terms of efficiency, scalability, and competitiveness. Businesses considering this change should seek expert guidance and opt for customized solutions that cater to their specific needs, ensuring a successful transition into the future of data management.
Customized solutions are pivotal in this transition. A one-size-fits-all approach rarely meets the specific needs of different industries. Customization ensures that the new system aligns with the unique workflows, data requirements, and long-term objectives of each business.
While the initial cost of replacement can be significant, long-term operational savings and efficiency gains often justify the investment. It is well worth your time to evaluate the potential replacement benefits.
InterSoftAssociates.com specializes in providing such tailored solutions. Their expertise in legacy software replacement is critical in ensuring a smooth transition, minimizing downtime, and maintaining data integrity during the migration process. In addition we will make sure that there is adequate training, essential for staff to effectively use the new system. Selecting a system with the capacity to evolve with future technological advancements is vital.
We employ a collaborative and highly consultative process to learn from all key stakeholders. Our robust review strives to identify your current process and your emerging needs and goals. Once we clarify and agree on the business problems we develop a work plan.
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