FAQ

The FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) is designed exclusively for companies that provide products and services based on the FileMaker product line. This includes FileMaker consultants, trainers, publishers, commercial solution providers, plug-in providers, and hosting companies. Companies looking to increase their business opportunities through exclusive sales and marketing support from FileMaker would benefit from FBA membership. The FBA provides a host of resources including promotional benefits, sales resources, co-marketing opportunities and product discounts to help you grow your business.

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In addition to the online application, FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) applicants must have been in business for at least one year, must be a full daytime business concern and must provide a valid business license upon request. In addition, the following must be submitted as application for FBA membership:

1. A sample of your work, using the most current version of FileMaker Pro. For example:
   • Consultants – sample of your solution
   • Plug-in developers – sample of your plug-in
   • Trainers – current schedule of courses
   • Publishers – sample of the printed material
   • Hosting Providers – provide proof that you provide
     • 24/7 availability
     • automatic notification of downtime
     • reporting on downtime per month
     • secured server facility
     • dedicated server and FileMaker Server application
2. Marketing Materials (website, brochure, resume, etc.)
3. Two (2) business references. References should include: a) customers you have developed and deployed a FileMaker solution for in the last year which should include first and last name, company, email address, city, county and b) a brief description of the work you performed. Please be aware that we will be contacting the references you provide.
4. A product and services description (This is your marketing statement describing your product and/or services that a customer would see when clicking on your company via the FileMaker web site).
5. Membership Fee (£269+VAT per year). Payment is not requested until the application has been reviewed and approved.
   Send the information to: fba_northern@filemaker.com or
   

   FileMaker International
   Technology House
   Meadowbank
   Furlong Road
   Bourne End
   Bucks, SL8 5AJ
   United Kingdom

Once approved, FileMaker Business Alliance members will receive a confirmation email that payment for membership has been received. Members will also receive a welcome email from their local regional office. The email you receive will contain your Membership ID# with information on how to access the FileMaker Business Alliance Members Only web site. This website contains resources such as your FileMaker Sales Rep contact information, sales tools, logos, and more. The primary contact of the FBA membership will be subscribed to Biz Talk, the online FileMaker business forum. Later via regular mail, you will receive a member pack with a Certificate of Membership, and instructions on the best ways to work with FileMaker, co-marketing opportunities, and how to get the most out of your relationship with FileMaker.

For one FileMaker Business Alliance membership fee, the company, if requirements are met, may have a listing in the consultant, training and solution directories on the FileMaker web site.

Many of our members attribute significant amounts of their business to leads generated from FileMaker web sites. In addition, the FBA now gives members a direct line to the FileMaker sales team through an online forum and special meetings.

Platinum members of the FileMaker Business Alliance are nominated by FileMaker Business Account Managers or Regional Managers. There is not a formal application process and an additional fee is not required for this level. Contact your FileMaker Regional Manager for more information.

Training centres and individual trainers who provide customers with hands-on instruction for FileMaker software products may qualify for the FBA – Trainer Level programme. Members receive all the benefits of the FBA. In addition to the minimum requirements of a FileMaker Business Alliance member, a Trainer level applicant must provide a published schedule of training courses related to FileMaker Pro. The company must have a training facility, and a website with an online registration form or information on how to register for a class.

If applying as an INDIVIDUAL trainer, please indicate so in the application. A sample of course materials and FileMaker certification is a plus. Customer references must be students that attended a training class delivered by your company. No additional membership fee is required.

FileMaker Business Alliance members, for an additional fee, may list additional branch offices in the Consultants directory on the FileMaker website. (Note: This does not include Trainer locations. Companies with an additional training site must purchase a second FBA membership)

As set forth in your FBA Agreement, you may, upon approval by FileMaker add an additional location to the FBA Directory (see FBA Agreement for details and limitations). Each additional listing is subject to an annual fee. P.O. Boxes or home addresses will not be accepted.

The separate fee for each additional location is a flat annual fee, regardless of what point during the FBA members' membership year the additional location is added. Further, the term for each additional location will be coterminous with the FBA membership term. (For example, if your membership year began on 5/1/2006, and you were to enrol an additional location on 11/1/2006, then you would pay the additional annual fee for the additional location for that year, and the additional location would expire on 5/1/2007, at the same time that your FBA membership expires.)

If you offer FileMaker training and have multiple training locations, you must purchase additional memberships for £269+VAT per year.

The Solution Bundle Agreement (SBA) is a software discount programme designed for FileMaker Business Alliance members who want to distribute FileMaker software bundled with their professionally developed solutions. FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server are available for special volume discounts in this programme.

Here are the requirements and details to qualify:

1. Available only to FileMaker Business Alliance members
2. All Software Licenses issued are in your business name, not your end users' business name.
3. You MUST bundle the FileMaker SBA licenses with your approved solution.
4. There is a 50-unit minimum of FileMaker Pro for each purchase. FileMaker Server may also be purchased at a discount, but do not count toward minimum order.
5. A report detailing where previous licenses were sold is due upon purchase of new licenses. FileMaker may use this for audit purposes.
6. You can elect to purchase single user licenses or a network key license.

Application Process:

1. You must have a valid FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) membership
2. Submit application with your solution(s) to FileMaker for review. If your solution requires FileMaker Server or FileMaker Server Advanced, please specify when you submit your application.
3. If approved, FileMaker will send an agreement. Your initial order and signed agreement will complete the application process.
4. Application is on FBA Members Only site

Northern Region Contact: Christina Munro
christina_munro@filemaker.com
T) +44 (0)1628 534110
Filemaker UK Licensing Sales
T) +44 (0)1628 534158

FBA members have the ability to purchase FileMaker software at a discount for the purpose of bundling it with their solutions   the Solution Bundle Agreement (SBA) and Preferred VAR Pricing. Please call your local FileMaker sales representative for more information.