New FileMaker Pro 8.5 Features Live Web Data on Demand

FileMaker 8.5 developed to address everyday demands of teachers and ICT coordinators in education

London, UK – Jan. 10, 2007 — FileMaker today announced the immediate availability of FileMaker Pro 8.5 for the education sector. This is the first desktop database to provide built-in integration with live web data (http://www.filemaker.com/fmp85pr).

As easy as it is to bookmark a web page, a live web page can now be added to a record in a database using the new Web Viewer Control in FileMaker Pro 8.5. Data in specified record fields, such as pupil records or lesson plans and teacher tasks will drive the URL in the Web Viewer. Set it up once and there will be a live web link for every record in the database enabling teachers to create live reports at a click of a button or access relevant web pages. In real life scenarios the possibilities include the ability to teach pupils how to use databases using live links to the Internet or teachers being able to create Adobe Flash charts to analyse behaviour management, produce end of term pupil reports or keep a track of pupil attendance. With schools having to record vast amounts of data it provides a simple way of being able to modify and use this information.

FileMaker recently commissioned research to examine the reasons for non-automation of professional activity across the UK. Over 3000 PC Advisor and MacWorld readers were surveyed and the results showed:

  • 10 percent of education respondents believed that paper based activity is the ONLY solution in the workspace
  • 24 percent thought that a switch to more digitally automated methods would be too time consuming to consider
  • 36 percent of those working in education claimed that a lack of understanding and software experience were the main reasons for not adopting digital methods in schools

Tony Speakman, regional manager for Northern Europe comments, "The new features introduced in FileMaker 8.5 specifically meet the needs of the education sector. Using database technology within education not only relieves the pressure of day-to-day administration but also makes teaching more creative. Web data on-demand will allow users to view live information from the Internet allowing users to research or access data instantly."

Available exclusively within FileMaker Pro 8.5, FileMaker also introduces the FileMaker Learning Centre, a convenient way for users of all levels to learn FileMaker at their own pace making it a useful resource for pupils and teachers to benefit from FileMaker. The FileMaker Learning Centre includes free video tutorials, how-to guides and many other resources.

FileMaker Pro 8.5 also offers powerful new object functions and scripting capabilities, features that carry on the company's tradition of providing greater productivity for developers and more intuitive solutions for users.

What education database developers are saying about FileMaker Pro 8.5:

"In schools there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of recording all types of data but this is pointless without a technology that lets this information be modified and used." comments Andy Marsh, 3 Square Associates. "FileMaker 8.5 will allow all this information to be accessed at a simple click of a button and to be adopted for whatever purpose is needed."

"It's great to see FileMaker has quickly addressed the need to ensure first-class performance on the new Intel based Macs. We're always confident that FileMaker databases can operate on both Macs and Windows as efficiently as possible, which is important in an education environment where we tend to rely on both platforms," says Chris Boulton, CJM Software Ltd.

New Web Integration and Productivity Features in FileMaker Pro 8.5

FileMaker Pro 8.5 for Windows and Mac OS X, features many new capabilities to make databases more productive and "web smart" for users while providing powerful new ways for developers to better control database functions.

New features include:

FileMaker Web Viewer Control – This new layout allows users to easily connect databases with critical, up-to-date web data. Links are easy to establish: simply enter the web address or point to a field containing the web address. FileMaker Pro 8.5 also includes ready-to-use built-in links for many popular web sites, including Wikipedia and others so that users can add web sites within their FileMaker Pro 8.5 records.

Users can also create links that will search through web sites and display information based on data in a database. FileMaker Pro 8.5 offers several ways to learn how to use the new functions.

A Web Viewer Sample Database is included in the product to demonstrate how to use much of the content listed above.

FileMaker offers the Web Viewer Gallery (www.filemaker.com/products/fmp/wvg) where users can learn more about ways to integrate Web Viewers into their own solutions from examples created by FileMaker and leading third-party FileMaker database developers.

Beyond adding URLs, users can view virtually any type of content in the Web Viewer that can be viewed in a Web browser including:

  • HTML
  • PDF
  • QuickTime
  • Java applets
  • Flash
  • SVG charts
  • PHP charting classes
  • Fillable forms
  • Word or Excel files (on Windows platforms)

Universal Application – All four new products are Universal, with native support for next generation Intel-based Macs delivering up to 91% faster performance for FileMaker Pro 8.5 and up to 116% faster performance for FileMaker Server 8.0v4 compared to running on Mac Power PCs.

FileMaker Learning Centre – A world of information and resources is now all within one place for FileMaker Pro 8.5 users of all types and levels of experience. Just one click away within the FileMaker Pro 8.5 Help menu, users will now have access to centralised, updated information on FileMaker Pro 8.5 quickly and easily.

New Object Functions and Scripts – Developers will be more productive in creating intuitive solutions with new functions, such as Layout Object Names, Go to Object script steps, Layout Object calculations, Set Web Viewer script step and List function.

New Chinese Version – FileMaker Pro 8.5 is also available for purchase in both simplified and traditional Chinese as well as versions of FileMaker Pro 8.5 in Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.

Pricing and Availability

All FileMaker Pro 8.5 products are immediately available. Existing users of FileMaker Pro 7.0, 8.0 and FileMaker Pro 8.0 Advanced may upgrade to FileMaker Pro 8.5.

New education users may purchase at the special discounted price for education only FileMaker Pro 8.5 for £109 and FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced for £169. FileMaker Server 8 is priced at £325 and FileMaker Server Advanced 8 is £815. FileMaker also offers further license discounts for volume purchasers.

The new product line, which includes FileMaker Pro 8.5, FileMaker Pro 8.5 Advanced, FileMaker Server 8.0v4 and FileMaker Server 8.0v4 Advanced all feature new Universal Application support and run on Mac OS X on Intel-based Macs delivering up to 116% faster performance vs. running on Power PC, based on the company's benchmark testing. The new versions also run on Power PC-based Macs, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

About FileMaker, Inc.

FileMaker Pro is used by millions of individuals and workgroups around the world to be more productive and efficient. Business, education and government customers rely on FileMaker to manage people, projects, images, assets and other information. In addition to being the number one-selling easy-to-use database software, the award-winning FileMaker product line also includes low-cost Applications that automate basic business tasks, ready-to-use Starter Solutions, and tools to create and share solutions from the desktop to the web. FileMaker, Inc. is a subsidiary of Apple Computer, Inc (AAPL).

Customer Contact:

0845 603 9100
http://www.filemaker.co.uk

Media contacts:

Helen Carroll / Ben McDonough
Octopus Communications
+44 (0) 845 3700 655
filemaker@octopuscomms.net

©2006 FileMaker, Inc. All rights reserved. FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.