External SQL Data Sources (ESS)
Create live, two-way connections to external data.
What is ESS?
FileMaker Pro creates secure two-way connections to External SQL Data Sources (ESS) such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL. Simply add a SQL table or view to the FileMaker Relationship Graph and get a live connection to the external SQL data source. You can treat the SQL data just like you would FileMaker data. Create custom reports, add calculations and other fields, or build relationships with existing FileMaker data.
You don't have to know how to write SQL queries or have any SQL programming skills to use ESS. Create new information by adding supplemental calculation and summary fields to the SQL table in FileMaker. Run finds, sorts and exports on the table. Even use the values in scripts. It's easy because it's FileMaker Pro.
Use SQL information to create name badges or shipping labels.
Track requisitions and purchase orders. Develop a visual catalogue of
stock and assets. Everything that FileMaker Pro can do – now you
can do with data from SQL.
ESS for IT Administrators
If you are an administrator for a SQL database, you know the constant demand for ad-hoc data pulls and custom solutions. Simply provide the knowledge workers in your organisation with access to your SQL views or tables. FileMaker Pro utilises standard system-level DSNs and allows you to set restrictions to data access (read only or read/write) for security purposes.
Supported data sources
FileMaker Pro 11 supports the latest certified SQL data sources including:
| MS SQL Server 2000 | Oracle 10g |
| MS SQL Server 2005 | Oracle 11g |
| MS SQL Server 2008 | MySQL 5.0 Community Edition (free) |
| Oracle 9i | My SQL 5.1 Community Edition (free) |
ESS also allows you to connect to remote FileMaker Pro databases, creating a "one source" tool for bringing all your critical data together.
More information on ESS
- Get more technical information including a technical brief (1.1 MB) on how ESS works.
- View an on-demand web seminar to explore the range of uses and integration possibilities for ESS.
Next Steps
- See more features in FileMaker Pro.
- View in-depth web seminars.
- Hear what customers are saying.
- See all features since FileMaker Pro 6.
- Get volume discounts for groups of 5+.
- Top questions to ask before you buy.
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