Reviews

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FileMaker Pro
Bento

I Programmer focuses on new FileMaker 12 for iPad and iPhone

5/10/2012

"FileMaker Pro 12 has been redesigned to make it easy to build databases for iOS, with a range of 16 new starter templates and 40 themes, some of which are designed specifically with the iPad and iPhone in mind. The idea behind the changes is to make designing databases as simple as possible, with features such as custom screen stencils to make it easy to arrange information for iPad and iPhone screens."

5/2/2012

Covering the major new features in FileMaker 12, Information Week reports, "FileMaker 12 database software tilts the scales toward Apple's iOS devices in both design and features, makes mobile Go apps free ... A wide range of new features in the database software's latest release includes 16 ‘Starter Solutions,’ or ready-made templates for a variety of business uses such as content management and invoicing. The update also includes 40 new ‘themes’ that enable users to instantly update the look-and-feel of their databases. The menu offers ‘touch’ themes based on various iOS design elements, built with the iPad and iPhone in mind."

5/2/2012

Writing in TabTimes Daily Update, Doug Drinkwater includes Bento for iPad among the 7 best iPad apps for personal organization: "Bento is a very versatile personal organizer. Using the iPad app, you can organize contacts, track projects and tasks, plan events, record voice memos, send emails and even browse web links without having to leave the Bento application. The app can be used as a standalone application and can also be synchronized with Bento 4 for Mac, which is sold separately."

4/19/2012

In his CIO.com blog, veteran mobile tech journalist James A. Martin writes, "FileMaker, a database program, has been around in one form or another for nearly as long as the PC. But you’d never know that based on its latest incarnations: FileMaker Pro 12 and the FileMaker Go 12 iOS apps. "The FileMaker Pro 12 software for Windows and Mac, which starts at $299, lets you create databases that look great on iPhone and iPad screens. The application includes 16 new "Starter" templates for different types of databases. And each of these templates includes screens that are optimized for display when opened using FileMaker Go 12 for iPhone or FileMaker Go 12 for iPad. (The iPad and iPhone apps are different but share the same functionality.)"

4/17/2012

The new FileMaker Pro 12 has won PC Mag Editors’ Choice award. In its review, PC Mag said, " ‘Visually stunning’ and ‘databases’ are two words that you may not think of as going together, but FileMaker is changing that. FileMaker Pro 12 still has all the ease of database creation for which previous versions were known, to which are added new features and capabilities that make it a tool for creating some truly visually stunning and interactive databases ... You would be hard-pressed to find another database product that is so polished, eye-catching and fun to use."

4/16/2012

William Porter, reviewing the new FileMaker Go 12 for iPad and FileMaker Go 12 for iPhone, in Macworld, writes, "FileMaker Go 12 is the best thing to happen in the FileMaker world in a long time ... I’m having trouble finding something to dislike about Go. With FileMaker Go 12, you can now take your FileMaker Pro database with you everywhere—down the hallway, across town, or even out-of-town—and you can interact with the database almost exactly as you would if you were using it on your desktop computer back in the office. Not to mention that FileMaker Go 12 is free: its predecessor sets you back $20."

4/12/2012

Computerworld reports on the new FileMaker 12 software line: "No matter what device you're using to access a database, FileMaker wants the finished product to look good. And so the latest update to the software maker's flagship database product puts an emphasis on design features regardless of which platform you're using. "The new FileMaker 12 lineup ... updates the company's Mac and Windows database offerings while introducing new free apps for the iPhone and iPad. Chief among the changes are additions specifically aimed at helping FileMaker users build eye-catching databases that move seamlessly from desktop to mobile device."

4/11/2012

Reviewing the new FileMaker 12 software line, William Porter of Macworld.com awards 5 mice to the desktop and iPad/iPhone products: "With new versions of its entire FileMaker product line, FileMaker, Inc. extends its dominance of the Mac OS and iOS database world by offering improvements that will be valued by every type of FileMaker user: end users both in the office and out, and developers of every level of ability, from amateurs to aces ... If you are new to FileMaker Pro, this version is the easiest one ever to recommend."

2/21/2012

Bento for iPad "is like a meeting planner’s personal database, with 25 available templates" says Bedouk.com, the online resource for worldwide meeting planners. "Bento allows you to easily organize your contacts like digital business cards; include a photo so you never forget a face! Record a conference or a client meeting so you never miss a beat. Plus, you can track and manage all your events and projects, including images, tasks and key contacts. Then when you’re finished for the day, synch with Bento for Mac!"

1/23/2012

PC Mag awards its prestigious Editors’ Choice to Bento 4, saying, "This is the most useful and appealing version of Bento yet. Bento 4 is a great tool for managing the information of most interest and importance to the average person, without exposing them to the usual complexity of relational databases such as FileMaker Pro ... Bento 4 may be the only high-profile consumer-end database available for the Mac, but it's a superb one, and more than worthy of an Editors' Choice award."

12/7/2011

Guy Currier of Baseline writes that the growth of tablet computing is the #1 trend in enterprise computing. The Austin Convention Center’s (ACC) quick adoption of FileMaker Go for iPad, he writes, is the kind of innovation driving remarkable growth for tablets. "... from an investment in 15 tablets, the ACC is saving $50,000 to $60,000 a year ‘just in labor, just on the show floor.’ The ACC expects to have 75 tablets by the end of 2012."

11/15/2011

PC Mag features Bento for iPad in its list of best products of 2011: "With FileMaker's Bento for iPad, anyone - even novices - can create attractive iPad-based databases in just minutes."

9/7/2011

About.com compiled a list of the 'Top 6 Business Apps for the iPhone' that includes Bento for iPhone: "Bento (US$4.99) can help you organize pretty much every aspect of your professional and personal life. This business app uses a variety of templates that you can customize to meet your needs. The to-do list template, for example, can be customized with due dates, priorities, and other items. Bento also includes templates for organizing projects, inventory, and expenses. The iPhone app has a pretty basic interface, which is a far cry from the elegant design featured on the iPad app. Overall rating: 4 stars out of 5."

8/24/2011

PCMag set out to list the 100 best apps for iPad, and includes FileMaker Go and Bento near the top of the list. "Bento is an extremely flexible organizational app that can get your business or your everyday life in order courtesy of 25 ready-to-use database templates ... FileMaker Go is a useful tool for businesspeople who want to access FileMaker databases on the go, as it gives them the option of shedding a laptop or roaming free from a desktop PC."

7/26/2011

MacNN awards the new Bento 4 personal database software 4-1/2 stars, saying it is "An easy to use database solution that any Mac user can adopt to organize whatever information they need ... I have no hesitation in recommending Bento 4 for Mac. The latest version is more intuitive than ever and works in the way Mac users expect their apps to work – smartly."

7/26/2011

In Macworld, Jeff Battersby offers tips and tricks for printing labels with the new Bento 4: "With the release of Bento 4, FileMaker's consumer-oriented database application offers vastly improved printing features, making it possible to create and print mailing labels ... Bento 4's improved print options make the process of printing labels, tables, and forms more fun and makes the output derived from your information nicer to look at and easier to interpret."

7/26/2011

Appletell’s Jeff Hiner reviews Bento 4 for Mac and writes, "Bento is one of those wonderful programs that becomes exactly what you want it to be. Run a small business? Keep track of your books/movies/games? Create and manage a photo portfolio? Organize your Appletell staff’s equipment, review deadlines and contact information? You can fairly easily handle them all with Bento, and sync them between your Mac, iPad and iPhone or iPod touch."

7/22/2011

In Computerworld, Sarah Jacobsson Purewal surveys apps that let you organize your small business on your smartphone. She recommends starting with Bento for iPhone: "FileMaker's Bento is a multitasking app--that is, it multitasks so you don't have to. Although Bento is billed as a ‘personal database,’ its variety of templates let you manage and track a lot of business-related items, such as inventory, invoices, items sold, and expenses. Bento also syncs with FileMaker's desktop app, Bento 4 for Mac."

7/21/2011

Remember that poster you saw in a shop or café window promoting a hot concert, play, or a new movie? Chances are, a PMD Promotion installer put it in the window and in exactly the right spot to catch your eye. Hanging posters by hand can be labor intensive but, thanks to FileMaker Go and the iPod touch, executing a successful poster campaign for its clients is as trouble-free as it gets and saves significant money. "PMD Mobile based on FileMaker Go and FileMaker Pro 11 has revolutionized our business," says Dean Stallone, CEO of PMD. "We anticipate an almost immediate return on investment by saving $40,000 a year on staff performing outdated tasks like re–keying data and struggling to pair photos with disparate data coming in from the field." Please watch the video and read the story for more info.

7/21/2011

In "5 ways to take advantage of the iPad for business" Mashable’s Christina Warren describes solving data-collection problems with Bento for iPad and FileMaker Go for iPad: "Using Bento for iPad [iTunes link], I was able to create a new guest (sign-in database) in under five minutes. Bento, which can be used as a standalone app or in conjunction with Bento for Mac, is a great tool for the small business or home user who wants an easy way to create manageable databases and projects. At $4.99, it’s a great way to organize and collect data. "For users who need a more robust solution, apps like FileMaker Go for iPad [iTunes link] bring in more support, more formats and the ability to connect to various servers to make updates, download databases and share changes."

7/21/2011

PCMag.com lists "Ten Serious Apps for Small Business" including Bento for iPad, the leading database among productivity apps: "FileMaker's recently updated $4.99 handy organizational iPad app (also available as a free update for those who purchased the original version) makes it simple for anyone—even novices—to create attractive databases in just minutes, thanks to 25 pre-designed templates, a flexible editing system, and a clean, intuitive interface. Bento for iPad (also available on the iPhone and iPod touch) can be used as a standalone iPad app, or in conjunction with the new $49 Bento 4 for Mac OS X.

7/11/2011

1GreatApp.com finds FileMaker Go is a great app for IT professionals. In its recent review it states: "As an IT professional that is always on the go and away from the desk, this is extremely useful. The set up is really easy. All you have to do is enter the IP address of your current database and this app does the rest. Once it is detected, if the database is password protected you will need to enter your credentials, and there you have it. We love FileMaker Go because it takes away the need of having to remotely connect to your computer in order to use the software, or the need to call one of your colleagues to obtain information from the database."

5/18/2011

The new FileMaker Go 1.2 app for iPhone and iPad earns AppleLinks' top rating of 5-A. As Gary Coyne’s in-depth review reveals,"In short this is a fantastic tool and app. Having the full power of FileMaker on your phone or iPad is a remarkable achievement ... Simply, if you have a FileMaker database that you use and would benefit by carrying it around with you, what are you waiting for?"

5/13/2011

InformationWeek’s Kevin Casey highlights charts support, signature capture and AirPrint functionality in the new FileMaker Go 1.2, and writes: "IDC analyst Al Hilwa thinks the latest version of Go brings it 'closer and closer to desktop-level capabilities,' noting that FileMaker appears to be adding new functionality to its mobile apps at a rapid clip. 'This is going to be very appealing to the large base of existing FileMaker users and developers to mobilize their apps, but also to potentially make inroads into the small company space as they leverage mobile at much lower development costs.' "

4/29/2011

Government Computer News reviews the new FileMaker Go 1.2 and awards it Product of the Month. "FileMaker Go is made to order for iPhones, iPads in federal workplaces ... This move to an emerging platform in the government workspace is smart on FileMaker’s part, and it’s good in turn for anyone who needs to access mobile database applications ... FileMaker (FM) Pro is quite easily the second-most widely used database software on the market today. It’s used in many government and non-government organizations, and for good reason. Many people enjoy using FileMaker because of its excellent user interface, which sets it apart from the somewhat complex setup of many of its competitors. "What’s more, a FileMaker version that takes advantage of the increasing popularity of Apple iPhones and iPads in federal workplaces seems like a winning progression, as long as database integrity can be maintained without sacrificing ease of use."

4/28/2011

Brent Rose of NetworkWorld names Bento "an awesome iPad app for road warriors" and writes, "Bento is a clean and intuitive personal organization and database app. If you already use Bento for Mac or your iPhone, this one is a no-brainer. Among other great features, it gives you the capability to create audio notes and play them back within the app; you can also add a location field that will pull from your GPS. It's a great choice for distilling the chaos in your life into something more manageable."

4/21/2011

Macworld’s review, by Jeffrey Battersby, awards 4.5 out of 5 Mice to the new Bento 4: "Bento gets better with every new release and Bento 4 is no exception. The necessary addition of label printing gives Bento 4 what it needs to make it a practical database application, while thoughtful enhancements to existing tools and features give it more depth than should be expected of such an inexpensive application. Combined, these features make Bento 4 the best consumer-oriented database you’ll ever lay your hands on."

4/13/2011

Roy Tennant highlights FileMaker Go for iPhone and iPad in his article on "Why the iPad is Changing Everything -- Again." Tennant writes, "This time we’re talking about the iPadization of enterprise desktop applications. I first experienced this with the iPad app Filemaker Go. This application allows you to connect to a Filemaker Pro database on another computer or web server somewhere and use it like it was on your device. Since my wife is running for political office, this means I can have easy (trivial, really) access to her database of supporters at all times. I can even whip it out at an event and enter someone’s contact information right then and there."

4/8/2011

More business-friendly apps, including Bento for iPad, are one of the ways the iPad 2 can transform your business, writes Alana Horowitz on American Express Open Forum: "Thinking of buying everyone in your office an iPad 2? Not a bad idea... The iPad 2 has hundreds of impressive apps to help businesses stay organized. Bento helps you manage projects, organize contacts and plan events from one simple database."

3/31/2011

On About.com, Tanya Menoni reviews Bento for iPhone and writes that, "I’ve heard about Bento for months now, but I never got a chance to check it out. Now I understand firsthand what all the buzz is about. Bento is a full-featured app that can meet a variety of needs for business or personal use ... I would use the Bento app for a variety of productivity and business tasks."

3/31/2011

BeatWeek.com’s survey includes Bento for iPad among the "50 essential apps for iPad 2": "Create your own personal database. Have a collection or cds or inventory you need to keep up? Store it in Bento and sync your databases across your devices. Bento comes with 25 ready-to-use database templates that can be easily customized to organize any type of information you have. You can manage contacts, track projects, organize your album collection, plan events and so much more."

3/21/2011

Macworld's Philip Michaels writes about the new Bento 4 and updated Bento apps: "Flash forward to 2011, and Bento has not only become a mainstay program for individual users on the Mac, but it’s also available in versions for all of Apple’s iOS devices ... FileMaker overhauled its Bento lineup, rolling out version 4 of the personal database for the Mac while updating the iPhone and iPad versions as well. New features in Bento 4 tackle everything from new ways to share data stored in the application to performance-boosting enhancements. The mobile editions pick up some new capabilities of their own, including automatic location fields, an integrated voice memo feature, and support for iCal tasks syncing."

3/21/2011

Erik Eckel of TechRepublic surveys iPad apps to aid project managers and likes what he sees in Bento for iPad: "With the ability to track projects, tasks and deadlines, Bento provides iPad users with an approachable app that also leverages existing contact and iCal information and helps synchronize changes to that data. The app also supports collaboration among teams. Using Bento, iPad users can share contacts, project plans, event details, and other information with up to five other Bento users on a LAN. At just $4.99 (for the iPad; $49 for a single-user Mac license), the application’s features justify its minimal cost."

3/18/2011

PC Mag’s Jeffrey Wilson reviews FileMaker Go for iPad and finds, "After syncing a FileMaker Pro database to the iPad using iTunes' File Sharing feature, I tapped the file, causing it to open in full screen mode. I was pleased to see that the layout hadn't been altered in the transfer, and that I could edit any of the fields ... FileMarker Go is a more than worthy download for those who need to quickly retrieve, or input, important data."

3/1/2011

Analyst Rob Enderle, writing on DarkReading.com, recommends that IT staff look at FileMaker Pro and the FileMaker Go app for data security on iPad: "So if you are being pressured to provide iPad access to secure information, and if it resides in a SQL database, then consider FileMaker as an inexpensive alternative. You may find it is vastly easier to learn than having to code a native iPad client, and far cheaper than Citrix to implement. It won't work everywhere, but it could be the best Apple-sourced alternative in terms of labor and financial cost."

2/2/2011

Most every FileMaker customer is interested in ways to make printed reports as easy and impactful as possible. Writing in PC World, Will Porter reveals the secrets to awesome FileMaker printing: "Not every database needs to be printed. Many need only to store data and be searchable. Online reports sent to the computer screen may be sufficient. But if you need to print, FileMaker Pro gives you the tools for generating really spiffy reports. You just have to figure out how to use them!"

1/24/2011

BestAppSite has surveyed the world of iPad apps and nominated 10 that you really must have for office productivity when away from your office. Near the top of the list is FileMaker Go for iPad: "The desktop version (FileMaker Pro) has completely grown up now and offers the best in class for EASY database creation and powerful relational features. With FileMaker Go you don't have to leave that data behind. The latest version gives you all that you need to take your FileMaker Pro databases with you and update/add records on the go right on your iPad. You can even connect to your hosted FileMaker Pro databases over the internet."

1/6/2011

CreativePro.com has surveyed the exploding world of iPad and iPhone apps, and includes FileMaker Go as "one of the best apps for creative pros on the go ... FileMaker is the Mac's best-of-breed database application. Even on Windows, the easy-to-use FileMaker is popular for managing customer and vendor records; inventory management systems; invoicing and estimating systems; and much more. And now with FileMaker Go you can access and manage all your FileMaker databases in iPhones and iPads."

1/4/2011

Resolved to get organized in the New Year? Bento by FileMaker personal database software is a finalist for the Most Helpful Organizing Technology award, to be presented at the 2011 Los Angeles Organizing Awards at a Jan. 29 ceremony.

1/4/2011

Bill French of iPadCTO.com is impressed with FileMaker software as a "rock solid application development" platform for getting team’s business solutions onto iPad and iPhone: "Everyone wants native apps but small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) must live within resource constraints that make it difficult to tackle native app projects. Even projects based on HTML5 or simple web interfaces are non-trivial undertakings for many businesses. FileMaker provides ...rapid cross-platform development without significant iOS, XCode or HTML5 skills."

11/18/2010

Writing in eWeek, P.J. Connolly praises FileMaker Go 1.1 as "... a good example of how to adapt software originally created for a traditional PC or Mac to mobile use. It takes advantage of appropriate user interface features, while working with the inherent limitations of a mobile device, and the result is a useful and powerful tool."

11/17/2010

PCMag features Bento for iPad on its list of the 50 best iPad Apps: "In compiling this list of the 50 best iPad apps, we focused on the ones that aren't just larger versions of iPhone apps, but deliver unique and compelling tablet-based experiences all their own ... Bento for iPad aims to organize your life with 25 ready-to-use database templates that can be easily customized to organize virtually any type of information you have. You can manage contacts, track projects, plan events, and so much more."

11/17/2010

Entrepreneur.com shines its spotlight on what it calls "25 of the most revolutionary and vital applications on the market" for smart phones. It put Bento for iPhone at the very top of the list: "Bento organizes the details of your life, no matter how large or how small. Its 25 ready-to-use, customizable database templates manage contacts, schedules, inventory and other professional and personal information. Features: iTunes-style searching and sorting, integration with other apps."

10/28/2010

Bento for iPhone is judged to be one of the "Top 30 Best iPhone Apps of all time" by TipsMill.com, the website dedicated to providing easy and simple ideas and tips for big tasks.

10/14/2010

Writing on Smart Mobile, Mary Cronin praises the new FileMaker Go for iPhone: "FileMaker Go is garnering glowing reviews from its target customer base, users of the desktop and server versions of the FileMaker Pro database ... FileMaker designed this and other Go features with user and group productivity in mind. Mindful that their customer base spans large corporations and non-profit organizations as well as small and medium size businesses in multiple industries, the company is using Go to reinforce the flexibility and ease of use of its core database products. Keeping existing customers happy and making them more productive on the go is an important goal."

10/12/2010

The new FileMaker Go "just got a whole lot more useful" thanks to the new features in the free version 1.1 updates, says Terry White on BestAppSite.com. "These are great features for an already great App! If you’re a FileMaker Pro user and you have an iOS device, this is a must have app!"

9/29/2010

ZDNet’s Jason O’Grady tried out FileMaker Go 1.1, a free update for FileMaker Go users, and writes, "If you use FileMaker as your database of choice you’ll find its new mobile apps incredibly useful ... FileMaker Go is a front-page app on all my devices and I can’t wait for the next versions."

9/29/2010

ITPro’s Karl Wright reviews the new FileMaker Go for iPad and awards it 5 Stars. "We liked FileMaker Go for iPad. It’s easy to use. It integrates well with the other applications in the FileMaker portfolio, it makes the most of the iPad as a platform and it doesn’t cost the earth."

9/28/2010

The new FileMaker Go for iPhone and FileMaker Go for iPad win 5 stars from MacWorld UK: "FileMaker Go comes with a sample inventory database already loaded and ready for experimentation. When you want to install one of the databases on to your device, it’s a ruthlessly simple process involving a drag and drop in iTunes. It doesn’t take long to start seeing the possibilities of mere mortals creating applications to run on the iPhone and iPad using FileMaker Go."

9/23/2010

GigaOm’s Weldon Dodd praises the new features in FileMaker Go 1.1 for iPad and FileMaker Go 1.1 for iPhone. Dodd is especially intrigued by the new URL protocol which lets iOS app developers call FileMaker scripts. "I think this will be particularly interesting to enterprise customers that want to tap into existing data sources because they should be able to focus on building just the bridge app that connects to their system and then leverage the existing features of Filemaker Go to store the results, search records, generate PDF reports that can be emailed, and so on. "We’re used to this sort of integration on the desktop, but seeing it work on an iPhone is surprising. It feels new again and shows me that the future of iOS apps is really limitless. I’m sure I’ve only just scratched the surface of possible future uses."

9/22/2010

TheAppNews put the new FileMaker Go for iPad through its paces. The verdict? "FileMaker Go is one of the apps available for iOS devices that really highlights what this platform can be used for. Ease of use, terrific connectivity, and overall design makes this a 5 star app."

9/22/2010

Bento for iPhone and iPod touch is "a top mobile app" of the year, according to FierceMobileContent: "Bento organizes all the details of your life, both on the job and away from it. A portable version of software developer FileMaker's popular personal database solution, Bento boasts 25 ready-to-use, customizable database templates to manage critical business information like contacts, schedules, billing and inventory, complete with support for a host of field types enabling users to store text, websites, photos, video clips and related content ... As long as you remember to download Bento, you'll never forget anything else."

9/13/2010

Writing on AppAdvice.com, David Foster praises the new FileMaker Go for iPad: "Although hundreds of new iOS apps appear every day, apps capable of transforming our handheld devices into nearly indispensable, mobile business tools come along far less frequently. FileMaker Go ... is just such a game-changer, providing professionals and small business users a way to access and edit data while on the go."

9/13/2010

A new review on iPad.net states, "As a business app, FileMaker Go is astonishing in its scope. It’s a fully interactive companion to your company’s desktop FileMaker databases and forms an essential tool for team members who are not office-bound. FileMaker Go For iPad allows you to keep in touch with your team on the move by providing them with real-time database updates such as stock inventory, customer details and new contacts to name but three ... This app is amazing."

9/8/2010

About.com awards 4 stars to Bento 3 and says, "Bento 3 is a must-have upgrade for current Bento users, and a must-look-into if you’re shopping for your first database software ... Bento 3 continues to be one of the most user-friendly database applications for the Mac. With the addition of database sharing on a local network, Bento 3 reaches out to small workgroups, both in business settings and at home ... Bento 3’s list of new features includes many that were requested by the Bento user community. Because FileMaker listened to its users, Bento 3 is a must-have update for current users, as well as an excellent choice for new users looking for an easy-to-use but powerful database."

8/16/2010

"iPad slingers who need a database app with more horsepower than Bento may find exactly the cruncher they're looking for in FileMaker Go. Those who already use Go's cousin, FileMaker Pro, can easily swap files from computer to tablet and back using a variety of methods [and] many of the functions of the desktop version of the database program are preserved on the Go version."

8/11/2010

"FileMaker users, rejoice! Your wishes have been granted. On June 21, FileMaker, a subsidiary of Apple Inc., introduced FileMaker Go for accessing and modifying your FileMaker databases from the iPad. We are happy to report that this app will revolutionize the way businesses and individuals interact with their databases."

7/27/2010

Datamation.com today surveyed the world of iPad Apps for work, for business and IT professionals, and lists the new FileMaker Go as one of the top ten iPad Apps for work.

7/27/2010

Mashable.com looks at the new FileMaker Go for iPhone and FileMaker Go for iPad and finds them "further proof that mobile devices, both phones and tablets, are being taken more seriously by business users. As business adoption increases, more robust application support has followed ... You can do almost anything with the data that you could in the FileMaker Pro desktop app, including sorting, connecting to external SQL data sources and even running most of the scripts that work with FileMaker Pro."

6/2/2010

PCMAG.com lists 10 software applications which set a standard in meeting businesses' needs, including the new FileMaker Pro 11. PC MAG says, "FileMaker Pro 11 is an ideal database solution for small businesses. A streamlined interface makes it easy for even database newbies to get databases designed quickly and integrate them with the Web. Ad-hoc reporting, chart creation, and connectivity with other ODBC and JDBC compliant databases give FileMaker Pro 11 enterprise-level capabilities."

4/19/2010

TechNewsWorld reviewed Bento for iPad and found it a "joy": "Bento for the iPad's marriage of simplicity and power, coupled with an attractive interface design, makes it a joy to use. If you need to organize information beyond contacts and calendar items, Bento is a nifty and easy way to do it."

4/13/2010

Mike Breed at MyMac.com gave high marks to Bento for iPad: "I plan to use Bento for iPad to bring my sometimes chaotic life to a more Zen-like level. Owners of iPads know that using one is a new and exciting experience. Bento for iPad is what I hope is just the beginning for well thought-out apps that help keep your life manageable while making use of the capabilities of the iPad. Kudos to FileMaker for helping to set the standard!"

3/18/2010

PC MAG takes note of the new FileMaker 11 product line: "The most touted feature is the ability to graphically represent data in a series of colorful, dynamic charts. Quick Reports, gives users spreadsheet functionality by setting up data in a way which is similar to pivot tables in spreadsheets. File Maker Pro 11's other new features include Quick Find; an iTunes-like search tool that performs searches across all fields in a layout ... Database-creation novices should relish the improved Quick Start Screen; it aids in creating new databases, managing files and finding help resources."

3/11/2010

Five out of 5 Stars and an Editors’ Choice award is the verdict for the new FileMaker Pro 11, according to reviewer Dwayne Wright and Macworld UK. The new FileMaker Charts is described as a "blockbuster" and the review states: "FileMaker 11 has built in charting of data and this new feature is easy to master, flexible, elegant and even web compliant. You can choose to create bar, area, line and pie charts. Describing the process is almost as easy as performing it."

3/11/2010

The Washington Times' Mark Kellner reviews the new FileMaker Pro 11 and writes, "If you enjoy working with databases, FileMaker Pro will bring a smile to your face. If you grind your molars at the thought of such work, FileMaker Pro will unclench your jaw and give you an easy (and successful) way of making lighter work of a demanding task. It's a program I highly, and happily, recommend."

1/26/2010

INFORMATION WEEK's Jake Widman surveys top iPhone Apps and recommends Bento for iPhone as an "essential" one for small and medium business: "Bento is a lightweight database designed especially for the Mac, so what better choice for a database on the iPhone? Bento ($4.99) works as a standalone database on the phone, but it also syncs with Bento on the desktop so you can take your data with you. If you modify the data on your phone, including adding new records and fields, they'll be synced back to your home database. Bento comes with 25 iPhone templates (see image) for managing different types of data."

1/7/2010

MacNN reviews Bento 3, finds much to praise, and awards it 4-1/2 out of 5 stars: "Bento really shows the power of a true personal database, with its well thought out interface. It is immediately useful, thanks to built-in templates and a straightforward design ... I have no reservations recommending this program for use in small business or for home projects."

12/9/2009

"Of the hundreds of Mac apps we saw in the past year, these 13 were our favorites," writes MacWorld Magazine in unveiling its 2009 Eddy Awards. The new Bento 3 is among the honored apps: "Bento continues to set the standard for personal database programs. Bento 3 added iPhoto integration, network sharing, and 128-bit AES encryption. Best of all, FileMaker did the right thing for upgraders: Instead of charging them full price ($50) for the new version, it gave existing users a $20 rebate."

12/8/2009

With the holidays coming up, Yahoo Hot Jobs includes Bento for iPhone among "6 Time-Saver Gifts for Busy Professionals." Bento for iPhone, they write, "is a one-stop organizer and tracker for all of your files ... It's hard to find anyone who couldn't use this app." The time you save, says Yahoo Hot Jobs, could add up to an hour a week and be worth as much as $1,500 a year for busy professionals.

12/8/2009

MacLife reviews the new Bento 3 and declares it "Great." Praising the new personal database’s ability to organize all kinds of data, interface with Address Book, iCal and iPhoto, and new sharing features, MacLife says, "All of these features make Bento 3 brilliant for personal and small-group scenarios ... The easy-to-use interface makes building databases (dare we say it?) enjoyable."

11/16/2009

Reviewing the new Bento 3, Macsimum News says, "Apple subsidiary FileMaker continues to bring database to the masses. Database is just a geek word for collection of stuff. Used to be, if you wanted a database, you had to hire someone to program it, or learn it yourself—not an easy task ... So FileMaker put together a program that makes it simple — Bento. And with the recent jump to v. 3, Bento takes another step toward making it easy for anyone to build and use a database ... Bento is worth every penny of the US$49 you pay for it. And a five-computer family license is $99. If you have a previous version, buying directly from the Bento website will save you $20 instantly."

11/16/2009

About.com reviews the new Bento 3, awards it 4 out of 5 stars, and says, "Bento 3 offers new features, including integration with iPhoto, new security options, new view options, and the ability to share Bento libraries with up to five users on a local network. Bento 3 is a must-have upgrade for current Bento users, and a must-look-into if you’re shopping for your first database software."

10/2/2009

The new Bento 3 is available, and BUSINESS WEEK says, "The new key feature is that Bento 3 talks to iPhoto, and your iPhoto albums are viewable from within Bento. This makes it easy to store and edit detailed information about your photos, but also to link photos to entries in your Bento database, whether its for a list of small business contacts, or your collection of antique stoneware."

10/2/2009

The new Bento 3 is honored by PC MAG with an Editors’ Choice award. In the review, Michael Muchmore writes, "This is the most useful and appealing version of Bento yet. It's not perfect—I wish there were better sharing options—but the new templates and iPhoto integration are very cool ... Bento 3 may be just about the only consumer database available for the Mac, but it's a superb one, and well worthy of an Editors' Choice."

9/2/2009

MacTribe has made a list of the their favorite iPhone Apps, including Bento for iPhone MacTribe says, "Users fell in love with FileMaker Inc.'s Bento in its original desktop form. Now this admired personal database system is available anytime you need it with the Bento application for the iPhone or iPod touch. The portable organization app comes with twenty-five pre-designed templates for inputting your day-to-day data including recipes, to-do lists, expenses, diet logs, notes, and contacts, to name a few ... Because Bento integrates with your other iPhone apps, your data can cross over; for instance, you can call a phone number stored in your contacts in Bento by simply tapping the number. The app can function by itself or work seamlessly with Bento for Mac."

06/29/2009

"In FileMaker, while there are a few road blocks to perfection, no other database product that I know of will get you up and running as elegantly, as easily and as personally as FileMaker Pro," writes Rick Levine, in Canada’s andPOP. "For anyone curious yet undecided, feel free to download free trial versions of the product from the FileMaker Pro 10 website. The ease of making your first working database and seeing it come to life will probably provide enough of a thrill to actually help you go ahead and make that FileMaker Pro 10 purchase decision."

6/8/2009

Citing FileMaker Pro 10 Advanced’s "great support for Microsoft SQL Server and PDF," Government Computer News awards the new product A+ for features, A for performance, and A for ease of use. And designates FileMaker Pro 10 Advanced its Reviewer’s Choice.

6/2/2009

6/1/2009

PC World reviews the new FileMaker Pro 10 and finds it "an unbeatable combination" of ease of use and powerful features. "FileMaker Pro has always had a deserved reputation as the most accessible relational database going, allowing average users to build and customize databases for typical small-business tasks like list management, accounting, and personnel, without having to hire costly developers. That's why I was so impressed with the key changes in FileMaker Pro 10 ($299), most of which serve to make operations even more intuitive and productive ... once you try it, you won't want to go back."

06/01/2009

In his Infoworld Test Center review, William Heller writes, "A wonderfully easy-to-use desktop database product that runs on Windows and the Mac, FileMaker Pro is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as departments of large and enterprise-sized businesses. FileMaker is simple enough for the office technologist to set up, and for almost anyone in the office to use ... If you already use FileMaker 9, definitely upgrade to FileMaker 10."

5/12/2009

In awarding its prestigious Editors’ Choice Award to FileMaker Pro 10, PC Mag writes, "FileMaker has long been known for software that seems to do the impossible—marry relational-database power with impressive ease of use ... (FileMaker Pro 10’s) dramatically improved interface with toolbars, tooltips, and quick-start screens guides you through the design process faster than ever before ... FileMaker Pro’s versatility should be a match for your creativity."

03/31/2009

"Existing FileMaker users should be excited about the new features and user interface of FileMaker Pro 10, making this update one of the most significant in recent years," writes Christian Harris for IT Reviewed. "The ability to add buttons on the Status Toolbar is going to make life so much easier for many users, and Script Triggers should help to raise development productivity. More importantly, FileMaker Pro 10 allows non-programmers to create their own databases with ease ... this latest version is a big step forward in terms of accessibility and out-of-the-box deployment. A must-have upgrade for any FileMaker Pro user."

2/2/2009

William Porter, Macworld, reviews the new FileMaker Pro 10: "There’s something for everyone in version 10 of the Mac’s most popular database management program, FileMaker Pro ... Saved finds, dynamic summary reports, and script triggers make FileMaker Pro 10 a very desirable upgrade for current users ... if you are not already a FileMaker Pro user ... you should definitely give this new version a careful look."

1/28/2009

Trudy Walsh reviews the new FileMaker Pro 10 for Government Computer News. She writes, "What a nice surprise to take FileMaker Pro 10 for a spin. Can databases have changed so much since the 1980s? Compared to my dBase days, FileMaker Pro 10 was almost fun. FileMaker Pro 10 has a very browser-y look, with a tool bar at the top ... It’s also easy to sort and modify records. Back in my dBase days, I couldn’t modify anything. Fields were impossible to alter once they were set up."

1/21/2009

FileMaker Pro 10 is ‘a solid upgrade’ for users and developers, says Small Business Computing.Praising the ease of use and new power in FileMaker Pro 10, Small Business Computing states, "In an era when many companies slap a few alterations onto an interface and call it a ‘new version,’ FileMaker Pro 10 bucks the trend with a solid upgrade that will appeal to both customers and developers. Even easier to use than the previous version, FMP 10 ups its game with powerful new dynamic reports and trigger scripts."Whether you're a customer looking for ease-of-use and intuitive design or a developer looking for the horsepower to create databases and share the data wealth, FileMaker Pro 10 makes an excellent choice."

1/8/2009

Writing about the new FileMaker Pro 10, CNet says, "Offering a sleek new interface that's as nice to look at as it is intuitive, FileMaker Pro's new Status Toolbar puts commonly used features right where you need them ... Available now for $299, FileMaker Pro 10 is a must-have for those who spend their time working with databases. With features to streamline database navigation, offer easy access to search, preview, and edit modes, and shortcuts to get you where you need to go quickly, we think this update is worth the money for saving you time so you can move on to the next big project."

1/8/2009

PC Pro awards the new FileMaker Pro 10 5 out of 6 stars and says, "Script triggering and interface changes headline an upgrade that's good for developers and users alike ... FileMaker Pro 10 introduces sound practical improvements and it manages to do so within a familiar framework. With something here for everyone and new features that are genuinely useful, this is one upgrade we can heartily recommend."

1/6/2009

Computerworld’s coverage of the brand-new FileMaker Pro 10 notes the "sweeping makeover" of its interface, 30 updated Starter Solutions and 10 new themes, and new features for dynamic reporting. The magazine quotes FileMaker’s Ryan Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and services, saying, "We’re the only one out there talking about building beautiful databases."

1/6/2009

Covering the launch of FileMaker Pro 10, Macworld’s William Porter writes, "I'm pleased that this upgrade offers lots of gain and almost no pain. In fact, at first glance, FileMaker Pro 10 offers so many real benefits to developers and end-users alike that, if you're already using FileMaker, you're going to find it hard to resist the urge to upgrade. And what if you're new to FileMaker Pro? Then you're looking into the database application at a great time."

1/6/2009

ZDNet’s David Morgenstern writes that the new "FileMaker Pro 10 looks to be the real deal" and notes that customers see script triggers as a leap forward in application-building. "Version 10 looks to have the feature set that can spark an upgrade cycle, even in these tough times."