FTS Sessions FTS | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday
| Day/Time | Session Name | Track  |
Level | Expand All |
Included in Gold Package or separately $99 each
 Monday8:00 a.m. |
Intro for Preparing for Certification | FTS | General |
Cristoffer Ippolite (iSolutions, Inc.)
Session Description This session will be open to all DEVCON attendees and is designed to discuss the advantages for becoming a FileMaker certified developer. This session will also preview the various topics in the FileMaker Certification Preparation track. Attendees will be introduced to the sessions and how they may help you prepare for FileMaker Certification. This session will be ideal for anyone attending the Certification Preparation Track or for those interested in FileMaker Certification.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- Why certification matters
- Who should consider certification?
| Monday 9:00 a.m. |
Preparing for Fields | FTS | Intermediate |
Cristoffer Ippolite (iSolutions, Inc.)
Session Description The purpose of this session is for you to become comfortable creating fields and working with various field options. FileMaker Pro software supports several different data types, including text, number, date, time, and timestamp data. You can specify many options for automatically entering data into a field when it is created and/or modified. Setting up field validation and storage options provides an additional layer of control over the data that can be entered into your system. This session will focus on the way that different field types effect behaviors of the data stored within the fields. It will also serve as a review of your Field Option related to Validation, Auto Entry and Storage. Additional things you will learn: - Auto Enter Options - Global Storage - Containers - Preparing for Certification, whats next? Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one CD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- Record Level Validation vs Field Level
- Always vs Data Entry validation options
- Indexing (None, Minimal, All) and when to index
- Character Length and Storage maximums
| Monday 10:30 a.m. |
Preparing for Data Modeling | FTS | Intermediate |
Andrew LeCates (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description Effective applications depend on effective data models. It's critical to understand the practical application of relational data models as well as the available options and uses for FileMaker's schema elements: tables, relationships, fields, layouts, and portals. This session will cover behaviors that will affect your approach to assembling meaningful views of data from groups of related tables. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- Setting appropriate storage options
- Inferring behaviors from the relationships graph
- Using multi-keys to manipulate data sets
- Using multi-keys to manipulate data sets
- Managing integrity with different relationship types
- Understanding layout context
- Predicting behavior for layouts, objects, and scripts
| Monday 1:30 p.m. |
Preparing for Layouts and User Interface | FTS | Advanced |
David Head (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description This session will take a critical look at the use, set up and behavior of layouts and layout objects. We will examine field control options and when they can be used; the how, when and where of conditional formatting; and what you need to know about resizing layout objects. We will look specifically at what has changed in layout design in FileMaker Pro 11. This session will pose questions about layout objects and their configuration that are important in studying for FileMaker Certification. It concludes with a quick fire set of layout shortcuts to speed up your layout design. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro 11
- FileMaker Training Series
- Layout Objects
What You Will Learn
- What formatting and behavior options are available for which objects
- Considerations in the use of layout objects - tab controls, web viewers, portals, merge fields/variables
- Managing layouts and layout setup
- Conditional formatting application and behavior and Tooltip options for content display
- Using the new Inspector - naming objects, auto-resizing, formatting, field control
| Monday 3:15 p.m. |
Preparing for Calculations | FTS | Advanced |
David Head (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description This session is about the use and features of calculation functions. While we cannot cover details of over 300 FileMaker functions, we will consider groups of functions in terms of their similarities and differences to provide tools to study for FileMaker Certification. We will use the online help to discover the correct and supported use of some functions. This is consolidated with some tips for discovering more about functions, how they work with inputs and the specific results they return. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
- FileMaker Training Series
- Calculation Functions
What You Will Learn
- Function input and output data types
- Case sensitivity in text functions
- Using out of range values for inputs
- Calculation structures including Let and commenting
- Review the use of more obscure but important functions like Choose and Evaluate
- Using custom functions to simplify expression, store logic and perform recursion
| Monday 4:45 p.m. |
Preparing for Scripts - Part 1 | FTS | Intermediate |
John Mark Osborne (Database Pros)
Session Description The Saved Finds feature in FileMaker Pro allows you to quickly save a found set of records for future retrieval. The saved find criteria are bound to the current account so they can't be shared on the network easily. There are four methods for saving found sets for future retrieval. Each method has advantages and disadvantages which will be explored with different examples. During the discussions, many scripts steps and concepts will be covered including record locking, the Go to Related Record script step, Script Variables, error capturing, Script Parameters, multi-key relationships, table occurrences, looping scripts and much more. Attending this two part session will help prepare you for the FileMaker certification test in regards to scripting questions. A brief summary of the first session will be given at the beginning of the second session but it is recommended you attend both sessions for the best experience. Additional things you will learn: - Script Variables (Global vs Local) - Error Capture - Script Parameters - Looping Scripts - Preparing for Certification Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Understanding Script Steps
- Record Locking in Script Steps (steps that will fail when locked)- portal and window locking issues
- When to use Commit
- Go to Related Records Script Step and context discussions
| Tuesday 9:00 a.m. |
Preparing for Scripts - Part 2 | FTS | Advanced |
John Mark Osborne (Database Pros)
Session Description Part 2 of Preparing for Scripts will be a continuation of the previous session presented by John Mark Osborne. Please read description for full details on what you will learn. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
| Tuesday 10:30 a.m. |
Preparing for Script Triggers | FTS | Intermediate |
Tim Jones (Accelerate Computer Training)
Session Description The new script triggers in FileMaker Pro open up rich new territory for FileMaker developers. You can create scripts that are triggered by a host of user actions, including layout and record navigation, entering or exiting fields, and changing modes. Script triggers can, however, add considerable complexity to your solutions, and they also have the potential for undesirable consequences if you implement them carelessly. In this FTS session, you will learn in depth about each of the new script triggers, as well as how and when script triggers are activated (pre- or post-event) or not activated (import, replace field contents, IWP user, etc.) and how to cancel a triggering event. You will also learn some practical uses for triggers, including how to check for specific triggering keystrokes and how to install and remove an onTimer script trigger. - Script Activation - Pre and Post Event Triggers - Order of Execution - Layout Level Triggers - Object Level Triggers - File Level Triggers - onTimer Triggers - Server Scheduled Triggers - Preparing for Certification, whats next? Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- How and when script triggers are activated (pre- or post-event)
- How to cancel a triggering event
- Practical uses for triggers
- How to check for specific triggering keystrokes
| Tuesday 3:15 p.m. |
Preparing for Reporting | FTS | Intermediate |
John Mark Osborne (Database Pros)
Session Description Reporting is the main reason companies develop database solutions. Therefore, it is an important skill to learn for your own solutions as well as preparation for the FileMaker certification test. This session will start off with a basic subsummary report to establish a strong base and quickly move into dynamic reporting with global fields and multiple subsummary parts. Discussions about aggregates calculations versus summary fields and how to save a PDF file of your report with a user specified name and attach it to an email will also be covered. Attending this session will help prepare you for the FileMaker certification test in regards to reporting questions. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Subsummary Parts
- Using Summary Fields vs Aggregate Fields
- Save/Send records as PDF/Excel
- Dynamic Reporting
| Tuesday 1:30 p.m. |
Preparing For Security | FTS | Intermediate |
Matthew O'Dell (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description The securing of data is a crucial step in the development of any database system. FileMaker Pro provides a wide array of security options for authenticating and authorizing the data within your database. This FTS session will cover these topics and the need to know concepts for becoming a certified developer. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
- Mac and/or PC machines
What You Will Learn
- Account, Privilege Set and Extended Privileges management
- External Authentication
- Conditional Record and Layout Access
- File Reference Security
| Wednesday 10:30 a.m. |
Preparing for Server - Server Admin Console: A guide to effective administration, backup and security | FTS | Intermediate |
Mark Richman (Skeleton Key)
Session Description This session will distill and condense server and security related topics from the FileMaker Training Series materials and will demonstrate just how easy it is to properly deploy a FileMaker Server. We will demonstrate how developers and server administrators can mitigate the risk of losing data, wasting development effort or allowing sensitive data or files to become compromised.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Server
- FileMaker Server Advanced
- Active/Open Directory
- server side OS scripting
What You Will Learn
- Methods and strategies for accessing and configuring the admin console in FileMaker Server and FileMaker Server Advanced
- The four (4) key components to a reliable FileMaker Server backup strategy
- How to leverage external authentication and Server Advanced Administrator Groups
- Practical uses for server side scripting and the fmsadmin command line interface
| Tuesday 4:45 p.m. |
Preparing for Intermediate and Advanced Techniques | FTS | Intermediate |
Bob Bowers (Soliant Consulting, Inc.)
Session Description This session will focus on mainly on two of the topics covered in Intermediate and Advanced Techniques Module 9 of the FTS materials: portal filters and custom menus. Attendees will learn how to filter portals using both the new, built-in capabilities of FileMaker Pro 11 as well as methods that require adding conditions to the relationship upon which the portal is based. In addition, attendees will learn how to create and modify custom menu sets as well as the methods for installing them. This session is intended for intermediate and advanced developers; attendees should be comfortable working with calculation functions and the Relationships Graph. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro 11
What You Will Learn
- Creating relational portal filters
- Creating, modifying, and installing Custom Menus
| Wednesday 9:00 a.m. |
Preparing for Server - Installation, Configuration and Monitoring | FTS | Advanced |
Anders Monsen (AlaMark Technologies)
Session Description Deploying your FileMaker solution to multiple users, either through FileMaker clients or the web, requires a FileMaker server solution and robust hardware. Although it is possible to share your FileMaker data on a small scale without server, only through the server software can you ensure large-scale access, consistent backups, and a stable production environment. We will cover decisions that need to made prior to installation, go through the different ways you can install FileMaker Server, and review some recommended server settings. We'll also examine some performance monitoring tools, and how to incorporate plug ins into your Server models. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Server
What You Will Learn
- Learn about the different ways to install server (1, 2 or 3 machines)
- Find out about performance monitoring applications
- Determine optimal Server settings
- How plug Ins and Auto Update works with Server
| Wednesday 1:30 p.m. |
Preparing for Connectivity | FTS | Intermediate |
Alexei Folger (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description One of the great strengths of FileMaker Pro software is its ability to share data with other applications. Not only can FileMaker Pro make its own data available, via technologies compatible with Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), it can access data stored in other systems as well. This session covers some of the ways in which FileMaker Pro can share data using ODBC, a database interchange technology. Using ODBC, you can import data from sources, such as SQL databases, into your FileMaker Pro solution. Likewise, you can make data from your FileMaker Pro solution available to other programs that use ODBC. The session will also cover connecting through the External SQL Sources (ESS) feature in FileMaker Pro, where you can directly access certain kinds of SQL-based data directly from within a FileMaker Pro system. Attending this session will help prepare you for the FileMaker certification test in regard to Connectivity questions. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- ODBC Drivers supported and data sources supported for ESS
- Ports used
- Creating and editing ODBC data sources
- Configuring a DSN, and working with shadow tables and shadow fields
| Wednesday 3:00 p.m. |
Preparing for Web Publishing | FTS | Intermediate |
Cristoffer Ippolite (iSolutions, Inc.)
Session Description The web technologies in FileMaker Server (and Pro) allow you to give your solutions a very broad reach. However, there are some tradeoffs to be aware of, which this session will discuss in detail. Web technologies allow users to interact with a FileMaker Pro solution using only a web browser. This session will discuss both Instant and Custom Web Publishing options available as well as considerations for both. There will also be discussion on setting up Web Publishing and the required Server components and additional software you will need to publish your FileMaker data to the web. Additional things you will learn: - XML Grammars - URL Syntax - PHP Site Assistant - Preparing for Certification, what's next? Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- Ports needed for each component to speak to others
- Web Publishing options avail and their required Server version
- Server components setup
- Scripts on the web
| Wednesday 4:15 p.m. |
Wrap Up and Next Steps for Certification | FTS | General |
Cristoffer Ippolite (iSolutions, Inc.)
Session Description Preparing for the FileMaker Certification Exam doesn't stop here. This session will review all the resources available to those who wish to properly prepare themselves to take the exam. Recommended reading and additional study guides will be reviewed as well as a discussion on how and where to take the exam. This session will provide tips for proper preparation for those taking the exam, allowing attendees to prepare the "next steps" for preparing for certification. Attendees will also have time to ask questions about Certification.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- How the exam process works
- How to schedule an exam