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Friday, August 5 FTS | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Vendor Demo
| Time | Session Name | Track  |
Level |
 9:00 a.m. |
Thriving as an In-House Developer | Session - Core | Intermediate |
Chad Adams (Skeleton Key)
Session Description This session will identify common issues that in-house developers face and explore some methods for overcoming them. This session will cover how to keep your development skills sharp, how to achieve respect and remain valuable, how to manage the "feature creep monster", and how to drive the project and remain in control if the time comes when you need to bring in a consulting firm.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
- FileMaker Pro Advanced
What You Will Learn
- How to stay current
- Elevating the perceived status of in-house developers
- Taming feature creep and the "just fix it real quick" monster
- Things to consider when hiring a consulting firm
| 9:00 a.m. |
Designing Great Data Entry Forms | Session - Design/Develop | Intermediate |
Don Levan (Vanguard Custom Software)
Session Description Most people hate having to do data entry because most data entry forms are designed to meet the needs of the organization collecting the data - not the person entering the data. In this presentation, I will share strategies to optimize the design of data entry forms, improve the user experience and efficiency, and decrease data entry errors.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
- FileMaker Go
- iPad
- iPhone
- iPod Touch
What You Will Learn
- Best practices of desktop form design, and how to apply them to designing data entry forms in FileMaker Pro
- Best practices of mobile form design, and how to apply them to designing data entry forms in FileMaker Go
- How and why to separate data entry forms into their own interfaces
- How to optimize forms to increase data entry speed
| 9:00 a.m. |
Best Practice for Error Capture and User Abort | Session - Design/Develop | Intermediate |
David Head (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description Two script steps - Set Error Capture and Allow User Abort - provide powerful control of the programming interface and the user experience with scripting. It is important for a FileMaker developer to understand what these script steps affect and exactly how they behave. In this session, we will explore the use of these two important script steps and provide some best practice guidance. We will look at a range of examples of proper use and what can happen when the script steps are misused. We will also consider the use of these script steps in relation to FileMaker Go solution design.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro 11
- FileMaker Go
- Manage Scripts
What You Will Learn
- What the Set Error Capture and Allow User Abort steps affect
- Persistence of settings across sub-scripts
- Recent changes in the behavior of Error Capture
- Using the principle of proximity in scripting
| 9:00 a.m. |
What's Faster for FileMaker Go | Session - FileMaker Go | Advanced |
Jason Young (TeraPicoData Services)
Session Description With the revolution that is FileMaker Go, it is essential for FileMaker developers to understand how to maximize the user experience on this new platform. Do established performance benchmarks for FileMaker Pro carry over to FileMaker Go? Do we need to adopt a new set of strategies to take full advantage of how FileMaker Go performs? Some common operations have been put through real time trials, and we'll review the results and methodology used. We'll also look at how these results compare to those produced by FileMaker Pro to determine where development approaches may need to be altered.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
- FileMaker Go
- FileMaker Server
What You Will Learn
- Performance differences between FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go
- Efficient methods for working across multiple records on FileMaker Go
- Scripts vs. Calculations: When is one faster than the other?
- iPhone vs. iPad: Do they need a different approach?
| 9:00 a.m. |
Got paper? Get DocKeep & Image Enable FileMaker for Paper-Intensive Markets | Service - Vendor Demo | General |
Paul Mukai (Acordex)
Session Description DocKeep opens market opportunities for FileMaker Pro developers to deploy Enterprise Content Management (ECM) tools that capture, manage, store, preserve, and deliver scanned paper documents. The critical first step is to perform image capture efficiently - this is what DocKeep can do for you. DocKeep operates Fujitsu workgroup and department scanners at full speed in a native Mac OS environment. Many SMBs have needs that are not met; namely, they understand that their inhouse adhoc methods are TOO SLOW and that typical ECM solutions are TOO EXPENSIVE. With DocKeep, FileMaker Pro developers can easily create solutions for many vertical markets: Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction, Transportation, and Retail. Case studies will be presented to illustrate specific needs of each market.
What You Will Learn
- Expand your consulting business
- Leverage your FileMaker Pro skills
- Integrate DocKeep and image enable your FileMaker Pro solutions
- Create high-performance paper scanning and imaging databases for SMBs (small to medium-sized businesses) that run paper-intensive operations
| 10:45 a.m. |
Payment Processing Automation in FileMaker Pro | Service - Vendor Demo | General |
Adam O'Hare (NELix TransaX LLC)
Session Description Learn how easy it is to automate payment processing using the NELiX TransaX Payment Gateway. We'll show you how to quickly and securely process Credit Card or ACH transactions directly out of FileMaker Pro. Plus, we'll demonstrate how to reduce PCI Compliance risks, simple methods for automatic rebilling, processing reporting options, transactional data synching, and much more. Stop by our demonstration and learn why payment processing with NELiX TransaX is THE smart choice for FileMaker Pro developers.
| 10:45 a.m. |
FTS: Web Publishing | Session - 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 trade offs 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
- FileMaker Server
- PHP Site Assistant
- Instant Web Publishing
- PHP
What You Will Learn
- Web Publishing options avail and their required Server version
- Instant Web Publishing Review
- PHP Site Assistant
- Server components setup
| 10:45 a.m. |
Panel of Design Enthusiasts | Session - Design/Develop | Beginner |
Heather Winkle (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description This session will include a panel of FileMaker community members who have an affinity for design. Coming from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, this group shares common perspectives on best practices in interface design. The panel will provide theory, inspiration, and practical tips for applying these ideas to FileMaker solutions.
Products & Technologies
- Any
What You Will Learn
- Range of fundamental design concepts
- Perspectives from each design expert
- Industry examples of the best and, well, less than best design solutions
- Nuggets of FileMaker solution design wisdom
| 10:45 a.m. |
Ideas For Enhancing Your Existing Solution with the Latest Features | Session - Design/Develop | Intermediate |
Martha Zink (MightyData, LLC)
Session Description With every version of FileMaker, new features show up that make for easier development and better user experience. Oftentimes, we face resistance to upgrading an existing solution. This session explores the benefit of keeping up with the newest version, especially FileMaker 11. Discover ways to review existing solutions and decide what features can and should be updated with newer techniques. Also, this session will review features specific to FileMaker 11, like script triggers, filtered portals, quick find, and snapshot links, that greatly enhance the user experience while decreasing the development time.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Learn why keeping up with FileMaker's newest version is priceless!
- Learn how FileMaker 11 features make for easier development
- Learn ways to upgrade and enhance an existing solution with the latest features
- Discuss the importance of keeping up with FileMaker versions for both development and support
| 10:45 a.m. |
Leveraging Relationships in the Process Model | Session - Design/Develop | Advanced |
Ray Cologon (NightWing Enterprises)
Session Description Beyond the obvious techniques of interaction modeling and interface-based script design is a world to be explored offering simplicity and efficiency through the use of relationship-driven data management and process-based techniques. Through the understanding and application of techniques using utility relationships, powerful and efficient processing in place, data transformations and data manipulations are made possible. Moreover, solutions can be made to operate more seamlessly and elegantly, while providing direct benefits to the user by adhering more closely to a transactional process framework, allowing the user to revert scripted record creation and automated data updates using native commands.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Pro Advanced
What You Will Learn
- The role of relationships as a supporting tool for interface and scripting
- In-place techniques for record creation, deletion and data-management
- Using the database engine to improve the user experience and enhance transactional integrity
- Performance impacts and benefits from judicious use and re-use of relationships
| 12:00 p.m. |
Americas SBA Program Members-Only Round-Table | Special Meeting - Special Meeting | General |
Teresa Buchholz (FileMaker, Inc.)
This is an invitation only meeting for current members of the Solution Bundle Agreement (SBA) program in the Americas'. Join us for an update on the program and share your feedback with FileMaker staff and other program members. An invitation with more details will be sent by Teresa Buchholz. (Lunch will be provided).
| 12:00 p.m. |
Preparing For Certification: Next Steps (No Fee Required) | Session - 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 for 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. (Lunch will be provided at this session.)
Products & Technologies
- All
What You Will Learn
- Exam logistics
- How the exam process works
- Additional resources for preparing for the exam
- Next Steps for becoming certified
| 2:00 p.m. |
Understanding Commit Record | Session - Core | Intermediate |
Todd Geist (geist interactive)
Session Description FileMaker Pro "commits" data to its database. Normally this process happens in the background, without developers worrying about it. But sometimes it is very useful to take control of this process so that we can decide exactly when and what data gets committed to the database. In this session we will learn the nature of the commit record process and we will see how we can control commits to solve some tricky problems. For example: how to mitigate the issue of the iPhone ringing and halting a script in a FileMaker Go application, how to build interfaces that allow the user to "cancel" the changes they have just made to a few records in the database, how to elegantly handle multi-user record locking, or even how to speed up large batch operations. A good solid understanding of the commit record process will carry you a long way towards building better, more robust solutions.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
- FileMaker Go
What You Will Learn
- Exactly how FileMaker Pro saves data to the database
- Why this is critically important to understand for Desktop and FileMaker Go solutions
- Techniques for controlling exactly when FileMaker Pro saves data and what data gets saved
- Techniques for elegantly handling errors and rolling back changes that could not be saved
| 2:00 p.m. |
Creating Great Interface Design Patterns for FileMaker Go | Session - FileMaker Go | Intermediate |
Ernest Koe (The Proof Group)
Session Description This session is a survey of great user interface patterns and an overview of how to recreate them in your own FileMaker iPad/iPhone solutions. We will explore and deconstruct 10 to 12 patterns from a library of design patterns that cover broader categories such as Navigation, Data Views, Data Interaction and Searching/Filtering. These examples are drawn from the best and most successful real world solutions and will be presented alongside an overview of how to recreate them. A more detailed recipe of each pattern will be made available to attendees on the web.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Searching/filtering design patterns
- Data views, beyond the form, list and table view; i.e. panels
- Navigation design patterns
- Data-interaction patterns: selection, visual feedback and, data-entry examples
| 2:00 p.m. |
Recursion: See "Recursion" | Session - Design/Develop | Advanced |
Chad Novotny (The Support Group, Inc.)
Session Description Recursion is a powerful method for tackling logical problems, most often found in FileMaker Pro in the creation of custom functions. For many, recursion is also a great - and sometimes scary - unknown. This session will introduce the concept of recursion and how to write recursive functions. We will compare recursion with looping scripts, contrasting their ease of authoring, usage, debugging, and performance. We'll explore several examples of problems that are best solved with recursive techniques, examine the syntax of "tail recursion", and push to the recursive limits of FileMaker.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro Advanced
What You Will Learn
- What is recursion, and common reasons to use it
- How does a looping script differ from recursion, and when would you choose one over the other?
- Simple and advanced recursion examples, including sorting via functions
- What are the limits of recursion, and how does "tail recursion" factor in?
| 2:00 p.m. |
Panel Discussion: FileMaker Integration with Other Technologies | Session - Integration/Web | Advanced |
Matt Navarre (MSN Media)
Session Description In this panel, we'll discuss many aspects of integrating FileMaker databases with other technologies. The idea is to hear from developers who primarily connect FileMaker to other systems. We will seek to uncover some wisdom in what to do, and what to avoid. We'll discuss performance optimzed deployment for FileMaker Go, evolving web standards, hosting and consuming Web Services, PHP and ESS.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Go
- ESS
- PHP
- CSS
- and other things FileMaker connects to
What You Will Learn
- Integrating WebServices
- Evolving web integration
- FileMaker Go best practices
| 2:00 p.m. |
Plug-ins - Friend or Foe? | Service - Vendor Demo | General |
Marc Larochelle (Productive Computing)
Session Description Have you thought about or tried to implement a plug-in? Did you run into any issues, wonder what the best plug-in integration practices are or think about how a plug-in could expand your FileMaker Pro capabilities? Plugins are an essential developer tool allowing you to expand on FileMaker's functionality giving you more power and flexibility. Our plug-in experts will show you the fundamentals of how most plug-ins integrate, use various plug-in development strategies in real world solutions, explain how easy it is to integrate plug-ins and answer any questions you have. Plug-ins should be your friend! Let them take you to the next level. All attendees will receive 30% off of any of our 15 plug-ins or 6 solutions ... a one time offer and great opportunity to get you started!
What You Will Learn
- The various ways to integrate plug-ins into your solutions.
- Uncover the hundreds of ways a plug-in can enhance your solution.
- Explore real world examples.
- Learn cool plug-in tips and tricks.
| 3:45 p.m. |
Effective Charting | Session - Core | Beginner |
Bob Bowers (Soliant Consulting, Inc.)
Session Description In this session, you'll learn everything you need to get started using the charting object in FileMaker Pro 11. This includes gaining an understanding of the three methods of specifying data series, learning which type of chart is most appropriate for various reporting scenarios, and exploring ideas for dealing with chart context and formatting. A wide range of practical and useful examples will help you think about how best to incorporate charting into your own solutions.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro 11
What You Will Learn
- How to use the charting object to represent your data
- Pros and cons of various methods for assembling data series
- Tips for dealing with chart context and formatting
| 3:45 p.m. |
FileMaker Go Interactions, in Action! | Session - FileMaker Go | Intermediate |
Philippe Lazzaroni (Direct Impact Consulting)
Session Description In this session, attendees will learn how to use the URL protocol to interact with other iApps such as CNS BarCodes, Messages (SMS), Contacts and Calendar. Also on the menu, Web Viewer behavior in FileMaker Go and how it can bring extra features to your mobile devices. FileMaker Go can also communicate with external SQL data sources (ESS). This will be demonstrated, along with nifty tips, tricks and time-savers such as a practical approach to dynamic charting, custom home screen icon generation and more.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Go for iPhone and iPad
- CNS Barcodes
- Google Maps API
- QuickCode Signature Capture
What You Will Learn
- How to interact with other iOS Apps
- How to use the Web Viewer to implement electronic signatures and Google directions
- How FileMaker Go can be used as a bridge to communicate with an external SQL data source
- Nice FileMaker Go tips and tricks
| 3:45 p.m. |
Creating Great Interface Design Patterns for FileMaker Pro | Session - Design/Develop | Intermediate |
Ernest Koe (The Proof Group)
Session Description This session is a survey of great user interface patterns and an overview of how to recreate them in your own FileMaker solutions. We will explore and deconstruct 10 to 12 patterns from a library of design patterns that cover broader categories such as Navigation, Data Views, Data Interaction and Searching/Filtering. These examples are drawn from the best and most successful real world solutions and will be presented alongside an overview of how to recreate them. A more detailed recipe of each pattern will be made available to attendees on the web.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Searching/filtering design patterns
- Data views, beyond the form, list and table view; i.e. panels, pop-ups, modal processes
- Navigation design patterns
- Data-interaction patterns: selection, visual feedback and, data-entry examples
| 3:45 p.m. |
Scripting for Portability | Session - Design/Develop | Intermediate |
John Sindelar (SeedCode)
Session Description Scripting is the gateway to getting FileMaker Pro to really pull some weight for you. Yet too often we end up writing long, complicated scripts that are fragile and hard to repair when something goes wrong. It doesn't have to be that way, and even your more complex workflows can be constructed of simple, easily testable scripts that are chained together. We'll look at best practices surrounding modular scripting so your work is solid and reusable. Reusable scripts are the lifeblood of the most successful FileMaker solutions and let you move your work from one solution to another.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker 11
What You Will Learn
- Scripting best practices so your scripts are as reusable, and as portable as possible
- To examine techniques so your scripts are less fragile, and easier to debug
- How successful developers have "pattern libraries" so they're not reinventing the wheel each time they work
- How script parameters and script results let you chain simple scripts together in sophisticated workflows