FileMaker

Leslie Kareckas (FileMaker, Inc.)

All independent consultants that develop FileMaker solutions for K-12 schools or districts are invited to attend this round-table with FileMaker K-12 marketing and sales staff. This is an excellent opportunity to network with other independent developers, discuss technology trends in the K-12 market, and learn about ongoing sales and marketing efforts at FileMaker, Inc.

Teresa Buchholz (FileMaker, Inc.)

If you are interested in bundling your solution with FileMaker software and would like to learn more about the Solution Bundle Agreement (SBA) program, please join this interactive discussion led by FileMaker staff. You will learn about the application process, requirements for your solutions and how to get the most out of the program. This information meeting is for FileMaker Business Alliance members in the Americas'. If you are an existing SBA member, please join us for the Members-Only Round-Table. (Lunch will be provided.)

Christo Lowe (Excelisys)

Session Description Excelisys experts will explore some cool tips and tricks (like Drag-n-Drop and Back Routines), as well as show some real-world examples of how to build and implement a modular solution to be used in various deployment strategies (including Web/LAN/WAN/Mobile) across different industries. We'll also discuss tips for how to extend those solutions by adding other modules and plugins (Bar Code, CC Processing, Shipping/Receiving/Sig Capture) using the Excelisys Business Tracker V3. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Let our experts make your life easier and your work more profitable. Feel free to pose any questions you may have during our open forum. One lucky attendee will win a 10-hour consultation/development time block or a free unlocked version of the very popular Excelisys Business Tracker 3.0! All attendees will win expertise via osmosis and walk away cooler and smarter than they were previously.

What You Will Learn

• Tips for how to extend those solutions by adding other modules and plugins (Bar Code, CC Processing, Shipping/Receiving/Sig Capture) using the Excelisys Business Tracker V3
• Explaining concepts that you do not have to replicate an entire solution for the end-user

Doug Gardner (Exoteric Inc.)

Session Description The FileMaker Pro calculation window isn't used merely to define calculation fields - over a quarter of the scripts steps in FileMaker Pro take advantage of calculations. This first of two sessions will focus on calculation fundamentals, giving you a good grounding in an essential component of powerful scripting. We'll cover the use of the key logical functions, and by the end of the session we'll see how some basic concepts can be combined to produce more advanced techniques. All this is a prelude to the second session which focusses on sound scripting technique, so the focus will be on script step calculations.

What You Will Learn

• The not-so-obvious side of the calculation window
• How to use operators and key logical functions
• How context affects calculations
• How to use calculations in a variety of key scripting scenarios

Mark Richman (Skeleton Key)

Session Description This session covers some of the ways in which FileMaker Pro can share data using ODBC, a database interchange technology. We'll demonstrate how you can easily import data from other sources, such as SQL databases, into your FileMaker Pro solution, and we'll show you how you can make data from your FileMaker Pro solution available to other programs that use ODBC. We'll demystify the basics of these features and discuss some important considerations when choosing which approach is the best fit for a given situation. 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).

What You Will Learn

• Understand the different ways of getting data into and out of FileMaker Pro using ODBC technologies
• How to use the ODBC Import feature to perform an import or a synchronization of data from an ODBC data source
• How to use the ESS feature to integrate SQL data sources directly with your FileMaker Pro solutions
• How to use a FileMaker Pro solution as an ODBC data source

Steve Winter (Matatiro Solutions)

Session Description Starting from the simplest FileMaker interaction, displaying a single record, we will continue to develop a re-useable framework for conducting queries against a FileMaker database and displaying them within a web application. Moving on we'll retrieve, display, edit and save a table of data, including values from related tables, both as individual fields and through portals. Values from FileMaker value lists will be used for some fields. Finally, jQuery will be introduced as a JavaScript framework to add Ajax and 'native FileMaker' like behaviour. Tips and techniques for troubleshooting JavaScript (and Ajax in particular) will be presented.

What You Will Learn

• To make a simple connection to FileMaker Pro using PHP to retrieve a record
• To build a re-useable framework for accessing, modifying and displaying data
• To retrieve, display, edit and save a table of records, including value list implementation
• To add jQuery integration making the most of Ajax (plus find and fix the issues!)

Don Levan (Vanguard Custom Software)

Session Description Successful user interfaces solve the right problem, are easy to learn, and are efficient to use. Last year's session focused on how to design an interface to be easy to learn and efficient to use. This session will focus on how to identify and solve the right problem and will provide a repeatable design process you can use whether you are implementing a new feature, designing a user interface, or planning an entire new application.

What You Will Learn

• A repeatable process to use when designing FileMaker Pro databases
• How to identify the right problems to solve with personnas and scenarios
• How to use design patterns and sketching to develop solutions
• How to prototype in FileMaker Pro

Molly Connolly (Thorsen Consulting, Inc.)
Matt Navarre (MSN Media)

Session Description FileMaker Go is changing the way businesses access information. We will take a look at a series of Go applications that have been implemented in various industries including retail, health care, education and service industries. We will talk about their impact on the workplace, and discuss the level of effort in migrating these solutions to FileMaker Go and/or building from scratch.

What You Will Learn

• See examples of the newest and most exciting FileMaker Go implementations of the last year
• About what it took to build these FileMaker Go solutions
• The impact and benefits of the Go implementations
• What FileMaker Go can do for you!

Julie Sigfrinius (FileMaker, Inc.)

This is a round table discussion for attendees from Latin America or developers who are interested in conducting business in Latin America. Join us for an update on developers, solutions, the reseller channel, and more. Share your feedback with FileMaker staff and other program members.

Stephen Gallagher (FileMaker, Inc.)

Session Description FileMaker is always a considered purchase. This session provides guidelines for explaining the value of FileMaker Pro to your entire organization including your IT department. We will also discuss how to work effectively with FileMaker personnel, and understanding FileMaker licensing in order to increase your effectiveness in making the case for FileMaker. This will be a highly interactive session. If you are a developer/consultant working with or inside of an educational institution or corporate enterprise and would like to enjoy more success in gaining the acceptance of your ideas, then this session will be very worthwhile.

What You Will Learn

• How to make a value based case for FileMaker
• How to begin to succesfully influence all key decision makers including IT
• How to work effectively with FileMaker Personnel
• Understanding FileMaker licensing

Paul de Hallé (Linear Blue Ltd.)

Session Description This session will cover 3 different ways to integrate your data set between FileMaker Pro and MySQL through ESS and external scripting. It will highlight the pitfalls to be avoided and how to move large data sets with speed and efficiency. All of these methods are based on real world functionality when tying FileMaker data through Server based scripts with a web based MySQL system: Method 1 - Basic ESS; Method 2 - ESS with SQL scripting; Method 3 - FM Server based exporting and SQL scripting. All of these methods are designed to use only native functionality with no plug-ins.

What You Will Learn

• How to synchronize data between a FileMaker database and SQL server
• How to reduce the time for data synchronizations from hours to minutes
• The gotcha's when working with FileMaker Server and ESS
• How to synchronize data automatically using FileMaker Server script scheduling with no robot machine

Mark Richman (Skeleton Key)

Session Description See how deliberate changes in your approach to developing and deploying your databases can have a serious impact on how your applications perform over the Wide Area Network (WAN). We'll reveal some common, data-intensive design practices and their leaner alternatives, and we'll show how much bang you can get for each upgrade you can make along the path between FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go clients and their favorite FileMaker Servers.

What You Will Learn

• An overview of how specific database design approaches can optimize WAN data flow and reduce overhead
• An illustration of how targeted server and network architecture upgrades can improve WAN response time
• A checklist for giving your own applications a WAN performance tune-up
• A tour of common tools you can use to benchmark your own solutions and WAN environments

Chris Larson (NRG Software, LLC)

Session Description The majority of homegrown or off the shelf FileMaker Pro order management programs end with an order and pack list, but rely on manual updates or processes for shipping, tracking and cost accounting. We'll show you the value to your business to fully integrate your shipping into your order management system. We'll run through integration options and show you how to analyze your workflow to get the right plan together from the start. Plus, we'll demo simple and complex "real life" integrations done by your peers.

What You Will Learn

• How other developers have tackled simple, intermediate and advanced shipping workflows in FileMaker Pro
• Best practices for analyzing shipping workflow to determine shipping integration methods & project plans
• The value story for your company or your customer to integrate shipping (efficiencies, time and money)
• Shipping integration options: 1) Carrier Software (using ODBC or XML) 2) NRGship (100% FileMaker Pro)

Alexandra Gebhardt (inside Media Works)

Social Media is here to stay but what can it do to help you manage your contacts and grow your business? In this session you will learn advanced social media tips and techniques. If you have already setup a Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube account for yourself or your business, you will learn how to get the most out of your time and efforts. We'll discuss how to setup a central account dashboard to help manage and monitor your various social media accounts. We will discuss the importance of keywords and search/SEO, and how to integrate your social media efforts with your traditional/email marketing programs. We will also cover some tips on how to add social feeds and links to your website and/or blog.

Jason Erickson (World Sync)

Session Description WorldSync will illustrate how to add Server-side Audit Logging, Continuous Backup & Data Restoration, as well as Data Synchronization between multiple FileMaker Servers and between FileMaker Pro and several different types of Enterprise systems using SyncDeK 8. Following this session, you will not only know what SyncDeK can do for you, but you will have seen how to implement SyncDeK into your own solutions. Attendees who also fill out a form to be handed out during the session, will also be entered into a drawing to receive one of five iPod Touch devices to be given away at the end of the session.

Doug Gardner (Exoteric Inc.)

Session Description FileMaker Pro has the most powerful, plain language scripting capabilities of any database application: master scripting and calculations, and you master FileMaker Pro. This second of two sessions picks up where the primer on calculations left off, introducing key concepts that are fundamental to scripting mastery: the power of branching; why your scripts should be centrally controlled rather than chained together; particular vs. universal scripting solutions and why the latter affords scripting modularity which in-turn allows for script portability. All the logical script steps will be covered as we review the fundamental principles of good script building.

What You Will Learn

• Fundamental scripting concepts like modularity, universality vs. particularity, and context
• Logical and programatic side of scripting
• Script triggers, Script parameters, Script Variables
• Techniques for troubleshooting and debugging scripts

Rosemary Tietge (FileMaker, Inc.)

Session Description FileMaker DBAs have relied on robot clients to perform unattended scripts on a schedule. Starting with FileMaker Server 9, we can perform almost all of those tasks as server-side scripts. FileMaker Server can import and export records from enterprise systems, generate reports, and automatically archive records to a data warehouse. FileMaker Go makes using server side scripts even more important; these scripts can, for example, queue processes that cannot be performed in FileMaker Go and update and store calculation results to improve performance on less powerful clients. In this session you will learn best practices for server-side scripting and the most useful script models. You will also learn about subtle differences in some script steps when run on server, how to avoid scripting pitfalls, and how to best manage your server resources during peak times.

What You Will Learn

• Best practices for Server-Side Scripting
• Common Server-Side Scripting models
• Integrating Server-Side Scripts with FileMaker Go

Aaron Gutleben (Soliant Consulting, Inc.)

Session Description FileMaker Go provides a way for users to go "mobile" with any application, but developers need to be aware of the caveats presented by a mobile environment. This session takes attendees through Module 13 from the FileMaker Training Series by introducing FileMaker Go, focusing on layout design considerations, discussing supported and unsupported script steps, how to handle unsupported steps and then spends some time on advanced topics. In the advanced topics discussion, attendees will learn about handing off complex routines to FileMaker Pro, transactional processing of related records and the new URL scheme which allows FileMaker Go to interact with with other iOS applications. 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).

What You Will Learn

• Introduction to FileMaker Go
• Designing layouts for mobile use
• Calculations and scripting in FileMaker Go
• Advanced techniques

Philippe Lazzaroni (Direct Impact Consulting)

Session Description In this session, attendees will learn what Web Services are, what they are made of and the related terminology. We will also see how they can be accessed from within FileMaker Pro, exploring the use of plug-ins and their alternatives. This session will showcase practical examples of interaction between FileMaker Pro and Joomla, a Content Management System (CMS) and with NET Scoop mass e-mailing solution. Last but not least, we will see how to turn a FileMaker Pro script into a Web service with 360Works Web Service Manager.

What You Will Learn

• What Web Services are and how they can be used with FileMaker Pro
• How FileMaker Pro can interact with a content management system
• How FileMaker Pro can synchronize contacts and mailing lists between itself and mass e-mailing tools
• How to publish their own FileMaker Pro scripts as Web services

Jesse Barnum (360 Works)

Session Description 360Works demonstrates their newest FileMaker tools. DocuBin is a digital asset / document management system that includes advanced features like hierarchical folders, drag and drop support, web and file system access, version control, collaborative editing controls, and much more. It is distributed unlocked so that it can be used as-is, or customized for your clients' needs. Zulu is a collaboration between 360Works and SeedCode. Building on the strengths and knowledge of both companies, we've created a cutting edge system for interfacing both contact and calendar data stored in FileMaker Pro with Google, iCal, and mobile iOS or Android devices. Zulu is not a plug-in; it's a web application that runs on FileMaker Server and automatically publishes your FileMaker Pro contacts and/or calendar data. Using Zulu, your existing FileMaker Pro solution can be up and running with full two-way synchronization in less than an hour, as you'll see demonstrated in this session.

Heather Winkle (FileMaker, Inc.)

Session Description User research is often considered a luxury that developers don't have the time or money to undertake. Any solution that will be used by someone other than the developer should be tested. This session introduces the concept of light-weight, low-budget, yet high value usability testing. It will cover a range of methods and provide practical guidelines for planning, carrying out, and applying the findings from user research.

What You Will Learn

• Knowing when and what to test
• Techniques for low-fidelity prototyping
• Test goals, hypotheses, and protocol development
• Facilitating a study, compiling results, and producing implications

Molly Connolly (Thorsen Consulting, Inc.)

Session Description What does it take to grow your consulting company from sole proprietor to many developers? FBA Platinum Partners with companies at various stages of growth will discuss how they got to where they are and where they are going. Panelists: Bob Bowers, Soliant Consulting; Dave Knight, Angel City Data; Marshall Michaels, Anvil DataWorks; Adam Aronson, FullCity Consulting.

What You Will Learn

• How different companies plan for growth and make hiring decisions
• Marketing and sales strategies for keeping the pipeline full
• Managing quality and customer service
• Best practices for internal delegation and team management

Ray Cologon (NightWing Enterprises)

Session Description Central to the success of every database is a clear and viable data structure, yet many FileMaker developers dive right in without giving thought to alternative data models, and without a coherent strategy for dealing with conflicts or confusion that may derail an otherwise excellent project. This session will outline underlying concepts of data modeling, relating them to FileMaker Pro design and development processes, while providing a framework for addressing a range of data design and data modeling challenges. The session will include a survey of relationship and data management techniques FileMaker Pro offers, including the appropriate use of referential integrity constraints.

What You Will Learn

• Guiding principles for approaching data design for FileMaker Pro solutions
• How to avoid common problems and misconceptions associated with relational data management
• Techniques and strategies that provide a path toward a viable and elegant data model
• Implementation tips for acheiving a well formed data model using FileMaker Pro

James Wesolowski (Colibri Solutions LLC)

Session Description This session explores PMD Mobile, a real world example of FileMaker Go/Pro integration. The session covers best uses for Go solutions, Go development and integration techniques, development considerations on the Pro side, and using Go with a distributed workforce. The PMD Mobile solution will be demonstrated to illustrate how we developed and optimized the iPhone user experience, ensured successful data transfer between mobile and desktop platforms, and how Go solutions can deliver incredible value to the client. The session also shows how third-party technologies can enhance the effectiveness of both the Go and Pro solutions.

What You Will Learn

• Core FileMaker Go design principles and UI
• FileMaker Go/Pro integration techniques
• Using FileMaker Go with a distributed workforce (users)
• Extending FileMaker Pro's reach using 3rd party technologies

Enjoy an incredible dinner party with your peers and FileMaker staff. A buffet dinner, hosted bar, video DJ, various entertainers along with an amazing ambience on the waterfront will make this a night to remember.