External SQL Data Sources (ESS)

Create live, two-way connections to external data.

What is ESS?

FileMaker Pro creates secure two-way connections to External SQL Data Sources (ESS) such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle and MySQL. Simply add a SQL table or view to the FileMaker Relationship Graph and get a live connection to the external SQL data source. You can treat the SQL data just like you would FileMaker data. Create custom reports, add calculations and other fields, or build relationships with existing FileMaker data.

You don't have to know how to write SQL queries or have any SQL programming skills to use ESS. Create new information by adding supplemental calculation and summary fields to the SQL table in FileMaker. Run finds, sorts, and exports on the table. Even use the values in scripts. It's easy because it's FileMaker Pro.

Use SQL information to create name badges or shipping labels.
Track requisitions and purchase orders. Develop a visual catalog of
inventory and assets. Everything that FileMaker Pro can do – now you
can do with data from SQL.

NEW! In FileMaker Pro 12 you can repoint your ESS connection to a different SQL database for your development and testing needs.

Supported data sources

FileMaker Pro 12 supports the latest certified SQL data sources including:

SQL Server 2008 R2	Oracle 11g Release 1
SQL Server 2008 SP2	Oracle 11g Release 2
SQL Server 2005 SP3	Oracle 10g Release 2
MySQL 5.1

ESS also allows you to connect to remote FileMaker Pro databases, creating a "one source" tool for bringing all your critical data together.