This page contains all the tools and resources you'll need to convert your current solutions to FileMaker Pro 8. To get started, complete the checklist on page 4 in the document " Migrating pre-.fp7 Solutions to FileMaker 8." Then review the FileMaker technical briefs to understand changes in security, web publishing, the Server model, and other areas. For additional information, consult Knowledge Base articles for the latest issues and frequently asked questions on FileMaker products. These technical briefs are relevant to both FileMaker 8 and FileMaker 7 products.
FileMaker Pro 8.5: The FileMaker Web Viewer (PDF)
It is the intent of this technical brief to help the new or experienced FileMaker developer better understand the new FileMaker Pro 8.5 Web Viewer control feature. Reading this document will assist developers in assessing the key features and benefits of the new Web Viewer control and how to setup and integrate the Web Viewer control into their solutions. Authored by Cris Ippolite, FileMaker Business Alliance Platinum member and President of iSolutions, Inc., this paper is written as a supplement to existing documentation.
FileMaker Development Conventions (PDF)
FileMaker, Inc. established a committee that brought together experts within the FileMaker development community to an create awareness and to help establish guidance for naming conventions. This dedicated group, the FileMaker Development Conventions Advisory Committee (FDCAC), represents a cross-section of well-known, FileMaker Business Alliance members from around the world.
The goal of the FileMaker Development Conventions (FDC) white paper is to promote consistency and professionalism among FileMaker solutions. These are baseline recommendations to help establish a set of criteria one ought to consider for any naming conventions. This baseline can be a starting point for developers to extend into a richer convention to meet the needs of more demanding solutions and design methods.
Best Practices Upgrading to FileMaker 8: Migrating pre-.fp7 Solutions to FileMaker 8 (PDF)
If you build, enhance or maintain business database solutions, this technical brief will give you a thorough overview of best practices for migrating your FileMaker Pro 6 or earlier solutions to FileMaker 8. You'll learn about practical issues as well as applied techniques, get "how to" tips, find out what you need to do to ensure your files maintain the expected functionality, and more. This technical brief is relevant to both FileMaker 8 and FileMaker 7 products.
Server External Authentication (PDF)
FileMaker Server 8 and FileMaker Server 8 Advanced both support external authentication of FileMaker Pro accounts via ActiveDirectory (Windows) or OpenDirectory (Mac). This includes accounts accessed from a web browser when using FileMaker Server 8 Advanced Instant Web Publishing. Learn about Server External Authentication in detail, including how to set up and configure for both Windows and Mac platforms. This brief is ideal for all levels of FileMaker expertise and includes "how to" instructions, as well as technical insights. This technical brief is relevant to both FileMaker 8 and FileMaker 7 products.
Migration Foundations and Methodologies (PDF)
FileMaker Pro includes many new features and, more significantly, some of the underlying principles have changed. In this technical brief, you'll explore these new principles and concepts and learn how they influence your choice of migration strategy. The document presents different approaches for migrating to FileMaker 8 and the benefits and tradeoffs of each approach. In addition, you'll get answers to some of the issues you may encounter in migrating your solutions to FileMaker 8. This technical brief is relevant to both FileMaker 8 and FileMaker 7 products.
How to Employ the New, Advanced Security System (PDF)
If you're interested in understanding more about the new, unified, and significantly stronger security system in FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, and FileMaker Server Advanced, this technical brief will give you the answers you need. Written by an expert in the FileMaker developer community, this document looks at the FileMaker security system-including authentication, privilege sets, domains, visibility, encryption, granularity of access, web publishing model, and more - and issues you may encounter when you convert your solutions to FileMaker 8. This technical brief is relevant to both FileMaker 8 and FileMaker 7 products.
How to Take Advantage of New Server Model and Capabilities (PDF)
In this technical brief, you'll discover how easy it is to deploy and manage the new FileMaker Server model. In addition to learning how to take advantage of the new and improved features of FileMaker Server - including encryption of data traffic, server-side connectivity for the web, integration with network accounts for viewing and accessing hosted files, and the new Server Administration Tool - you'll also learn how to deploy and upgrade FileMaker Server and how to manage and maintain your deployments. This technical brief is relevant to both FileMaker 8 and FileMaker 7 products.
How to Benefit from Powerful New Web Publishing Capabilities (PDF)
If you're interested in learning how to take advantage of the powerful new web publishing capabilities of FileMaker, this paper will give you everything you need to know about improved web serving architecture, instant web publishing, custom web publishing, securing web solutions, and the XSLT creation and conversion tools now available for publishing FileMaker data to the web. This document also discusses deployment options and includes tips for planning before you build. This technical brief is relevant to both FileMaker 8 and FileMaker 7 products.