FileMaker Licensing FAQ
- Minimum order quantities for volume
- Master Volume License Agreement (MVLA) Program
- Site License Agreement (SLA) Program
- Maintenance program
- Electronic License Delivery
- Downgrades
- Trade-up from FileMaker Pro 12 to FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced
- Conversion from FileMaker Server 12 to FileMaker Server 12 Advanced
Minimum Order Quantities for Volume Licensing
What is the minimum initial order quantity to get volume licensing pricing?
If you have not purchased under the FileMaker volume license program before, you need to purchase a minimum of 5 copies of new or upgrade software licenses in order to join the program. Maintenance and support contracts do not count towards this minimum.
FileMaker Pro is sold on a tier level, so the more you purchase, the higher level of discount you will receive. All other FileMaker software products have one low licensing price, which is discounted from our boxed product (shrink-wrapped) pricing. There is no minimum order for additional purchases.
Examples:
Eligible
- you want to purchase 5 FileMaker Pro licenses
- you want to purchase 4 FileMaker Pro licenses and 1 FileMaker Server
Not Eligible
- you want to purchase 1 Server Advanced license
- you want to purchase 4 FileMaker Pro licenses and a Service contract
What is the minimum reorder quantity for volume licensing?
Once you have purchased under the FileMaker volume licensing program, you are a volume licensing customer and in general, there is currently no minimum quantity for reorder. Please note, however, that volume licensing is a transactional license and the volume discount is based on the size of the transaction. The tier discounting is structured so that the discount level increases based on the quantity of licenses you purchase. Therefore, when you make your initial order, or reorder, you may want to aggregate your needs or include upgrading older licenses into one purchase to get better pricing.
Maintenance renewals have a minimum reorder quantity of 5.
Site License Agreement (SLA) Program
What's the benefit of the Site License Agreement (SLA) program?
The Site License Agreement (SLA) program is the most cost-effective way for you to purchase FileMaker licenses to cover your whole organization of 25 or more people or CPUs. Under the Site License Agreement (SLA) program, you can install any combination of FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server, and FileMaker Server Advanced anywhere in your organization. The SLA also includes 12 months of Maintenance.
How is the initial number of seats determined under the Site License Agreement (SLA) program?
The initial number of seats refers to the current total of either computers or headcount (whichever is less) for a company, subsidiary, or standalone entity with a unique taxpayer ID (or EIN) number covered under the license. Temporary employees, contractors, and consultants who work onsite at your facilities may also use the software to perform business-related practices, so long as they are included in the initial number of seats. If you select a computer count, you may use FileMaker Pro software for home or portable use, if those computers are included in the initial number of seats.
I'm a Site License Agreement (SLA) customer. What happens if my headcount or computer count increases?
If your total number of seats does not exceed an amount greater than 10% above your initial number of seats, you do not need to pay for your additional seats until the renewal date of the agreement. If you increase your total number of seats by more than 10%, you need to pay for the new seats at the time you add them.
Maintenance Program
What's the benefit of the Maintenance program?
Maintenance is "upgrade insurance." This means that upgrades commercially released by FileMaker during the Maintenance period are automatically licensed and sent to you at no additional charge. This is the easiest and by far the most economical way for you and your company to keep your software investment current. Schools and corporate accounts that need to be able to budget for these expenses particularly value this feature.
When do I need to renew my Maintenance contract? Do I get a better price if I renew before the expiration date?
If you are a Volume License Agreement (VLA) or Site License Agreement (SLA) customer with a current Maintenance contract, you must renew your Maintenance prior to its expiration date to take advantage of the Renewal Maintenance price.
Once your Maintenance period expires, you can take advantage of the Expired Maintenance price to renew your expired Maintenance contract. Upon renewal, your new Maintenance expiration date will be set to one year from the expired Maintenance order. When you place your order for Maintenance renewal, please reference your previous license certificate number.
If your Maintenance expires and FileMaker announces the availability of an upgrade, you will no longer be eligible for the Renewal or Expired Maintenance price. You must purchase upgrade or new product (if you don't qualify for the upgrade version) licenses to participate in the Maintenance program.
Contact FileMaker Licensing at 800-725-2747 or your preferred reseller for more information.
What do I receive under the Maintenance program?
The Maintenance program ensures you are licensed to use FileMaker upgrades, for all covered products that are commercially released by FileMaker during your Maintenance period.
What happens to my license if I do not renew Maintenance?
The license of FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server, and FileMaker Server Advanced is perpetual (subject to the terms of the license), and is valid for up to the initial number of seats identified on your Volume License Agreement (VLA) or Site License Agreement (SLA) certificate. Please note that software purchased under the Annual Volume License Agreement or Annual Site License Agreement programs do not include perpetual licenses.
When is the effective date for Expired Maintenance?
The effective start date of your Expired Maintenance is the date when you purchase it.
Please remember, however, that Expired Maintenance is significantly more expensive than New Maintenance (currently twice as much). Please also note that if FileMaker releases a new version of its software and you are not currently in the Maintenance program, you are not eligible for Expired Maintenance any longer and need to purchase new or upgrade licenses and Maintenance.
I have boxed product (shrink-wrapped). Is it possible to purchase Maintenance for these licenses?
You have to be a Volume Licensing customer to be eligible to purchase Maintenance.
If your organization is already a Volume license customer and you are renewing Maintenance on your existing licenses, you may be able to add Maintenance to your boxed product (shrink-wrapped). If this is the case, you can purchase Expired Maintenance on this software as long as your boxed product is the current version of FileMaker software. If you are not on the current version of FileMaker software, you will first have to upgrade them through our volume license program.
Can I purchase international versions of FileMaker software under a volume license agreement?
The availability of language versions depends on which country you are located in. For example, in the United States and Canada, English, French and Spanish are available. More languages are available in Europe, and Japanese is available in Japan. The non-English versions of FileMaker software ship at different times.
Pricing is set in local currencies and licensing programs may differ between countries. You should consult your local FileMaker representative for more details.
Can I purchase Maintenance for more than 1 year?
Your initial purchase of FileMaker volume licenses includes one year of Maintenance. Maintenance renewals are available for one or two year terms. And you can combine these options for longer term, for instance by purchasing two 2-year Maintenance for a total of 4 years, or a 1-year and a 2-year Maintenance for a total of 3 years, etc. Discounts are available for 2-year terms.
How do I consolidate multiple Maintenance agreements?
When buying additional licenses at a later date, be sure to speak to your Volume Licensing Representative about combining FileMaker Maintenance agreements so that you have one, easy to plan for, renewal date.
Can I renew Maintenance for fewer licenses than I originally bought Maintenance for?
The number of Maintenance seats renewed should match the number of licenses you will be using and must be a minimum of 5. Therefore, theoretically, you can but practically, you want to be careful before doing this. There will be instances when it is clearly the right thing to do. For instance, your small business, or workgroup had 15 employees and each had a FileMaker Pro license. The business or workgroup now has only 12 employees. In that case, it makes sense and is perfectly fine to renew Maintenance only for 12 licenses. In other instances, you should be very careful about renewing for fewer licenses than you originally had under Maintenance. For instance, you realize that 3 of the 15 employees in the workgroup are not using FileMaker much and would rather not renew Maintenance for them. You can renew only for 12 licenses. However, when a new version of FileMaker software becomes available, you can use only 12 licenses of that version (you can still use 3 of the older version). This may create two issues:
- Lack of Compatibility: databases taking advantage of the latest features in FileMaker will not be available to these 3 employees. This may be disruptive to the business, a hindrance to productivity, and in the end more costly than ensuring that all users have access to the best software available.
- Legal Compliance: These 3 users are not entitled to the latest version of the software and it is the responsibility of the business (or business owner or workgroup manager) to make sure that the software used is legal. Therefore, you need to make sure you are not using more software than you paid for.
What is the minimum quantity for Maintenance renewal?
The minimum quantity for Maintenance renewal is 5.
Examples:
Yes, if you purchased 5 software licenses with Maintenance, you can renew Maintenance for 5 . No, if you bought 5 software licenses with Maintenance, you cannot renew Maintenance for 4.
What if I don't want Maintenance, do I still have to buy it?
Yes. When you buy a Site License Agreement or 5 or more licenses as part of a Volume License Agreement, you automatically receive 1 year of Maintenance with your purchase. There are many advantages of the Maintenance program. Learn more.
What happens if you do not release a new version during the term of my Maintenance agreement?
You may not receive an upgrade during the term of your Maintenance agreement. FileMaker, Inc. can confirm that during the last 5 years, the shortest time between versions has been 12 months and the longest 20 months. It is to your advantage to stay current in the Maintenance program because over the long term, this is the most economical way for your organization to have access to the most up-to-date software.
Electronic License Delivery
Volume license purchases made direct from FileMaker are available via download for same day delivery at no additional fee.
It’s an easy as 1-2-3. Here’s how it works:
- Place your order on the FileMaker Store, with a FileMaker Licensing Representative or your preferred reseller.
- Open the Order Confirmation Email containing a link to a unique web page specific to your order.
- Download your software and installation license key(s), and you’ll have everything you need to get up and running quickly with your FileMaker software.
Downgrades
FileMaker gives all customers the right to purchase licenses of FileMaker Pro 12 but install an earlier version of FileMaker.
Example #1:
You've purchased 15 FileMaker Pro 12 New (not upgrade)
licenses and previously purchased 25 FileMaker Pro 10 licenses. You
can install up to 40 licenses of FileMaker Pro - 15 licenses of
FileMaker Pro 12 and 25 licenses of FileMaker Pro 10, OR 40
licenses of FileMaker Pro 10, OR any combination of FileMaker Pro
12 licenses (not to exceed 15) and FileMaker Pro 10 licenses.
Example #2:
You've purchased 15 FileMaker Pro 12 Upgrade licenses and
previously purchased 25 FileMaker Pro 10 licenses. You can install
up to 25 copies of FileMaker Pro of which only 15 can be FileMaker
Pro 12.
Licensed users of FileMaker Pro 11 may purchase a copy of the FileMaker 10 replacement ESD.
Licensed users of FileMaker Pro 12 may purchase a copy of the FileMaker Pro 10 or 11 replacement ESD by contacting Customer Assistance at 800-325-2747. Licensing customers may purchase replacement media at an additional charge.
Trade-up* from FileMaker Pro 12 to FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced
Volume license customers can trade-up from FileMaker Pro 12 to FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced by following these easy steps:
- Call FileMaker, Inc. at 1-800-725-2747 or your preferred reseller. Have your contract number ready when you call.
- Buy:
Corporate: SKU # H5274LL/A FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced Volume License Tradeup + 1 Year Maintenance
Education: SKU #H5306LL/A FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced Volume License Tradeup + 1 Year Maintenance; Non Profit / Education
- You will receive an email from orders@filemaker.com with instructions on how to download your software.
- Download and install your FileMaker Pro 12 Advanced. You will be allowed to continue to use your license of FileMaker Pro 12.
*Learn the difference between an upgrade and a trade-up
Conversion from FileMaker Server 12 to FileMaker Server 12 Advanced
Volume license customers can convert from FileMaker Server 12 to FileMaker Server 12 Advanced by following these easy steps:
- Call FileMaker, Inc. at 1-800-725-2747 or your preferred reseller. Have your contract number ready when you call.
- Buy:
Corporate: SKU # H5607LL/A FileMaker Server 12 Conversion to SVR 12 ADV + 1 Year Maintenance
Education: Education: SKU #H5608LL/A FileMaker Server 12 Conversion to SVR 12 ADV + 1 Year Maintenance NP EDU
- You will receive an email from orders@filemaker.com with instructions on how to download your software.
- Download and install your FileMaker Server 12 Advanced.
New to licensing?
Learn about the FileMaker licensing program and how you can save money buying in quantity.