FileMaker Database Hosting Considerations

When putting your FileMaker database over the Internet, below are some things to consider.

Security

• Aside from making sure all your databases are protected with non-default databases, you can secure access by making sure your OS X Firewall is enabled in the Security Preferences of your machine.
• If your machine is running OS X Server, you can turn on VPN services so data between the client and host are encrypted.
• Within FileMaker Pro, you can limit which users can access the database remotely by their Privilege Set. If you're using FileMaker Server, you can also enable SSL to further secure access to the host.

Sharing Your FileMaker Pro Databases Over the Internet

In the last post we talked about sharing your FileMaker Pro databases over your Local Area Network (or LAN). But what if you want to access your databases outside your LAN?

The Easy Way
The easiest way is to get an Internet plan from your phone or cable provider that comes with an IP Block. This is a set of IP Addresses that you can assign to your host so you can access it over the Internet. This is not as cheap as your regular broadband plan but is the most straightforward, once you get to deal with your ISP. Make sure you get them to assign your host with a Public IP Address, and note this down.

Sharing Your FileMaker Pro Databases Over the Network

One of the core strengths of FileMaker Pro as a productivity tool is the ability to share your databases with other FileMaker Pro users easily. With this, you can put your data in one place and when someone adds or updates a record, everyone else using the database sees the changes.

Controlling Your Mac Remotely From Another Computer

If you use more than one computer nowadays (such as an iMac at your home and a MacBook for work), there may be times that you may want to access it from another location. Or perhaps you would like to monitor a server or a colleague's computer down the hall or in another room in your office. Because of Local- and Wide-Area Networks such as the Internet, this is now easily possible through "Remote Control" or "Screen Sharing" software.

Using Barcodes with FileMaker Pro

Barcodes are typically used in cases where you have to enter a lot of information quickly, and want to avoid data entry errors. A good example would be your supermarket check-out counter or a patient identification tag worn on the wrist. Instead of keying in a long series of letters and numbers for each item, a barcode scanner just scans the code, and it's automatically entered in the computer.

50% Off FileMaker Pro When You Buy FileMaker Go

FileMaker is offering a discount for FileMaker Pro with the purchase of FileMaker Go for iPhone or iPad until March 22, 2012. This is limited to the software download version of the software, availed from the online FileMaker Store.

FileMaker Go for can be purchased at the App Store from your iOS device. The iPhone or iPod Touch version costs US$19.99 and the iPad version costs US$39.99. You'll need at least iOS 4.2 to be able to run this, and you'll need FileMaker Pro to create databases as well.

Once you purchase FileMaker Go, you'll be able to avail of FileMaker Pro 11 for US$149 instead of the usual US$299 list price. Here are more details.

The link above is applicable for North/Latin America, but if you're in the Southeast Asia region (Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong), you can avail of the offer through this link as well.