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.