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We have worked with FileMaker Pro for a number of years and find it to be an excellent tool for developing powerful databases. It is a fully relational database with a user friendly front end which avoids the need of external programming.
The main advantages we see in FileMaker compared to its competitors are:
Because of the graphic nature of FileMaker creating a simple database is no more difficult than designing a printed form. Ideas can be turned into fully functional easy to use databases very quickly allowing concepts to be tried
Adding or modifying fields to a view on an existing database can usually be carried out in-house after basic training, avoiding the need of hiring external developers and thereby providing a significant cost saving.
FileMaker is one of the few programs which really is truly Mac and PC compatible. Databases written on the PC can be opened and run on the Mac and visa-versa and can be shared on both platforms at the same time
On the Macintosh FileMaker supports AppleTalk and IP while on the PC it supports IP. For multiplatform use IP is recommended as it is one of the most efficient (and therefore faster) networking protocols.
FileMaker supports an extensive range of file formats which t can import and export, everything from Comma Separated Text (cst) to Excel. An additional feature in the latest version of FileMaker (version 4.1) is that ability to link to and download records from ODBC databases such as Oracle. FileMaker can open MS Excel files directly and with the new plug-in for Office 98 recently released for the Mac Work and Excel 98 can access FileMaker files directly!!
Version 4.0 and higher have built in Web Servers allowing databases to be accessed by common web browsers. FileMaker can automatically generate it's own web pages although for a more user friendly front end it's better to design the pages using HTML.
CA Systems has developed a number of solutions for clients based around FileMaker. Because of the ease with which FileMaker can be tailored for a particular need all our solutions are written to a customers specifications. Three examples of our work are given below:
Office Hotelling System |
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| With office space a major expense in large cities there is the requirement in certain companies such as management consultancies for employees to have shared workspaces. A flexible hotelling system was developed for a large international management consultancy to allow office reception and secretaries to reserve offices and workstations for staff on a daily basis up to a week in advance. The system was linked to the office telephone list so staff can be easily located and into the office e-mail system for electronic confirmation of bookings. As part of the companies auditing system the archived data was also used to generate occupancy rates to allow a check as to whether office space is being used effectively. |  |
Courier Request System |
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| Using FileMaker running with its internal web server, a courier booking form has been developed. Accessed via a web browser a courier request form is completed and an e-mail automatically sent to the appropriate person to allow them to phone and arrange a courier. If the courier company has e-mail access the system can be adapted to send the request electronically to them. The sender also receives an automatic e-mail confirming their request. The advantage of using a FileMaker based system is that every request is automatically stored as an electronic record in the database allowing for easy accounting. |  |
Estate Agency Database |
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| This is a database designed for stand-alone use in estate agents to allow customers to conduct their own search for properties. Using pictures taken with a digital camera, house details can be easily entered into the database. Imperial room sizes are automatically converted to metric and once details are complete clicking on the appropriate button automatically generates a OEsales prospectus¹. An additional feature allow the records to be exported directly as HTML for use on a company web site . |  |
If you would like further details about our services , any of the above systems or would like to talk to us about your specific requirements please e-mail us at carl_pereira@casystems.co.uk or phone us on (44) 1480 839029.
If you are not UK based it's not a problem! We are used to working with clients remotely and currently have clients in the US and Far East!!
FileMaker Pro is the registered name of FileMaker Inc. in the USA
