FileMaker 13 launches, enabling custom solutions for iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the web

FileMaker unveiled the next-generation platform for business productivity: FileMaker 13. The new software makes it even faster and easier than ever for teams to create gorgeous, tailored business solutions for iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the web that deliver significant productivity gains.

FileMaker has always made powerful and intuitive database applications on Macs and PCs as well as for iOS. The Apple subsidiary is taking things to a whole new level with their FileMaker 13 platform which is launching today for iPad, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the Web.

I got to experience a demo of FileMaker 13 a few weeks ago in downtown Toronto. The use case demoed was that of a typical small to medium sized business, in my case, an art gallery with multiple branches.

The demo showed how FileMaker could be used to create a tailor-made interface for the iPad, a PC and a Mac as well as any web browser. From this interface we were able to look at an artist’s collection, see the availability and pricing of the artwork as well as see how changes to every aspect of the database could be made in a few easy steps.

FileMaker 13’s power is its simplicity. All the tools are available for anyone to create specific iPad or iPhone based solutions without writing a single line of code.

“With FileMaker 13, any team can quickly create custom solutions that streamline their business processes while minimizing design time,” said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and services for FileMaker, Inc. “The FileMaker 13 Platform gives organizations even more options for delivering powerful but easy-to-use solutions, including breakthrough web technology, along with impressive new design tools for iOS and desktops.”

When you take into consideration the ability to access these solutions via any HTML5 compatible browser, you see the power of cloud computing as well as FileMaker 13’s superb range and customization. FileMaker WebDirect enables this powerful yet secure deployment of template-based or tailor made solutions.

FileMaker 13 includes more than 50 new features. Chief among them are:

• FileMaker WebDirect, an entirely new, HTML5 browser-based technology that allows teams to create and deploy desktop-style solutions in a web browser with no programming skills required.  

• Tools to create amazing iPad and iPhone solutions that support even more iOS behaviors, including slide controls, popovers and the ability to scan records using gestures.  iPad and iPhone layouts can now be created in one step; and iOS solutions can include single-click capture of bar codes using on-device cameras and custom keyboards that speed data entry.

• Major improvements to design capabilities, including support for shareable custom themes and styles, and the ability to drag and drop data fields onto design layouts.

• More robust security, with AES 256-bit encryption that locks down data no matter where it lives – on iPad, iPhone, desktop or server.  FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced is used to enable encryption.

• Dozens of new enhancements for solution developers, from the ability to hide or display objects on a screen based on business logic to easier integration with web applications.

• Simplified server administration, including an entirely new HTML5 administrative console in FileMaker Server 13 for managing business solutions from anywhere.

All FileMaker 13 Platform software is available immediately. Monthly prices start at US$9 for FileMaker Pro; US$15 for FileMaker Pro Advanced, and US$29 for FileMaker Server under the FileMaker Annual Volume License Agreement, which is billed annually (minimum quantities apply).

Traditional software licenses are also available starting at US$329 for new FileMaker Pro 13 licenses and US$179 for FileMaker Pro 13 upgrades.

The FileMaker Go for iPad and iPhone App is free from the iTunes App Store™. Server concurrent connections for FileMaker Go or FileMaker WebDirect are priced at US$25 per 5-pack per month, and are available from FileMaker and software resellers.