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Claris FileMaker

Score8.1 out of 10

174 Reviews and Ratings

What is Claris FileMaker?

Claris' FileMaker is presented as a Workplace Innovation Platform, and is used to create a custom app. Manual processes can be automated with Claris FileMaker Pro, and apps can be created to manage contacts, track inventory, organize projects, etc.

Top Performing Features

  • Platform Security

    Security guardrails in place to help prevent malware, data breaches etc.

    Category average: 8.5

  • Platform Scalability

    Apps developed by low-code platform must be scalable and capable of supporting large numbers of users

    Category average: 8.5

  • Reusability

    An internal repository where assets, modules, and even entire applications can be reused

    Category average: 8.8

Areas for Improvement

  • Platform User Management

    Tools enabling admins to control user access and on-board and off-board users

    Category average: 8.3

  • Visual Modeling

    Visual modeling tooling allows business users to design processes visually.

    Category average: 7.6

  • Drag-and-drop Interfaces

    Drag-and-drop interface for building applications

    Category average: 8.5

Almost heaven

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I build database apps in Claris FileMaker Pro for my clients who depend on my technical and graphics expertise to deliver the best possible solution that meets their timeline and budgetary requirements.

Pros

  • Cross platform
  • Excellent server
  • Worldwide developer network
  • Been in business for 40 years

Cons

  • In my opinion, Engineering too slow to fix bugs and reported issues
  • Licensing is too prohibitive for many customers
  • In my opinion, too many experienced company staff have been replaced by novices

Return on Investment

  • It became my primary source of income 25 years ago
  • As a subsidiary of Apple I don't worry about them staying in business
  • I can leverage my graphics ability to build beautiful user experiences
  • I can develop unique niche products that are not available elsewhere

Usability

Other Software Used

Adobe Illustrator CC, Adobe PhotoShop

FileMaker Pro absolutely rocks!

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

A true relational database that is easy to construct and maintain is an invaluable asset to any organization. We actively use over a dozen databases from the simple (address book, purchase order, etc) to the most complex ones that inter-relate location header, registered members, and invoicing.

Pros

  • Customised reporting
  • Security profiles
  • Quick and simple database creation

Cons

  • 'Find' is very good but could use some work
  • Pivot Table like Excel has would be helpful

Return on Investment

  • Positive: Ease of DB design and short user learning curve allows for fast and inexpensive deployment of solutions.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Access and Caspio

Other Software Used

QuarkXPress, BeyondTrust Remote Support, Microsoft 365

Easy to customize!

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Claris FileMaker in so many ways, it’s our registration system, SaaS, CRM and provides reports.

Pros

  • Reports
  • Calculations
  • CRM

Cons

  • Connecting to a smaller localized database

Return on Investment

  • We are able to view customer history easily

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Google Sheets

Other Software Used

Oracle Analytics Cloud, airSlate SignNow

Filemaker Review

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use this to distribute scholarships to students and a way to organize how we are distributing our budgets towards admitted students

Pros

  • organize
  • reports
  • customization

Cons

  • it seems a little archaic
  • some of the tabs are hard to toggle
  • seems a little outdated

Return on Investment

  • budgetting
  • enables faster scholarship decisions
  • able to organize students

Usability

Alternatives Considered

SAP Concur

Other Software Used

Emburse Chrome River Invoice, SAP Concur, Slate for Admissions

Filemaker, making life simple

Pros

  • Reporting is very easy and managers setup their own custom reports.
  • The layout tool is very WYSIWIG and simple to master.
  • The scripting is very straight forward with very little programming understanding required.

Cons

  • The online SaaS versions are still a bit slow.
  • Would love to see true SaaS services.
  • Built-in Adwords and similar integration, typical of other SaaS tools

Return on Investment

  • Filemaker is very stable so very little downtime.
  • Filemaker is easy to master on user and manager level - so very little training required.
  • Online resources, assisting with basic operations are so extensive that one easily find solutions.