FileMaker Pro 5.5

Other products by Filemaker Inc.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005JTBU
• Item model number: 321100U
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 14, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,940 in Software (See Bestsellers in Software)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Software > Programming > Database > Filemaker
  #54 in	Software > Business & Office > Database
  #70 in	Software > Programming > Programming Languages

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review
Whether you're transitioning from spreadsheets to more versatile databases or looking for a powerful database program even non-geeks will love, it's hard to beat FileMaker Pro 5.5. Designed with plenty of input from users, third-party developers, and OS mavens, it is one of the simplest, most flexible data management systems available.

Cross-platform interoperability extends from Mac OS X to Windows 2000, Red Hat Linux, handhelds, and beyond. With a broad range of ready-built business templates and strong import features (like drag and drop from Microsoft Excel), the typical user will be up and running on the first day, sharing data over intranets, LANs, or the Web. SQL queries are a snap, as are ODBC exchange and instant publishing--all new features that were built in after listening to input from FileMaker Pro users. The graphics are slick and easy to customize, and users won't have many surprises when they publish their work; in this case, what you see really is what you get.

Despite its relative simplicity and promises of ease of use, newcomers to FileMaker Pro should expect to spend more than a few hours exploring and familiarizing themselves with the features. Those with no database experience will have a tougher time, but persistence pays off and the rewards are well worth the effort (the online help and customer service support should make this process a little sweeter). Additional incentives include record-level security, added scripting steps, and easy send-mail options.

Nobody ever said managing a business was simple, but FileMaker Pro 5.5 will take a load off your mind. --Rob Lightner

Amazon.com Product Description
FileMaker Pro combines powerful information management and surprising ease of use. It handles all business data-management needs, including job tracking, asset management, inventory, customer information, and payroll, over the company intranet, local area networks (LANs), or even wired or wireless handhelds.

This version of FileMaker Pro has many enhancements based on input from users, IT management, and third-party developers. It can now query databases based on field, and features a new Execute SQL script step, as well as a revamping of the Instant Web Publishing that allows users to publish in the same format as their FileMaker Pro files, without writing any code.

The Web Companion translates a number of multistep scripts, providing a high degree of fidelity between PC-hosted FileMaker Pro databases and those published on the Web. You can also import specific-named ranges of Microsoft Excel data, a useful feature if there is more than one row of description or label data above the actual datasheet data to be imported. With a new multithreaded, built-in HTTP server, the processing capability of FileMaker Pro delivers faster response times for all requests including static data and image displays. Web Companion now supports buttons in headers and footers, sorting by clicking column headers and uniform row heights.

This version will enable data access control to individual records: users can specify comprehensive calculation formulae to restrict browsing, editing, or deleting records, based on the user's password. A new interface has been introduced so that FileMaker Server guests can now remain connected even if they have been idle. This prevents users from being disconnected from a file that is being hosted on the Internet by a client that is being used as a Web server.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best database program. Ever., July 31, 2001

By	J. Myrick "juliafair" (Pasadena, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am used to using Excel and Access to satisfy my database needs. Most of the time I simply need to create a sheet to print labels on. I'm always amazed by the excruciating amount of time Excel and Access require to do this task.

Filemaker is so much easier. It's intuitive, straightforward, and easy to manipulate. I was able to create my own personal database template within thirty minutes of being introduced to the program. It's that straightforward. It's sort and search utilities are clean and easy to use, as is it's label program. A friend recommended this program to me as the ultimate consumer database tool, and I agree.

The best ever!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best and most versatile database package for small business, November 8, 2001

By	V. Vanderbent "always curious" (Riverdale, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This program allows me to effortlessly create simple and complex databases, and expand their functionality in numerous ways (if only I had the time to do the latter!). Extremely versatile, easy to use, a hit with all my clients. When I get people to respond with "this is so exciting" about a database package, I know that something's up. Filemaker had done a great job improving an already stellar package. Combined with the thousands of plug-ins available, make this the best investment I have made for my consulting practice.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What you Want is What you Get, June 23, 2001

By	TJ "[e-mail]" (FL) - See all my reviews

Someone invented the term, What you see is what you get... to me that implies that someone else decided what you wanted to get... With FileMaker Pro, what you want is what you get, you decide... it is one of the most configurable and supportable applications I have tried in over 30 years of computing experience.