FileMaker Developer 5 Now Available From FileMaker, Inc.
Enables Web and database developers to author custom databases using XML
and other standards
SANTA CLARA, CA – April 24, 2000 – FileMaker, Inc. has announced the
immediate availability of FileMaker Developer 5, the essential tool for
database developers creating powerful FileMaker Pro solutions for
workgroups, the Web or as royalty-free runtime applications. Targeted for
corporate, Web and independent developers at a suggested retail price of
$499 (U.S.), FileMaker Developer 5 contains FileMaker Developer Tool, XML
(Extensible Markup Language) support, and support for data standards
including FileMaker ODBC and JDBC drivers.
FileMaker XML Support
FileMaker, Inc., one of the early adopters of XML, has improved Web
performance and reduced unnecessary network traffic by embracing this
exciting new technology. XML is the new standard for exchanging data in
many important sectors, such as e-commerce and business-to-business data
interchange.
FileMaker Developer 5 supplies documentation and examples for XML as well
as APIs like JDBC, ODBC, CDML and the External Function plug-ins. Last
month, FileMaker launched FileMaker XML Central, a website with
documentation on FileMaker support of XML (www.filemaker.com/xml).
FileMaker XML Central also provides late-breaking news and useful links for
learning about XML and related technologies, like XSL (Extensible Style
Sheets) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).
More than 17,000 corporate and commercial developers create Web, workgroup
and database solutions with FileMaker, including 2,500 registered members
of the FileMaker Solutions Alliance. Developers are praising the new powers
in FileMaker Developer 5:
“By embracing open standards for structuring data, FileMaker makes it
possible to interact with other industry standard tools for information
exchange,” says Jorn Kjosbakken, President, Viventus AS, a leading database
developer based in Norway.
“XML opens FileMaker to all other type of systems supporting XML,” states
Alain Dagenais, M.Sc. Vice-Prsident, Directeur service-conseil, GTI,
Canada, Inc.
“FileMaker Pro 5 with XML demonstrates support for use of ‘open standards’
in the enterprise environment,” notes Steven Blackwell, FileMaker database
developer based in Alexandria, Virginia. “It also is the fastest way to
access dynamic content over the Web. By supporting such standards,
FileMaker shows its commitment to being the leading desktop database for
the enterprise workgroup, for the Web, and beyond.”
Developer Tool
FileMaker Developer Tool allows developers to customize FileMaker Pro
solutions well beyond the scope of typical FileMaker Pro 5 solutions. By
enabling Kiosk mode, developers can transform a standard FileMaker-based
catalog of bridal giftware into a slick, touch-screen Bridal Gift Registry
solution that also completely shields the user from the Mac OS or Windows
operating system. Additionally, the Developer Tool allows developers to
rename files, add permanent passwording to protect valuable databases,
deploy royalty-free runtime solutions and incorporate graphics from a
library of artwork to enhance database interfaces
“With the Developer Tool, renaming the numerous files in a solution is now
easier and faster than ever while retaining relationships” says Albert
Harum-Alvarez, President, Small Company, a Miami-based developer focusing
on customized FileMaker databases for corporate and agency public relations
professionals. “FileMaker once again provides flexibility that no other
database tool has.”
“You can develop and prototype quickly and easily. The FileMaker Developer
Tool makes it very simple to develop a database for end-users to experiment
with,” adds Jesse Feiler, Software Director, Philmont Software Mill,
Philmont, New York.
Support for Standards
In addition to the FileMaker OBDC driver, FileMaker Developer 5 now offers
a new JDBC driver allowing users to create Java applications and applets
using standard Java development tools as front-ends to FileMaker Pro
databases. FileMaker Developer 5 also provides an External Function plug-in
API which allows developers to produce a broad array of functionality
ranging from credit-card verification to scientific and financial
calculations.
FileMaker Pro 5
To further assist cross-platform database developers, owners of FileMaker
Developer 5 receive a copy of FileMaker Pro 5, which they can run on either
Mac OS or Windows platforms.
Requirements and Availability
Starting today, customers in North America may order FileMaker Developer 5
at $499 (U.S. suggested retail price) from the FileMaker store at
http://store.filemaker.com or by calling 1-800-725-2747. Licensed users of
FileMaker Pro 4.0 Developer Edition are eligible for a U.S. $100 or
Canadian $150 mail-in rebate (offer good until December 31, 2000).
Additional discounts available for FileMaker Solutions Alliance members.
Individual copies of FileMaker Developer 5 may be purchased from authorized
FileMaker resellers.
Windows system requirements include the following: For hardware:
Intel-compatible computer 486/33 or later; 16MB of RAM; CD-ROM drive; and
hard disk drive. For software: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0
(Service Pack 3) or Windows 2000; Windows 95/98 with Internet Explorer 4 or
later or Windows NT 4 with Service Pack 3 is required for the runtime
application*. For networking: Microsoft TCP/IP or IPX/SPX network
(FileMaker Pro 5 only).
Macintosh system requirements include the following: For hardware: Power
Macintosh computer; 16MB of RAM; CD-ROM drive; and hard disk drive. For
software: Mac OS version 7.6.1 or later (FileMaker Pro 5 and the runtime
application*) and Mac OS version 8.1 or later (FileMaker Developer Tool
only). For networking: TCP/IP or AppleTalk network (FileMaker Pro 5 only).
JDBC Driver Requirements include the following: JDBC API Compatible Driver:
Browser must be JDK 1.1-compliant. This includes Internet Explorer 4.0 or
greater for Windows or Mac, Netscape 4.0 for Windows with JDK Updates,
Netscape 4.5 for Windows.
For more information on FileMaker Developer 5 and Internet connection
requirements, please visit http://www.filemaker.com/products.
FileMaker, Inc. is a worldwide leader in database solutions for workgroups
and individuals, from the desktop to the Web. Its award-winning FileMaker
Pro line of database software provides relational power, instant and custom
Web publishing and legendary ease-of-use. FileMaker, Inc., is a subsidiary
of Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL).
Customer Contact (for publication purposes): FileMaker Customer Assistance,
1-800-325-2747 http://www.filemaker.com/support/contact.html
http://www.filemaker.com
* Runtime solutions do not support FileMaker Pro Companions and cannot be
shared over the Web, be a guest or host a networked FileMaker Pro database.