We’ve all been there as FileMaker developers: we get a new client who needs a relatively simple request. A small application for a specific use case. Then you get another request to extend the system. And another. Before you know it, that simple structure has grown to monstrous proportions — and what was once a smart, agile little database now feels slow and stodgy. At which point we say to ourselves: if only we’d known it was going to be this big, we would have built it differently.
Gutchess Lumber Company (GLC), based in upstate New York, has been a client of The Support Group for almost a decade. They are a high-end hardwood lumber manufacturer with seven locations across the region - multiple sawmills and two kiln drying facilities. Primarily a business to business operation, they supply wood products to furniture, paneling and flooring materials companies around the world. GLC manages the whole supply chain - logging, milling, grading, and then drying the lumber - before selling it.
Once a year, Claris puts on a party for all of us FileMaker geeks. It’s called Claris Engage, and folks from all over the world gather in one place to nerd out about FileMaker. I got to meet people from Australia, France, Japan and Rhode Island. It’s a great time to see people from the community that you typically only interact with online, and hear about all the new things that Claris is up to. You can read the conference highlights from Claris here.
For most organizations, the data driving their business is undoubtedly one of the most valuable assets it has. Think of it like a treasure that should be protected, kept inside a locked safe from days gone by - a place that only the right people with the right key or combination or password could get to and use.
Here at The Support Group, we’ve been working with FileMaker for a long time – 40 years! But, just like in any other long-term relationship, it’s a good idea to step back and remember why we fell in love in the first place. We sat down with three of our System Engineers to discuss how they started using FileMaker, what made them fall in love initially, and why they still love it today.
Many years ago I was teaching an introduction to FileMaker class for folks that knew nothing about the product, or even database technology in general. When we started talking about the ability to sort records one student became visibly agitated. I asked if there was anything wrong.
Here at The Support Group, we practice what we preach. Our team of highly skilled developers have built and enhanced countless FileMaker applications for our clients, but what happens if a need arises for one of our own? Read on to learn how Nancy, a Systems Engineer here at TSG, leveraged the FileMaker technology we use every single day to build a database of her own.
Perhaps the most anticipated new features in FileMaker 2024 are the advanced integrations using artificial intelligence. Users can leverage their existing data in new ways with these AI capabilities: query data using natural language through the new semantic search feature, improve workflow efficiency with AI, and gain new insights and trends with company data. One of the main goals of using a database is to turn your data into information, and these new AI abilities can allow you to greatly expand the amount of information you can gain from your data.
Empire State Properties (ESP) is a full-service real estate company that provides sales, rental, and management services for hundreds of New York City property owners. Suzanne Miller founded the company in 1991 and has been going strong since. ESP takes pride in the stature of its properties and the clientele it services. Many of the residences offer luxury accommodations and amenities that leverage the beauty and convenience of living in New York City. And the properties offer a variety of options in terms of layouts, furnishings, leasing options, etc.
Owners and investors rely upon ESP to manage and find tenants for their apartments on both short-term and long-term bases. In addition to lease management services, ESP offers various related services, including housekeeping, finances, and other apartment utilities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, cable television, and linens. Each residence is unique and offers individualized leasing terms and amenities to occupants. There are quite a number of details that ESP has to track and handle professionally and efficiently. As such, ESP turned to technology and The Support Group to help them with their lease management software.
