The Support Group Blog

There are many practical applications for ChatGPT with a low-code development tool like FileMaker. We've explored a chatbot, image generator, and audio transcription ChatGPT integration with FileMaker. We've also shared an example of using ChatGPT to summarize our notes.

We want to explore how integrating FileMaker and ChatGPT via Claris Connect works. Though not necessarily ideal, we'll use an annual performance review as the foundation for our example. Of course, performance appraisals are highly individualized, so artificial intelligence isn't recommended, but most people can relate to this process's fundamental objectives and structure. We will use it as a simple case to demonstrate the workflow and results.

The ChatGPT wave of innovation continues to roll along. OpenAI has released a new version of ChatGPT, version 4.0. The latest version features a host of back-end improvements and several key front-line upgrades, including real-time multi-lingual support, improved intuitive contextual understanding, and an adjustable personality slider that allows users to adjust the tone and communication style of the artificial intelligence (AI).

It is also multi-modal, which is a fancy way of saying that we can submit images to it as part of a chat or request. So, for example, we can draw a picture of a website diagram and ask it to make the website. It will then give us instructions and sample code for creating that website – all based on a drawing.  

Previously, we've talked about how to integrate FileMaker and QuickBooks Online by first creating an access token and then a refresh token to maintain a secure connection between the applications. These are necessary steps to prepare for the integration, but now we'll turn our attention to moving data between the FileMaker-based solution and QuickBooks Online. But, of course, that's the whole point of the integration anyway.

In the previous post, we set up our QuickBooks Online API account and used the provided bits of information (Client ID and Client Secret) to start the process to create a token. We will use this token going forward to authenticate with the API and push and pull our data. 

We all know our FileMaker solutions don't operate in a vacuum. They need to talk to all sorts of other programs and services to be as productive as possible. For example, one of the most ubiquitous applications in the small and mid-sized business world is QuickBooks. Almost every business needs a bookkeeping/accounting application to ensure the financial portion of their business is running correctly. And integrating FileMaker and QuickBooks Online can help streamline and automate our operations.

With the shift to cloud-based services, like QuickBooks Online, companies are no longer dependent on the traditional model of complex proprietary integration options. Instead, they can pass data back and forth between applications using a standardized Restful API. Because FileMaker also uses Restful API to push and pull data, integrating FileMaker and QuickBooks Online has never been easier.

There are a variety of web services out there to help teams do their work efficiently and effectively. FileMaker and Airtable are just a few go-to solutions for business folks struggling with organizing their time, projects, and people.

Airtable is generally perceived as easy to use. It's an excellent tool to turn to when you're not quite sure what you need, but you know a simple spreadsheet isn't up to the challenge. However, you might want to consider building an application with the FileMaker platform if your requirements include complex data patterns, multi-step workflows, and/or detailed, layered user interfaces. 

Thanks to modern technologies, different users, teams, divisions, etc., in an organization don't necessarily have to use the same tools. And, there are ways to integrate systems so that they share information reliably and securely.

In this article, we'll review how we can establish connections between FileMaker and Airtable.

One of the reasons FileMaker is a superior Workplace Innovation Platform is because of its integration capabilities. When our clients/prospective clients ask us if FileMaker can connect with other applications, my immediate answer is yes! But I think the better question to ask is: "how easily can the FileMaker Platform connect with other applications?" FileMaker offers many ways to integrate with other technologies. I myself have found very few limitations in terms of connecting a FileMaker application with other applications. As FileMaker, Inc. (FMI) releases new versions of the product, the integration capabilities expand. We've been able to connect FileMaker applications with other applications via ODBC/JDBC, live external data sources, PHP/XML APIs and flexible import/export options for many years. And now we have other integration functions like Data API (REST), cURL options in Insert from URL, native JSON functions as well as many JSON specific custom functions and a FileMaker and Tableau integration via a Tableau connector.

As you may know, The Support Group has been offering FileMaker consulting services for over 30 years. So when it came to finding the best software platform to run nearly every aspect of our business, where did we turn? To the FileMaker Platform, of course!

We needed a framework for tracking our sales leads and customers, managing our projects, invoicing our production plus layers and layers of reporting. Our Vice President of Technology, Vince Dolan, was given the herculean task of architecting and building the system we affectionately call, Harry.  The name was inspired by a dog from the animated television series, Stanley.

In my humble opinion, the FileMaker platform integration with Tableau is pretty amazing! Tableau greatly simplifies how you run reports, create dashboards, display geographic mapping and more using your FileMaker data. The new FileMaker Data API in FileMaker 16, the Tableau Web Data Connector, and the fact that both support REST APIs in JSON formats make this integration possible. Being able to connect to third-party applications, or have third party applications connect to your database is an exciting new development for the FileMaker platform as a product and for FileMaker users in general.

Behind the Gloss

Gloss Studio provides photo re-touching services to a number of well-known brands within the fashion and beauty industry. An eye for detail and quality are essential in this line of business, but running the business as smoothly as possible is also important. A lot goes into creating the attractive images we see in marketing materials, a lot of communication, that is. Once the photos are received from the photographers, there is a slew of messages between the producers and re-touchers at Gloss Studio as they turn raw images into digitally re-touched works of art. Documenting, tracking and reporting the work became cumbersome within FileMaker Pro and so they asked The Support Group to help organize and streamline some of their workflows.