Customer Rating: 
Summary: Filemaker Pro 6 is great!
Comment: This versatile program is easy to use and yet makes the tech types happy. For the price there is no comparison!Tanya Milligan
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastically Versatile Program!
Comment: To even compare FileMaker Pro with Access is absurd. While FileMaker is not on the order of MySQL or Oracle in terms of speed and power, it is far more flexible and far less expensive than anything else available in this workgroup class of applications for any Windows or Mac environment.
You can start small, with just one or two computers and grow your solution into a fully server-based and remotely managed application. And if you should happen to need to migrate to a "big iron" type Database someday, such as MySql, conversion tools are available that will automate large parts of such a migration - including scripting. There are also a large number of third-party plugins should any other functionality be required down the road.
Importing and exporting data is a snap in just about any format. As for sharing data, FileMaker is unmatched and even includes a small-scale web server function in addition to the "instant web publishing" function.
It's an absolutely wonderful tool for any serious IT person that isn't threatened by a program that most non-IT people can understand.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding. More than most people need.
Comment: I have worked with very large databses (greater than 500 tables in Oracle and SyBase) and very small ones. If you are looking for a db implementation for less than $50,000, your first product to evaluate should be Filemaker. It will probably do all (and more) than you need. Anyone who says that MS Access is easier or more reliable than Filemaker either works for Microsoft or has some other unhelpful bias. Ask users and/or developers to show you databases built in the two products and you will see an enormous difference. The Access ones are likely to be crude and require frequent redevelopment work. The Filemaker ones are likely to be clean, reliable and flexible.If you don't need the huge power of the big guns (Oracle, SyBase, IBM), ignore Filemaker at your own risk.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Outstanding product that empowers users and designers alike!
Comment: Greetings Amazon reviewers..Now that you've read the Microsoft commercial below from:
"Reviewer: A software user from Stratford, CT USA"
Who probably, "needs a kick in the pants!"
Here's the truth, this product has the capabilities for implementing a client / server database network easier than anything currently on the market! And the client / server capabilities are built in! And it doesn't matter if it's based on the PC OR the MAC. Further, once designed and implemented, will work seamlessly with both platforms on the network. Additionally, after extensive research for an insurance client that I just completed designing a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) for, it was BY FAR the least expensive alternative, ESPECIALLY relative to Microsoft. In addition, it has the lowest overhead (computing hardware/software requirements) relative to anything of its capabilities on the market. You can reference these system requirements (along with features) at their web site that really gives a good deal of information. Note these minimum requirements below that most systems/owners can easily handle these days:
(compare these minimum requirements to the latest version of Microsoft's Access or any other database for that matter)
PC
· Intel Compatible 90 MHz Pentium or higher
· 32 MB of RAM (or more)
· Windows 98, Me, NT4 (SP6), 2000, XP
Mac
· Power Mac or higher
· 32 MB of RAM
· OS 8.6 - 9.22
Mac OS X
· Apple G3 or higher
· 128 MB of RAM
· OS X 10.1
The client I was designing for had older PCs using Windows 98SE. Obviously, I used the PC version of the software, which is very similar to the Mac version. If I had decided to implement a Microsoft "solution" it would have involved upgrading not only the hardware but the operating systems too. Then, the cost of the Access copies (licenses) certainly doesn't come cheap either if you haven't compared lately. FoxPro didn't fair any better, SQL Server worse. Especially in a client <==> server design paradigm!
Bottom line, a fully customized relational database designed, developed and deployed on a network in record time with minimal cost to the owner (no new hardware or operating systems) and working from initial installation to this day with minimal database administration. FULLY compatible with either PC or MACs on the network and future operating system upgrades on either platform. Personally, I'm pleased and I know a business that is extremely happy. Win-win situation..
One thing I found rather nice is you can download a 30-day free trial of the basic Filemaker Pro software at their web site to see if it meets your needs - certainly a nice gesture. (filemaker.com)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Filemaker for productivity
Comment: We happen to develop Filemaker database systems for our customers. This product focuses on the productivity and you can in fact have a system working for you benefit in a couple of days. if you have a clear understanding of your bussines no matter what it is , Filemaker gives you the power to gather your data and transform it easily in information. You will soon be making better decisions and at the same time getting yourself in the process of improving your database. Only filemaker allows this. Another point is that Filemaker Customers are happy customers. They are in charge of their Bussineses informations system without having to rely in external , costly "access" consultants.....
