How FileMaker Database Keeps Up-to-Date in the Mobile Era

The company aims to improve on FileMaker 15’s success by adding mobility features, enhancing the platform’s security and improving system-wide performance.

FileMaker 15 comes with some nice enhancements, but it’s still the same database application. FileMaker 15 is designed to allow companies to create custom database apps that can handle tasks, keep track of inventory and much more. FileMaker 15 is a major, under-the-hood upgrade, but it’s not a groundbreaking one that will dramatically change how users employ the platform.

So, what has FileMaker 15 added? One of the key additions is Touch ID support. Those who create mobile apps for the iPhone or iPad can now use Touch ID as a security feature before users can get into apps. It’s an important security add-on—a common theme in FileMaker 15.

Although it took a bit longer for FileMaker to get Touch ID, the platform gained access to 3D Touch support rather quickly. With 3D Touch support now enabled, users can vary how hard they press down on the screen and have the software respond accordingly. It’s an increasingly popular feature in Apple’s mobile products and suggests Apple has committed to it well into the future.

Developers will be happy to hear that FileMaker 15 now comes with in-product updates, as well as support for multiple undo (yes, it’s taken this long to get that feature). In addition, FileMaker has added several new external SQL data sources, including IBM DB2.

FileMaker unveiled a new offering in FileMaker 15 called Starter Solutions. Designed for basic needs, Starter Solutions is designed solely to help users manage contacts, content, inventory or tasks. The service appears to be a great way to get into FileMaker 15.

FileMaker 15 adds some welcome security enhancements to the platform, including a new edit box that will conceal information users might not want displayed on their screens. FileMaker 15 now notifies developers when a user tries to connect to a FileMaker host or Website without a valid security certificate.

It’s important to note that FileMaker Server has received a much-needed (and long-sought-after) security improvement—support for SSL certificates. According to FileMaker, its Server version supports nine different certificate vendors and works with intermediate, SAN and wildcard certificates.

There are some performance and productivity enhancements in FileMaker 15, the company says. Developers will now have a better log to identify performance bottlenecks in their programs and eliminate them. In addition, while building applications, developers will be able to filter and sort data while working on other operations, potentially speeding up development time.

FileMaker 15 comes with a new licensing model that will actually make it easier for development teams to work with the database. According to the company, teams of five or more individuals will be able to license the software far more easily and access the software, FileMaker Go, and FileMaker WebDirect, simultaneously. That will enable developers to test features and communicate in real-time, once again creating a better service to companies.

FileMaker 15 supports the same platforms of old, including Mac OS X and Windows, along with iOS. FileMaker 15 also works on the Internet, where technically, the app could be accessible from other platforms. But getting the platform to work on Android requires jumping through some hoops.