FM Starter 2.9 released

FM Starter 2.9 released

Buyers with an active license can immediately download the latest version from the download area on their account


26. July 2023In FM StarterBy Karsten Risseeuw1 Minutes

Adjustments were made for the following areas:

  • DeepL Translations
  • Navigation
  • User login
  • Backup plug-in settings
  • Various bug fixes and improvements

Download the latest update

The latest update for FM Starter is now available for download. If you have an active license (not older than one year), you can download the latest version directly from the download area of your account on fmstarter.com.

Start file for new FileMaker projects

FM Starter is a proven startup file for new FileMaker projects. Included are both a project structure and a set of basic functions that are needed in almost every FileMaker project. These include dynamic navigation, multilingual text labels, user management and many more. The startup file significantly shortens the development time for new projects while providing a good insight into many FileMaker techniques. FM Starter is therefore also suitable as a learning project for FileMaker novices. Developers can use this file immediately as a starting point or add their own functions to it first.

FM Starter is available as a standalone product or as part of the FM Developer Bundle.


Dynamic navigation in FileMaker

Dynamic navigation in FileMaker

This solution is based on a navigation table and can be used globally


Over the years we developed several navigation systems in FileMaker. This is the third generation and the sample file explains the principle.

FileMaker does not support navigation by itself. There are controls, like buttons, that you can use. However, if you had to manually set up navigation buttons on every page, it would soon become confusing. Can you do better?

Requirements:

  • Manage navigation in a table
  • Use navigation globally and without relations

The navigation concept

This solution explains the concept and shows the basic structure. All entries for the navigation are managed in a table in a first step. In a second step the entries are written with a script into the repetitions of global text fields. From there, the information can be used as desired. In a final step, a button bar is prepared so that the navigation can be displayed and used in it. The button bar can be copied to any page and works everywhere on the first try.

Screenshots:

The expanded version is available in FM Starter

If you are looking for an already implemented and extended solution, you will find it in our product “FM Starter“. The concept of this sample file is implemented there and greatly expanded. The navigation can be easily configured, has different levels and is multilingual from the ground up. FM Starter is a startup file for new FileMaker projects and greatly simplifies and speeds up the process of setting up new projects.

Dynamic Navigation 3
Dynamic Navigation 3

[English] Example of a dynamic navigation in FileMaker, which can be used globally through your application. No relationships needed. This file explains the basics and can be easily implemented in your solution. If you need a ready-to-go solution with strong enhanced functionality, check out our product FM Starter, a starter file for new FileMaker projects. FM Starter shortens your development time by months.

Requires FileMaker Pro 19.6 or newer to open the file. If you work with an older version, use a trial version of FileMaker to open the file, then downgrade. It is using UUIDnumber for each record as a primary key, but you can overcome that easily if required. The technique as showed is universal.


[German] Beispiel für eine dynamische Navigation in FileMaker, die global in Ihrer Anwendung verwendet werden kann. Keine Beziehungen erforderlich. Diese Datei erklärt die Grundlagen und kann leicht in Ihre Lösung implementiert werden. Wenn Sie eine fertige Lösung mit stark erweiterter Funktionalität benötigen, schauen Sie sich unser Produkt FM Starter an, eine Einstiegsdatei für neue FileMaker-Projekte. FM Starter verkürzt Ihre Entwicklungszeit um Monate.

Erfordert FileMaker Pro 19.6 oder neuer zum Öffnen der Datei. Wenn Sie mit einer älteren Version arbeiten, verwenden Sie eine Testversion von FileMaker, um die Datei zu öffnen, und führen Sie dann ein Downgrade durch. Sie verwendet UUIDnumber für jeden Datensatz als Primärschlüssel, aber das können Sie bei Bedarf leicht umgehen. Die gezeigte Technik ist universell.

Size: 492 kB
Version: 3.0

FrankCRM 1.4 released

FrankCRM 1.4 released

Bugfixes and new functions


6. July 2023In FrankCRMBy Karsten Risseeuw3 Minutes

About three weeks ago, FrankCRM was released in a first version. Since then, there have been regular small updates to meet the requests and feedback from early adopters. Version 1.4 now adds even new features.

New functions

How to create a trial version has been completely redesigned to make the settings clearer to manage. Corresponding settings pages have been added to the developer dashboard for the full version of FrankCRM.

There are now two ways to control access to the software in the full version:

  1. Trial version (new)
    Here we are talking about a few parameters and a simple limitation. This is perfect for simply creating a trial version. We recommend using FileMaker’s developer tools to export a trial version without administration. This makes the delivery of a trial version particularly easy and secure.
  2. FM Registrations
    FrankCRM is based on FM Starter and therefore has an integrated unlock module for FM Registrations. FM Registr ations is an optional product that can be used to create activation codes for your own FileMaker solutions. They can be easily decoded in FrankCRM and the information can be integrated as desired.

Both options are available in a full version of FrankCRM.

When creating a product, you can activate automatic generation of article numbers and product description. This is where discrepancies arose. The implementation has been simplified and improved.

Bugfixes

After the first release, new versions were released almost daily. This was used to counter initial feedback. In the free version, a few scripts did not work as they should. All of this has been cleaned up. In particular, it was about these two things:

  • The navigation of buttons led to wrong pages
  • An automatic creation of article numbers led to frequent number changes.

These two bugs have been fixed. The version runs stable and is so in use.

Download

An update to the current version is recommended for every user. If you have already received a download link, you can use the same link to download the latest version. The full version is a different file and can be downloaded directly from the order.

If you do not have a download link yet, you can request one here:

FrankCRM

FileMaker Magazine Community Award 2023

FileMaker Magazine Community Award 2023

Recognition for commitment to the Swiss FileMaker community


25. June 2023In NewsBy Karsten Risseeuw1 Minutes

The German-speaking FileMaker Conference was held this year in Basel, Switzerland. The days were filled with lectures, meetings and many good ideas for the development with FileMaker.

FileMaker Conference 2023 in Basel

Images: © Karsten Risseeuw

Awards

Every year, the German FileMaker Magazin presents various awards. I was able to receive one of this year’s awards myself (thank you for the honor!). It was the Community Award for the commitment to the Swiss FileMaker community, especially to the website filemaker-kompetenz.ch.

The German language website filemaker-kompetenz.ch mentions brief information about interesting FileMaker news and applications. The website also features various FileMaker developers from the country quadrangle of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany.

On the website, you can subscribe to a newsletter that sends a brief summary of last month’s posts on the first of each new month.

filemaker-competence.ch

More awards

There were several awards at once. FileMaker Magazine mentions all awards here:


Download new versions of FrankCRM

Download new versions of FrankCRM

Data from older versions can be easily imported


19. June 2023In FrankCRMBy Karsten Risseeuw1 Minutes

Updates and upgrades are important. How to download the latest versions?

Download

New versions of FrankCRM are made available through the same links used to obtain products. You don’t have to request a new download if you still have the link.

  • Free version: Here you use the same link that you received for the first download. You create a new request via:
  • Full version: This is downloaded directly from your order. All products come with 1 year of free downloads included. After that, the downloads for the full version expire. Renewal at a discounted price is possible.

Import of the old data

When downloading a new version of FrankCRM, the data from the last file can be easily imported. The function is located on the left side of the menu, as an option for the administrator. You open the new version and close the old version. After that select “Import data” on the “Import” layout.

The import runs fully automatically. However, keep in mind that the import only takes into account the tables that are included in the original version of FrankCRM. If you want to import your own tables later, this requires development effort.


Build your own business software with FileMaker and FrankCRM

Create your own business software with FileMaker and FrankCRM

The story behind the development of FrankCRM


15. June 2023In FrankCRMBy Karsten Risseeuw12 Minutes

Can you develop software yourself? With FileMaker you can. I did it that way myself. However, it all started with an open FileMaker solution that I once bought and then customized for my needs. That was the best decision I made at the beginning of my self-employment. This is the story behind the development of FrankCRM.

How I built my business with FileMaker

When I started my own business, I didn’t want to be a developer. I have distributed products and created services. I realized that my activities could not be covered by any standard software. Therefore, I was looking for a solution that was freely available and that I could customize. That’s how I ended up with FileMaker and an open FileMaker solution. She was particularly helpful to me – and later to my team.

Some of my tasks were special and were not covered by any standard software. However, because I was using an open FileMaker solution, I was able to add fields, customize scripts, and create new layouts. Those were my first steps with FileMaker and I benefited enormously from the ease of use. In parallel, I built up my business and optimized the software for it. I was new to FileMaker development, but was able to use it to boost efficiency for many business processes.

Over the years, the requirements became higher and new business areas were added. Many businesses are in this development. The original FileMaker solution reached its limits. The foundation was excellent, but for my work and with the developments in the software field, I could think of better solutions.

The development of standard solutions

The first FileMaker solutions I developed for my own company were not very professional. Over time, that changed. Certain approaches proved successful, while others did not. I learned (and continue to learn) a lot from other FileMaker developers. A solid development base and a great deal of experience were created, which made it possible to bring various standard solutions to maturity and to market and maintain them over the years.

Due to this intensive examination of FileMaker, a start file for new FileMaker projects was created. It should help to get new projects off the ground more quickly. This resulted in a product: FM Starter. In this startup file basic functions were implemented, which are needed for almost every FileMaker project. This included a navigation, multilingualism, user management and these things more. It is these “invisible things” that take a particularly long time to develop.

FM Starter is the abbreviation for professional development. Because, hand on heart, who wants to deal with the same basic requirements over and over again? The startup file combines some proven solutions as a stable starting point.

What should be the next step?

The open standard solution I always wanted to have

While FM Starter is still being further developed, the idea for a new product was also born. I noticed that many users use FM Starter as a basis for their own business software. They wanted the same thing as I once wanted myself: An open FileMaker file that comes with a good basis, but which can be customized and developed further.

I had once developed a CRM and ERP solution that had “everything” in it. It had stood the test of time because it covered everything I ever needed. The solution was also successfully sold.

Times changed, however, and with them technological opportunities and, as a consequence, my business. Not everything I had ever developed was more relevant. Now it was no longer a matter of developing new skills, but of better shaping the core of the activity. “Reduce to the max” became the watchword. This was accompanied by ideas such as modular development, the separation of functionality and parameterization, and the possibilities of FileMaker add-ons. The insight here is that new, pioneering concepts can be used to build better solutions that are easier to add to.

Slowly, the idea of an open FileMaker solution for typical business processes matured. It was to be a solution that I myself had once ardently desired. However, the software should not “be able to do everything”. Having many functions has only proven itself in daily practice to a limited extent. Due to the many changes in business processes, a simple configuration seemed much more significant. This should make you better prepared for future changes in the business process.

Good concepts are flexible and can be easily adapted. If you work with good concepts right from the start, you save a lot of time and effort in further development.

Rethinking concepts

Examples

Language

If you develop a software solution with FileMaker, you can write texts directly into the layout. You can also populate value lists with “Yes” and “No” and many other texts. But what if you need a second or even third language? Then you would have to develop a system for that and retroactively build that into an already grown software solution. Even if you only need one language, it’s far more efficient to use a language manager for text labels that can be easily expanded as needed. And value lists can be populated with numbers that are and remain language-independent, while the texts are allowed to remain separate from a separate language system. While we’re on the subject of language: Wouldn’t it make sense to be able to set the user interface language separately from a document language? Or to be able to flexibly set language preferences directly per country, customer and document?

Value added tax

Value added tax is another matter of detail. It is straightforward to hard-code the correct VAT rate into a script or calculation. In case of a change or diversification of VAT rates, or if one wants to export products without VAT at all, changes and exceptions have to be integrated. This is costly, not to mention multiple VAT rates within one invoice. Retrofitting such options later is again extremely costly. Wouldn’t it make more sense to include all options from the beginning and in an easily configurable way? About a few simple lists of values? And wouldn’t it be ingenious if default values remained adjustable per country, customer and invoice?

Expiration dates

More and more products or services are “subscribed to” or service contracts are agreed for a certain period of time. This is almost a basic requirement. Wouldn’t it be helpful if you could define a start and end date for each invoice item, and specify that you want to be reminded before the expiration date? While you’re at it, a small workflow should help you quickly email these reminder dates to customers with a bit of information. A basic workflow may not solve every requirement, but can be adapted relatively easily. In any case, it is helpful if such a reminder is sent right away in the customer’s language. This is where the language management comes into play again, which is integrated here right away.

For an open and flexible solution, the concepts that are consistently and configurably implemented and used are crucial. So, step by step, I ended up with the standard solution I always wanted.

FrankCRM as a basis

The standard FrankCRM solution provides a basis for charging customers for products or services. It is possible to work with it immediately. If you download the software in the morning, you can send your first invoices the same day.

FrankCRM was built in such a way that as many settings as possible are freely configurable via normal layouts. This simplifies the adaptation to your own needs.

“Configuring is easier than programming.”

With a full version you get full access to the file. This makes FrankCRM a perfect basis for your own further development. FrankCRM is not only a business software, but also a development base, with a proven project structure and many generic tools that can be used for further development.

Less is more

FrankCRM is limited to a few areas. This is chosen on purpose. The problem with many CRM solutions is that they seem cluttered. You have “everything,” so to speak, but those who don’t need “everything” or need to make adjustments “everywhere” face an often daunting task. Can “much” also mean “too much”?

FrankCRM is equipped with many options, but remains clear and focused. This is good for small companies that may never need more. Others, however, want to drive further development. As a startup file for new industry solutions, FrankCRM offers a versatile and proven foundation without ballast.

Less is more.

Further development can be done by the user or, if required, an external developer can be hired. What freedom in development do you have in mind?

Discover FrankCRM

FrankCRM (free version)

FrankCRM (free version)

A free business software based on FileMaker, with limitations


FrankCRM is a flexible business software for FileMaker Pro. On this page you can download the free version. Those who have purchased a full version can download it directly from their own account at fmstarter.com.

There are 3 versions

Free trial license

Free and time unlimited version of FrankCRM. You can use this version as it is, but it cannot be developed further.

Possibilities

  • Ideal solution for micro companies and freelancers
  • Can be used indefinitely
  • Can be updated to new versions
  • Limited trial version for the purchasable licenses
  • Idea treasure trove for developers (here you go)

Restrictions

  • 1 user
  • max. 20 addresses
  • no developer access

Standard license

This is a full version that can also be developed further. There are no restrictions on what you can do. An open FileMaker file is supplied.

Possibilities

  • Open FileMaker solution
  • 1 year of free new versions
  • FM Starter integrated in version 2.x
  • Any number of users*
  • Any number of languages*
  • Developer dashboard with especially many additional setting options
  • Solution also runs in FileMaker network
  • Perfect start file for an industry solution developed in-house.

* Only depending on possibilities in FileMaker.

Restrictions

  • License for 1 end user (company)
  • No resale possible.

Sales license

This is a full version, like the standard license, with the same possibilities. Unlike the standard license, this license allows resale as part of your further development.

If you are a FileMaker developer developing an industry solution, for example, you can use FrankCRM as part of this development and can sell as many of your own licenses as you like with the sales license.

Possibilities

  • All options of the standard license
  • Cheapest solution if you need several licenses for your own company
  • Can be resold as part of a further development (!) by the license holder as often as desired

Restrictions

  • License for 1 developer (or development company)
  • No restrictions on resale as long as FrankCRM is only used as the basis of a standalone development.

FrankCRM is a modern, easily expandable FileMaker solution for new business applications. Unlike solutions that try to do “everything”, only the basis is offered here. This enables rapid further development and many things can already be conveniently configured via settings pages.

Documentation and download

Set up the QuickFind module in FM Starter

Set up the QuickFind module in FM Starter

Tips from practice and a hidden function


27. April 2023In FM Starter, ModulesBy Karsten Risseeuw6 Minutes

The QuickFind module in FM Starter is a simple generic search that works on any layout without further customization. The module works with the Quick Find in FileMaker. Here are some tips and tricks on how to work better with it.

Quick Find Module

The QuickFind module is used everywhere in FM Starter. There is also a dedicated module page found via the developer dashboard > modules > QuickFind module.

The module can be used everywhere

The module is generic. You can simply copy one of the two finished bars and paste it on any page. There is a variant with text buttons and a variant with icons.

Setup directly in the layout

The QuickFind module of FM Starter is based on the Quick Find function of FileMaker. This is generic. The module searches over all fields of a layout for which the Quick Find option has been enabled. When you click on a field, you can enable or disable the option under Inspector > Data > Include field for Quick Find.

When the search becomes slow

If the search becomes slow, it may be due to several reasons. Usually it is either a particularly large amount of data, or computationally intensive fields are included in the quick search. Both can lead to massive delays.

How can this be optimized?

Interface
The QuickFind module has a button to the left of the search field. If the switch is set to “green”, then a search is performed for each input. This is after each letter that is written. A search term of 7 letters is therefore searched for 7 times. If you switch the function to “red”, you can first write the word, then click on the search icon (magnifying glass) to trigger the search.

Quick Find Select Fields
By far the best option for optimization is careful selection of the fields that should be considered for quick search. This can be defined in the layout mode for each field. The simplest way is to first select all objects on a page and then deactivate them altogether. After that you can activate the important fields specifically for the quick search.

Avoid calculation fields and summary fields as much as possible. Likewise, you should hide the fields on portals if possible. Fields on portals require a lot of time. What remains are a few fields, all of which can be indexed. This leads to fast search results, even with large tables.

Define target layout for multiple results

There is one function that is not visible right away. This is a “secret” or hidden function. Namely, you can specify a target layout for the search results.

Seek and you shall find. Sometimes you can find more than 1 hit. How to display multiple hits? For example, if you start the search on an editing layout for a record, as is often the case, and you find two or two hundred results, you will not see more than 1 result on that layout. All other hits are selected in the result, but you have to scroll through them one by one. This is confusing and also not efficient.

There is another way.

There is an option to specify a target layout for the search results if more than 1 hit is found. This makes it possible to switch to a list layout when multiple results are found. This greatly facilitates navigation through data sets. A workflow might look like this:

Search on a detailed view > In case of multiple results switch to list layout > In the list you can click on one of the found records to get back to the detailed view.

In the animated example here above, it is shown that you start searching on a detail view, after which several results are found. This automatically switches to a list layout. In the list you can click on an entry to get back to the corresponding detail view. This is intuitively understandable for the user.

How do you set this up?

It is particularly simple. The name of the destination layout is passed as a Script parameter. This is set under the script triggers of the search field. You can activate this setting for each layout where it makes sense. And it succeeds like this:

  1. Switch in Layout mode
  2. Select the search field
  3. Right click on the search field and select “Set Script Triggers…”.
  4. 2 Script Triggers have been set up
    1. OnObjectKeystroke
    2. OnObjectModify
  5. For the second Script Trigger the script “QuickFind Script” was selected. Here you can now specify the name of the target layout as a parameter.

After this simple addition, you often get a better result in the user interface.

You can easily add this customization where you frequently switch between detail view and list view.


CCA - Free Currency API Add-on

CCA - Free Currency API Add-on

Free FileMaker add-on for currency conversions


21. March 2023In Add onsBy Karsten Risseeuw3 Minutes

The “CCA – Free Currency API add-on” for FileMaker uses an API interface from the website freecurrencyapi.com to update currency rates in FileMaker. The integration of the add-on goes in a jiffy. The only thing you need after that is an API key, which you can easily obtain directly from the provider’s website.

There are many currency conversion websites, almost as many of which offer an API interface. These websites all work in much the same way. With some providers, you have to create a paid subscription right away. Other providers, however, offer a freemium model, where some features or a certain quota of conversions is free. Those who then require more functionality, more currencies or more conversions can request an update to a paid version.

This add-on is a spin-off of a test solution in which different currency conversion platforms were tested side by side. The choice fell on freecurrencyapi.com, because it offers a lot of things that other platforms had to pay for:

  • Over 30 popular currencies in the free version
  • Freely selectable base currency

The add-on creates a list of currencies and conversion factors in FileMaker. The list can be updated at the click of a button and from there you can customize your own pricing systems. The idea is to trigger currency adjustments only when needed and create a table in FileMaker for this purpose.

Step by step

1.

1. create a free account on freecurrencyapi.com. There is a personal API key in the account. Copy the key into the API key field and save the settings.

2.

2. after the API key is entered, a list of current currencies can be retrieved by pressing a button. This list is the basis for a value list, with which available currencies can be conveniently selected.

3.

Next, select the base currency and create a list of required currencies. The rates can now be updated at the touch of a button.

4.

4. the fastest customization for your own FileMaker solution is to duplicate some of the layouts and adapt them to your own design. The tables of the add-on are used for this purpose.

Optional: If you already have your own table with currencies and conversion rates, then this can be integrated quickly. In the scripts, all references are built dynamically. They can be reset and saved in the settings with the help of a few pop-ups.

Currency conversions are essential for international trade. This add-on solves a small task in an elegant way. Download, install, try – within minutes you will get up-to-date currency conversions at the push of a button.

Download links for free products will be sent by email. An e-mail check is performed. You need a valid and permanent email address.

CCA - Free Currency API add-on (EN)

Free Download

Please fill out this form. The download link will be sent to you by email.


Swiss QR Bill Enhanced

Swiss QR Bill Enhanced

Swiss payment receipt with QR code as add-on for FileMaker


The new Swiss payment slips not only require a QR code, but also come with very specific requirements for design, data formatting and the like. With this free add-on you get a complete payment slip right away, which is dragged and dropped onto the print layout.

The add-on works with sample data, from which it is easy to see how it works. The same scripts and processes can be easily linked to your own tables on a central settings page. Various processes can be preset and easily adapted in the scripts as needed.

Swiss payment slip

In order to be able to create a Swiss payment slip, 3 tasks must be clarified for the developer:

  1. Compile invoice data
  2. Generate QR code
  3. Create payment slip

The add-on “Swiss QR Bill Enhanced” solves all these steps, makes them traceable and configurable. The data and QR code are combined into a payment document that can be dragged and dropped onto an invoice layout.

Preparation

In preparation, two fields need to be added to the invoice table: A repeating field will hold the invoice data and a container field will store the QR code. After installing the add-on, this is demonstrated comprehensibly with sample data. Once you understand how it works with the help of the sample data, you can integrate the solution. There are simple settings for this purpose.

The solution works according to the previously mentioned steps. There is a script for each individual step, which can be easily adapted if required.

1. collect invoice data

The invoice data is summarized in a repeating field. The specification for the data provides for certain fixed information, and information from the invoice must be copied in here. What information this is is determined by the specification. A script fills all repetitions. You can easily add your own data fields to this script. The repeating field is, so to speak, the intermediate storage of the information. QR code and payment receipt are now filled from this buffer. This simplifies the delimitation and structure of the information.

2. generate QR code

The QR code is generated from the invoice data stored in the repeating field. This is done using the solution provided as an add-on by Otmar Kramis(here). Thx! The code is generated using JavaScript in a web viewer and stored in a container field of the invoice table.

3. create payment slip

All information is now created and can be summarized for the payment slip. The QR code has been placed in the invoice table and must be inserted from there. All text information for the payment slip is stored in global variables and displayed on the payment slip. The inpayment slip itself has its own styles customized to the specifications. Therefore, the payment slip can be simply dragged and dropped onto the invoice layout. Texts work immediately. Only the container field for the QR code must be linked to the invoice table.

Texts on the payment slip must meet certain requirements. Numbers, IBAN code and the like must be formatted in certain ways. For this purpose, Custom Functions are used, which are part of the add-on.

Introduction video

Download links for free products will be sent by email. An e-mail check is performed. You need a valid and permanent email address.

Swiss QR Bill Enhanced (EN)

Free Download

Please fill out this form. The download link will be sent to you by email.