More on FileMaker 2024
And why FileMaker 2024 is relevant for the future
A little while ago I wrote a blog about the launch of FileMaker 2024 and it’s many new tools and features, including AI. In this blog we look at how these can add more value to you and your business.
A closer look at AI in FileMaker 2024
One powerful thing that sets FileMaker 2024 apart from previous releases is the support for large language models (LLMs), a generative AI, able to support semantic searches. Now you can add semantic search to any existing system easily, without impacting workflows, existing architecture or data within the system.
Utilising AI in your system will bring many benefits, such as:
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- Giving users new ways to explore data based on meaning instead of keyword matching.
- Asking questions using natural language instead of through complex queries.
- Using semantic searches to get answers from your data that you couldn’t find previously.
In FileMaker 2024, there is an added AI category of script steps which provide all the necessary tools to manage your AI account, store vector embeddings, determine semantic similarity, build effective prompts, and even monitor tokens to manage speed and cost. This gives you control over data privacy, security, and cost.
AI can be added to your system in a low-risk, low-cost way. You can experiment with small, targeted upgrades to prove its value, such as leveraging semantic search to retrieve meaningful results from traditional keyword searches or reporting to uncover new insights.
Build faster apps and integrations that are easier to maintain.
FileMaker 2024 has new script steps and functions that better leverage Data APIs and other languages such as JSON, giving quicker and easier ways to build apps and integrating them with other systems, allowing you to streamline your whole business.
A few of the new enhancements that help you better optimise your system are:
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- It is now easier to write development script for API integrartion making it a quicker and easier process.
- It is easier to simplify scripts as the system is more responsive to business logic or error handling.
- You have more visibility about metadata when extracting text from images.
- JSON array enhancements ultimately help ensure greater accuracy and consistency when dealing with complex script parameters.
- Better OData 4.01 compliance, making integrations easier.
Other refinements include local notifications, previously in FileMaker Go and now in FileMaker Pro, so you can stay focused and never miss essential alerts.
All these mean that using FileMaker is easier and more versatile than ever before.
Deploy more securely and with a lot less hassle.
FileMaker Server now provides native support for certificates and gives administrators optimised console controls that support more secure and trouble free deployment.
To enhance data security and simplify SSL certificate setup and management, FileMaker Server now lets you use Let’s Encrypt, a free, easy-to-use certificate service. With Let’s Encrypt, certificate requests and renewals can be automated with system scripts built into FileMaker Server for macOS or Ubuntu.
With FileMaker Server Admin Console enhancements, administrators now have clearer visibility of schedules and better tools to manage teams and users. The updated console pulls schedules together in one view, helping administrators avoid automation conflicts. Plus, administrators can block new user connections to ensure maintenance integrity, and administrator roles allow for more flexibility to support teams and apps within the company.
Managing application lifecycles is better than ever since:
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- FileMaker Server Admin API now supports scriptable file uploads and downloads.
- FileMaker Developer Tool can rename files.
- Hash script steps and layout objects when using Save As XML helps you with app versioning.
Applications on mobile devices are the best way to collect information.
Using FileMaker Go is now even more like the FileMaker Pro experience. FileMaker Go now supports any kind of data, making apps on an iPhone or iPad the best way to quickly collect information.
Mobile data capture has the flexibility of your workstation. FileMaker Go offers mobile data capture, allowing you to update any binary file type into fields, and you can import more text data formats like CSV.
Your users can now have fast, one-touch access to mobile apps as the new widget support linking directly to your favorite apps, including websites in Safari. You can also automatically launch other apps when FileMaker Go launches.
With these and many more improvements, Claris has ensured that FileMaker continues to be ideally positioned to assist you in driving your business though maximising efficiencies and profitability.
Over recent years some have questioned if there was a future for FileMaker. The release of FileMaker 2024 shows that FileMaker future is very bright indeed.