Get the Most Out of Your FileMaker Application 

As a business leader, you’re always looking for ways to optimize and improve the efficiency of workflows and procedures while driving growth. If you’re like most FileMaker entrepreneurs, you turned to Claris FileMaker to institutionalize your unique business processes with a platform that embraces constant change.  Like your business, FileMaker itself is changing to meet future challenges.   Are you leveraging the latest FileMaker technologies to take your business to the next level? 

Claris FileMaker is committed to adopting change, without leaving legacy applications behind.  FileMaker is now a more powerful and versatile platform than ever.  Do you have a plan to keep your proprietary systems current?   Incorporating the latest features can significantly improve business processes, data management, and streamline operations. In our experience, many companies stop innovating after deploying their custom solutions.  Only through continually innovating, can your solution maximize the benefits of the latest tools offered by the Claris FileMaker.  Here are some of the common challenges we’ve seen and how to overcome them.

Underestimating Capabilities 

Many users are simply unaware of the full range of capabilities that FileMaker offers. From advanced automation features to customizable reporting, FileMaker can be tailored to meet specific business needs. However, without knowledge of these features, companies miss out on opportunities for optimization. 

We would love to help you, let us review your solution and share our thoughts on what you might have missed and what a road map to making your smoothing out your workflows would look like.  

Training 

Training is crucial for leveraging any software to its fullest. Employees might not receive adequate training to optimize FileMaker’s advanced features. Without proper training, the ROI from their solutions will be reduced.  Insightful UI’s, efficient code, and thoughtful data structures, come from experience.   

As Claris Platinum Partners, we are happy to support your team with tailored coaching sessions. Our personalized coaching ensures that your employees can fully leverage the capabilities of FileMaker, maximizing the application’s impact on your business operations.

Technical Expertise 

Maintaining a state of the art  in-house technical expertise is costly. Fortunately, you can let Codence, serve as your partner in evolving your critical business infrastructure. We specialize in developing and supporting FileMaker solutions and in building long-term relationships with our clients.  This approach lets you leverage our extensive industry experience to ensure your applications align seamlessly with business objectives.  You can do what you do best, while we continue to stay on the leading–edge technology. 

Siloed Systems and Data Discrepancies 

Are you optimizing your opportunities to integrate? FileMaker is an excellent way to connect your workflows, but integrations can be tricky. Let our experience save you the learning curve so you can benefit from connecting your team’s favorite apps. Investing in integration solutions ensures FileMaker integrates seamlessly with your existing tools, optimizing overall efficiency.  

Lack of Vision 

Without a clear strategy or vision for how FileMaker can support business goals, you will not maximize your return on investment.  An alignment between FileMaker’s capabilities and business objectives is the key to optimization. We understand that it can be challenging to develop a comprehensive strategy while managing day-to-day operations.   

As all our clients face this challenge, we have Business Analysts who specialize in translating your vision into executable deliverables.  We also have in-house project management to create transparency and accountability every step of the way.  Let’s build your software roadmap together so you can control when to release new features, and your budget. 

Poor Maintenance and Updates 

Lastly, running outdated versions of FileMaker can limit access to new features and improvements. Keeping the software up to date is essential for leveraging the latest capabilities and ensuring optimal performance. Regular updates not only enhance functionality but also address security vulnerabilities and improve overall system stability. 

Partnering with an expert ensures that your system remains current, provides necessary training sessions, and a comprehensive overview of new features and changes. This way, you can focus on your business operations while seamlessly enjoying the benefits of the latest advancements in FileMaker. 

What can you do with FileMaker? 

Now that we’ve explored common challenges and how to overcome them, let’s share some inspirational examples. Here’s how some of our clients are using Claris FileMaker to transform their operations: 

Automate Processes 
By leveraging Claris FileMaker, our manufacturing clients automate manual workflows, enhance data management, and improve transparency across operations. For more detailed insights on how manufacturers are utilizing FileMaker to drive efficiency and innovation, check out our in-depth blog post here. 

Inventory Management  
An embroidery company faced the challenge of tracking thread usage for embroidering logos on soft goods. They purchased thread in spools but consumed it in yards, with varying consumption rates for different letters. Additionally, they needed to track soft goods by size, style, and color, including customer-provided items that couldn’t be mixed with main inventory.  

Codence developed three distinct inventory systems for them: one to calculate thread use and order spools, another to manage their own embroidered inventory, and a third to track customer-provided goods. This custom approach streamlined their inventory management, ensuring efficient operations and accurate customer order tracking. You can learn more strategies for inventory management here. 

Data Privacy Compliance 
Supported by federal and other grants, a non-profit needed to handle data privacy and security with utmost care. To address these needs, Codence developed a FileMaker solution which included permission-based user layouts by user type, and custom layouts for activity management, and trip information. This included incorporating a drag-and-drop import process to update records using Uber’s Trip ID, which automatically syncs participant IDs to trips, saving staff hours of manual work. 

To ensure participant privacy, an encryption and decryption process was implemented using FileMaker’s base 64 calculations. This allows staff to encrypt or decrypt data quickly, ensuring that only those with the encryption key can access sensitive information. A best-in-class security architecture was designed, ensuring that even developers with full credentials cannot access the encrypted data. This solution not only saves significant time and reduces errors but also upholds the stringent privacy practices required by their grant providers. Read their full customer story to see how Codence’s innovative solutions transformed their operations. 

Explore More Possibilities

The journey of Mobile Tyre Shop with Claris FileMaker is a prime example of how innovation, adaptability, and determination can lead to immense success. By recognizing the limitations of their previous ERP system and daring to try something new, Mobile Tyre Shop transformed their business operations, achieving greater efficiency and productivity. Let their story inspire you to continuously strive for improvement in your own business journey.

Claris has shared “50-ways-to-use-FileMaker“. Explore these real-life customer stories and see how businesses like yours leverage FileMaker to achieve success and drive growth.

Take the Next Step 

With the capabilities of Claris FileMaker, the possibilities are truly endless. By thinking beyond your initial app, you can take advantage of the full power of this platform to enhance your entire business operation.  

If your FileMaker subscription has expired, now is the perfect time to revisit this powerful tool. The new release of Claris FileMaker 2024 delivers more value from your current business data with the help of new AI capabilities. This release provides new tools for creating faster, easier-to-maintain apps. The latest updates and features can provide even more robust solutions for your business challenges. 

Reach out to us for a consultation to explore how the latest FileMaker technologies can benefit your business and see how we can help you build, customize, and optimize FileMaker solutions tailored to your specific needs.