FileMaker Pro 2.1 for Windows and Macintosh: 
Breaking New Ground 

A Claris Corporation White Paper 

CLARIS CORPORATION 
5201 Patrick Henry Dr. 
Santa Clara, CA 95052 

June, 1993

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As greater numbers of customers integrate PC and Macintosh systems across
networks, they have been asking for cross-platform applications that work
the same way on Windows and Macintosh. Cross-platform database management
software is particularly important to many because information access is
critical for all users.

In responding to customers' desires for FileMaker Pro for Windows, Claris
brings its proven expertise in graphical user interface (GUI) software to
a new market. Claris GUI superiority is a key reason why users have ranked
Claris products #1 in ease of use, according to the 1991 J.D. Power and
Associates End User Satisfaction study.

Despite no shortage of database managers in the PC market, including a new
breed of Windows-based "relational" databases (a term loosely used by PC
database vendors and seldom understood by most end-users), few, if any,
can be easily customized by users. Programmers must first set up these
systems. Even the recent new wave of Windows-based relational database
applications, targeted for the mass Windows market with low promotional
pricing stop far short of being "ready-to-run in minutes." In most cases,
it may take days or weeks for typical Windows end-users to study massive
product manuals in order to install, launch and manage any one of these
new "easy-to-use" Windows relational databases.

FileMaker Pro 2.1, a true end-user database, is the first Windows database
application that firmly puts the power of data management in the hands of
every Windows user in just a matter of minutes. Leading PC magazines
agree. Within four months of shipping, FileMaker Pro 2.1 has received 20
PC and Windows magazines, such as PC Magazine, Windows World, Windows
User, BYTE and the renowned InfoWorld Product Laboratory have all selected
FileMaker Pro 2.1 for Windows as their choice for best end-user Windows
database.

The product is aimed at users in small- to medium-sized businesses,
workgroup users in corporate and other environments, professionals and
educators. It provides database capabilities to a wide audience by
streamlining the complexities of such programs with an intuitive,
easily-learned GUI that provide "natural metaphors" for easy mastery of
the application. A disk full of ready-made applications are included as
templates to permit users to begin using FileMaker Pro 2.1 immediately.

What do Windows users want?

Windows represents a major paradigm switch away from character-based
operating systems and applications to a GUI by millions of former
PC/MS-DOS users. In a recent poll of Windows users by PC Computing
magazine, ease of use, high-quality output and consistency across
applications were the highest priorities users had for moving to Windows
applications.

To paraphrase the Nike commercial, "Claris knows GUI." In the subtle art of
developing applications for a GUI environment, Claris has emerged a
consummate master. What's more, every Claris application has been created
with the same priorities as those of Windows users. The applications are
intuitive, with impressive looking screens and output, and a high level of
consistency across products -- while adhering to platform-specific user
interface conventions.

Even more important, and readily evident with FileMaker Pro 2.1, Claris has
achieved another first--cross-platform application consistency. And this
was done fully within the look and feel of the Windows and Macintosh
environments!

Programmable Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMSs vs. Flatfile
Databases: Flatfile No Longer A 'Lightweight' !

Cutting through software "technospeak" isn't easy, especially when creating
a lucid description of what a relational database really means.
Essentially, the key distinguishing feature of a truly relational database
is the ability to view data in a single location and automatically update
all references to that information with dynamic, bidirectional links.
Today's Windows relational database programs are easier to interact with,
employing "user friendly" interface techniques such as "drag and drop"
menus. But in most cases, these features do not sufficiently disguise the
underlying complexity of relational programming concepts and are therefore
not truly suited for end-user needs.

The very definition of an non-relational or "end-user" database remains
somewhat fluid due to the increasingly blurred distinction between
relational and non-relational programs, including those previously labeled
as "flat-file" databases. As relational databases are employing less
complex, graphical user interface features, their non-relational
counterparts are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It's not unusual
that the documentation accompanying these products ranges well over an
astounding 1000 pages!

End-user databases, once considered easy to use, but "lightweight"
technologies, do not employ a relational architecture, but are
nevertheless vastly more enabling to end users than ever before. In fact,
these applications now offer added capabilities previously only available
in relational databases, yet with far less complexity. For example,
end-users with no programming experience can now create automated
applications, easily create and manipulate different views of the data,
cross-reference other databases and import information from diverse
sources - all on their own accord, with little or no training.

Despite the increasing outward similarity of relational and non-relational
database technologies, the key distinction between an end-user database
and a database designed for developers lies in the degree of
user-programmability and control. End user databases require no
programming skills are designed with fewer user tools that can be used to
perform a huge number of functions so that users can leverage what they
learn against what they need in managing their databases.

For the most part, the database industry is largely focused on database
technologies designed for application developers. Programmable relational
database management systems will no doubt drive the direction of future
database technologies, but today's personal computing trends indicate that
the end-user packages will ultimately drive database technologies toward
the wide-spread user acceptance that has thus far eluded the traditional
database world.

FileMaker Pro 2.1 -- Database power without programming

FileMaker Pro 2.1 is clearly distinctive. The reason lies in how Claris
blends data management technology with GUI superiority to hide the
complexities inherent in database products. For unlike most other
applications, database programs often require significant and laborious
up-front preparation before users can start managing data.

For many users, this up-front preparation is very time-consuming and
daunting. It almost always requires hiring experienced programmers. Often,
they must plan ahead and identify every information field that will be
needed before starting the field definition process. But this is not so
with FileMaker Pro 2.1 -- it gives users sophisticated power without
programming.

Like all database products, FileMaker Pro 2.1 deals with fields, records
and files. But FileMaker Pro 2.1 deals with these basic aspects of a
database as no other. Those familiar with data manager products may point
to FileMaker Pro 2.1 functions listed below and say, "So what? Product X
can do that, too." And they're right. In fact, both products--FileMaker
Pro 2.1 and Product X--can do a lot more than that. But the real
difference isn't functionality, but whether users can accomplish the task
without the help of a programmer. When FileMaker Pro 2.1 is compared with
Product X (or any other data manager) against a full matrix of functions,
set ups, and controls, the FileMaker difference is obvious.

When users first start to build a database in FileMaker Pro 2.1, they
immediately have access to a minimum of sophisticated tools that shield
users from the complexities of database architecture and programming in
order to let them easily manage data. For example, a travel agency
creating a directory of clients might begin designing its database by
creating fields for customer names. In other database products, field
lengths are often restricted to a certain number of characters. Unusually
long customer names might not fit within the field restrictions. FileMaker
Pro 2.1 eliminates this problem by allowing variable length fields. This
feature also makes it easy to add fields that might consist of paragraphs
such as a notes field where reminders of customers' travel preferences
might be stored or a form letter field used to confirm receipt of travel
information. Up to 64,000 characters can be entered in a formatted text
field.

Fields in FileMaker Pro 2.1 can also be easily defined with several
powerful capabilities for managing data. Check boxes, radio buttons,
pull-down menus, fields that automatically enter data and more can be
created in minutes, and more important, can be done by a user instead of a
programmer. A user can even set up a field to automatically lookup and
import information from other files -- all without programming. For
example, the travel agency might want the customer's telephone area code
to trigger a lookup that automatically imports the name of the sales
manager for the region and lists the name in the customer record.

Once the fields have been defined, FileMaker Pro 2.1 automatically takes
the user into the layout mode. It is here that, unlike other database
products, FileMaker Pro 2.1 lets users decide how they want their data to
look. In the layout mode, users can determine exactly how they would like
to view their data. And they can set up as many views as they want by
simply creating additional layouts. With access to a complete set of
intuitive formatting and graphics tools that one might expect to see in a
graphics package, users can create anything from simple reports to complex
forms. Or they can select from the automatic layout generator that, among
other options, includes standard Avery mailing label formats.

The travel agency might set up one layout in column format that included
only the customer name, phone number and latest travel status, and might
maintain another that included the agency logo, all the customer
information including a customer photo and extensive notes that highlight
key customer requirements in bright colors. Again without any programming,
FileMaker Pro 2.1 puts sophisticated powers into users' hands -- enabling
even a novice user to completely customize the look and operation of a
database.

When users begin to enter data, FileMaker Pro 2.1 automatically and
transparently indexes all the words in each field, making it extremely
fast and easy for users to find information. Other databases either search
through each field in a file, slowing performance dramatically, or require
users to design and create separate indexes in order to make their queries
more efficient. And FileMaker Pro 2.1 is flexible as database needs
change. If a user finds that they need to add a field or change a layout,
they can do so at any time.

A short example will illustrate these distinctive and intuitive qualities
of FileMaker Pro 2.1. Starting from scratch, and building the telephone
directory, once a user has given the file a name, say "Corporate
Directory," FileMaker automatically places the user in field-definition
mode. Here, they simply type in a field name--last name--and click on the
'create' button, and the field appears above. Repeating these steps for
first name and telephone number will define all three fields.

When the user clicks on the Done button, FileMaker Pro 2.1 puts the user
into layout mode automatically. Here, the fields and field labels are
displayed in a default arrangement.

The user can adjust the positions of fields and labels so they will appear
on a single-row, allowing many record lines to be printed per page.

Database entry, searches and printing is all done in Browse mode, selected
by using the Select menu.

Even a novice user can easily create these different views of this
customized directory in a relatively short time. Without any additional
training, this same user can create sophisticated reports that incorporate
color, corporate logos, radio buttons and more.

For immediate productivity, FileMaker Pro 2.1 comes with ready-made
database application templates for contact management, inventory
management, invoicing, lead tracking, mail list management, project
tracking and more. Thus, new users can be productive immediately even as
they quickly learn to use the full power of FileMaker Pro 2.1.

Beyond this list of features are advanced capabilities that enable users to
develop solutions to common database tasks. For example, the travel agency
might need to produce a daily report that searches for all customers who
will commence travel in the next seven days, organizes them by date of
departure and destination, then prints a report and a set of mailing
labels. With other database products, the agency would have to hire a
programmer to automate this routine task. FileMaker Pro 2.1 features a
revolutionary scripting capability called ScriptMaker that makes
automation simple. Users simply select desired steps from a complete list
of FileMaker Pro 2.1 functions and specify options from scrolling lists
and pop-up menus. These scripts can even be assigned to user-definable
buttons that when selected automatically perform the script.

FileMaker Pro 2.1 for Windows inherits all the appealing features and
qualities of its Macintosh counterpart but conforms to rigorous Windows
interface standards. One sees a bonafide Windows application with Windows
menu and file conventions. Differences in platform, however, do not hinder
learning. Except where operating system conventions require differences,
FileMaker Pro 2.1 Looks and acts the same on both platforms. This is
especially important where companies must train users working with
FileMaker Pro 2.1 on the two different platforms. Even more important,
this consistency is preserved across platforms when users share database
information over networks.

FileMaker Pro 2.1 and cross-platform transparency

As more companies move to workgroup computing and enterprise networking,
cross-platform compatibility becomes more and more critical. Despite the
GUI similarities between Macintosh and Windows there are many significant
differences below their surfaces. Nevertheless Claris, with FileMaker Pro
2.1, has succeeded in breaking new ground in terms of compatibilities
across the Macintosh and Windows platforms. Claris has christened this
benefit "cross-platform transparency," and it probably will soon be one of
the key benefits customers demand from software vendors.

The two versions read and write the same file format so there is absolute
binary file compatibility between them. Thus, there is no need for the
user to conduct any intermediate data or structural format translations.
Virtually everything--layouts, fonts, graphics and scripts--is shared
transparently between the two environments. A FileMaker Pro 2.1 database
created on a PC can be opened on a Macintosh (or vice versa) and launched
with the familiar double click, with no translation necessary.

Multi-user files are updated instantly across the network and even across
the two platforms. Even the power to look up data in another database
takes place transparently across the two platforms. Easily defined and
modified access restrictions support high levels of data security even
down to the individual field level. And automatic record locking and
release preserve data integrity and arbitrate network data-access
conflicts. Built-in multi-user capabilities permit workgroups to share
information without the need to purchase a special LAN version of the
product.

FileMaker Pro 2.1 has the distinction and advantage of running over more
LAN networks than any other database software in its category, supporting
Novell Netware, Microsoft LAN Manager, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups,
Microsoft Windows NT (16-bit mode), Banyan VINES, Artisoft LANtastic
network, and other NetBIOS networks, FileMaker Pro 2.1 will fully support
the standard NetBIOS API. In addition, the new version will support
Novell's MacIPX, a tool that provides streamlined peer-to-peer integration
between FileMaker Pro 2.1 Windows and Macintosh users - without need for
special configuration of server-based data files and applications.

Access is not limited to data on FileMaker Pro 2.1, either. Data
import/export capabilities support data exchange with popular text,
spreadsheet and other database programs such as dBASE, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel
and more. FileMaker Pro 2.1's export/import mode supports tab-delimited
text, BASIC, SYLK, DIF, DBF, WKS/1 and Merge formats. Graphics created on
standard graphics packages can be imported for impact on forms and
reports. FileMaker Pro 2.1 for Windows has built-in support for PCX, DIB,
GIF, Windows Bitmap, HPGL, PICT, EPS, CGM and Micrografx Designer.

Customer Driven

Many Claris customers are companies with heterogeneous desktop platforms.
Since Windows 3.0 first made its debut there's been a clamor by these
customers for Claris to develop cross-platform applications. FileMaker Pro
2.1 for Windows and Macintosh delivers the promise of true cross-platform
transparency. Claris believes many Windows users and their companies will
find FileMaker Pro 2.1 distinctive from other database management
products. As Claris continues to extend its family of products into the
Windows environment, a new group of users will experience just how much
power can be packaged inside an easily used product, and how consistent
cross-platform applications can be.

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