New FileMaker 9 Product Line Delivers

New FileMaker 9 Product Line Delivers 30 Ease-of-Use Breakthroughs including Live Connections to SQL Data

Innovative new FileMaker 9 PHP Site Assistant enables non-programmers to create PHP-driven websites

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – 11 July, 2007 – FileMaker today announced the immediate availability of FileMaker Pro 9, (http://store.filemaker.com.au) a major new version of the most award-winning desktop database for Windows and Mac OS.

The new FileMaker 9 product line, which the company called its most dramatic new offering in years with over 30 ease-of-use breakthroughs, is available today, and includes FileMaker Pro 9, FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced, FileMaker Server 9 and FileMaker Server 9 Advanced.

FileMaker Pro 9 includes many new features, for end users and developers, to simplify creating, automating, sharing and reporting from databases, including a new Quick Start screen for new users to be quickly productive; Conditional Formatting, which highlights data based on parameters the user sets; and the ability to email a link to other FileMaker users, which they can click to instantly access your database.

The new version also offers breakthrough easy-to-use tools so FileMaker users and workgroups can easily connect to the world of company and Web data residing in external SQL data sources: MySQL, Oracle SQL and Microsoft SQL Server.

The new Server 9 products, which enable workgroups to share databases over the network and the Web, come with a completely modernised and streamlined Admin Console, so FileMaker Pro users can easily set up and administer Server software.

“FileMaker is the acknowledged leader in easy-to-use database software which empowers workgroups,” said Dominique Goupil, president of FileMaker. “With FileMaker 9 we go further. We make it easier than ever for developers and users to manage information in amazingly productive and creative ways. For example, our goal is to make FileMaker Server 9 so easy that FileMaker Pro customers can install it in 20 minutes or less, and quickly share database solutions.

”FileMaker 9 is perfect for innovative organisations who realise the benefits of empowered self-service workgroups,” Goupil said.

Early Evaluator Customers and Developers Laud New FileMaker Pro 9

“We believe the External Data Sources features are going to be pivotal in terms of opening doors to both new applications for existing clients, and helping us reach new clients. This makes integration with web and corporate SQL systems 100 times easier, and more than that, FileMaker suddenly emerges as a great front-end and reporting tool for other systems... what a brilliant way to very quickly build a content management system for a MySQL website.

“The additional features present fresh opportunities and will attract new clients to FileMaker. An immediate advantage is that FileMaker Pro 9 doesn't have to use its own proprietary database engine and/or can work directly with corporate data sources. Many other favourites include Web Viewer, which adds dynamic User Interface (UI) controls making for more compelling user experiences. With data URLs now officially supported you can create a graph, display calculated results, or a warning message, with nothing more than a Web Viewer.

“Clients have been asking for Auto Resize, so I think that'll be a winner with them too. It's another feature that keeps FileMaker Pro 9 ahead of web applications. I personally like the Quick Start screen because people tend to launch the application first. So now, when users launch the application it will present a menu of databases right away. Finally, from a development perspective the big winner is the new scripting tools: these features are worth their weight in gold when developing large solutions and keeping things organised,” New Zealand based FileMaker developer Craig Saunders, Digital Fusion

“FileMaker Pro 9 features that appeal to me and my team (which consists of part-time developers) are the ones that help to create the best possible user experience. They make it easier and quicker for us to develop workable applications. FileMaker Pro 9 provides easy access to resources that help us learn about the different features available. An additional consideration brought about by the disruptive environment in which development occurs, is that FileMaker Pro 9 enables you to be more productive in the small blocks of time available. However, my best pick is Conditional Formatting, which is very helpful in making the layout appear more intuitive and interactive to the user.” Dominique Hawinkels, Security/Reception Manager, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, New Zealand

“Not only is FileMaker Pro 9 easier for users, but the enhanced features such as the debugger and Data Viewer also make life straightforward and trouble-free for both IT managers and developers. I’m really looking forward to showing the External SQL Data Sources (ESS) feature to my customers as this is going to massively add to the potential uses for FileMaker Pro in the marketplace.” Melbourne-based FileMaker developer Nicholas Orr, Goya Pty Ltd

“What we like most are the Conditional Formatting and Script Group functions. We can see great potential in the External SQL Data Sources (ESS) feature. This will allow us to open doors to enterprise customers. The FileMaker team has done a great job in that specific area. While few people have heard of FileMaker in Singapore, Easi-Link Systems develops all applications using this product. Customers buy the Easi-Link Systems solution because of what it does, and with FileMaker Pro 9 enhanced features we anticipate continued sales and growth.” Singapore-based FileMaker developer M.F. Leong, Easi-Link Systems

“FileMaker 9 is truly a ground breaking release that extends the product’s scope significantly. External SQL Data Sources (ESS) is a significant step in the evolution of FileMaker. Top features on my list would be enhanced Web Viewer with special support for data URLs, multiple script editing windows, Conditional Formatting and finally, the ‘append to PDF’ feature greatly enriches the output produced.

“Along with ESS, each of the above new features opens up new possibilities and extends the reach of the product. All of these address a very specific area of need and will provide users and developers with greater control and a more consistent experience. All in all, FileMaker 9 promises to be a very exciting release.” Melbourne-based FileMaker developer Ray Cologon, NightWing Enterprises

Connect to the world of data in External SQL Data Sources Using the new one-way or two-way live connectivity to popular SQL sources, FileMaker Pro 9 users within any business or organisation can safely and securely create custom reports, add calculations and other fields, and even build relationships with existing FileMaker data – just using the easy-to-use tools of FileMaker Pro.

“Linking FileMaker Pro 9 solutions to the open source strengths of MySQL will greatly empower the developer and user communities of both product lines,” said Zack Urlocker, MySQL AB's executive vice president of products

With the new PHP features of FileMaker Server and FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced both users and Web developers can publish information to external websites, gather information from Web visitors, and create new solutions combining a Web-based front-end with a rich, FileMaker Pro back-end.

Mac users of the new FileMaker products can connect to SQL sources with the Actual ODBC Pack version 2.7, now available from Actual Technologies LLC (http://www.actualtechnologies.com)

New Data Integration and Easier Database Design Features in FileMaker Pro 9
FileMaker Pro 9 (www.filemaker.com.au/products/) features many new capabilities to make databases more ‘connected’ for users, as well as a suite of advanced but easy-to-use development and customisation tools for developers. New features include:

- Connecting to a world of data, by easily creating links and integrating live MS SQL server, Oracle and MySQL data as if it were FileMaker-based data.

- Ease of use breakthroughs, including the FileMaker Quick Start Screen, which remembers your favorites and gives you access to the new videos in the FileMaker Learning Centre, Send Link Database Sharing, a one-click feature that sends an email with a hyperlink so you share a database with other FileMaker Pro users, and Append to PDF, which allows users to consolidate multiple data reports into a single PDF file.

- More productive database design, including script grouping and editing tools, conditional formatting, auto-resize, enhanced layout objects, enhanced tab control and an improved Web Viewer.

Advanced Database Design Even Easier with FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced New features in FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced (www.filemaker.com.au/products/) that are focused on giving users faster and easier ways to create advanced and customised database solutions include:

- Enhanced Database Design Report and File Maintenance tools, making it even easier to modify and maintain databases.

- Improved Script Debugger and Data Viewer, for identifying and correcting script errors earlier in the design process.

- PHP Site Assistant Link, providing a one-click launch of the PHP Site Assistant included in FileMaker Server 9.

FileMaker Server 9 Products Feature Most Significant Upgrade in its History FileMaker Server 9 and FileMaker Server 9 Advanced feature one-click integration with the Web using PHP, a simple 20-minute or less install time for basic installations, plus the most significant redesign of the server interface ever. With FileMaker Server 9, users can generate a fully working PHP website using FileMaker data without writing code in just minutes.

Other major new features include PHP Custom Web Publishing for creating dynamic data-driven websites, shared access to live data from external SQL sources, and a web-delivered server console.

Pricing and Availability

All FileMaker 9 products are immediately available. New users may purchase FileMaker Pro 9 for NZ$499 ex. GST (Suggested list price (SLP)) and FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced for NZ$799 ex. GST (SLP). Existing users of FileMaker Pro 7, 8 and 8.5 may upgrade to FileMaker Pro 9 for NZ$299 ex. GST (SLP). Existing users of FileMaker Developer 7, FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced and 8.5 Advanced, and FileMaker Pro 7, 8, 8.5 and 9 may upgrade to FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced for NZ$495 ex. GST (SLP).

FileMaker Server 9 is NZ$1,645 ex. GST (SLP) and FileMaker Server 9 Advanced is NZ$4,175 ex. GST (SLP). Existing users of FileMaker Server 7 and 8 may upgrade to FileMaker Server 9 for NZ$990 ex. GST (SLP). Existing users of FileMaker Server 7 Advanced and 8 Advanced may upgrade to FileMaker Server 9 Advanced for NZ$2,495 ex. GST (SLP). FileMaker offers licence discounts for volume purchasers as well as for education and non-profit organisations.

Special FileMaker Pro 9 Limited Time Offers Two limited-time offers mark the launch of the new products:

Buy FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced and get a free 1-year FileMaker Technical Network membership, valued at AU$135.45 ex. GST. Available until 21 September, 2007 (more details at www.filemaker.com.au/pr/technet).

The FileMaker 9 VLA Workgroup Bundle (10 FileMaker Pro 9 licences, one FileMaker Server 9 licence and one FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced licence) lets corporate, education and government customers save more than AU$ 1,100 off regular prices, and is available until 28 September, 2007 (more details at www.filemaker.com.au/pr/bundle).

About FileMaker, Inc.

FileMaker develops award winning database software for Windows, Mac, and the Web. FileMaker products combine legendary ease of use with the power to grow from individuals to large workgroups. Millions of people in business, education, non-profit, and government organisations around the world, rely on FileMaker software to manage, analyse, and share information. FileMaker, Inc. is a subsidiary of Apple Inc.
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©2007 FileMaker, Inc. All rights reserved. FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.

ENDS

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