A quick look at FileMaker 17 licensing changes

Ben Fletcher • May 25, 2018

FileMaker 17 marks some interesting and welcome shift by FileMaker Inc's approach to focus on licensing as a platform rather than a per product basis - here is a quick summary of some of the key changes. For the full details, see:

www.filemaker.com/purchase/store/faq-teams.html

In short, the old VLA and AVLA agreements are being retired in favour of new FileMaker User, Connections and Site licensing schemes. This actually has a lot of positive consequences:


FileMaker Pro is dead, long live FileMaker Advanced!

FileMaker Pro is no more, instead it has been replaced with its more fully functional cousin FileMaker Advanced - consequently, all users as standard now get the full power of FileMaker Advanced features, such as:

· Live Data Viewer.

· Script Debugger.

· Enable Database Encryption.

· Custom Menus.

· Custom Functions.

· Database Design Reports (DDRs).

· Kiosk Mode Support.


FileMaker for Teams is dead, long live FileMaker Advanced!

In line with FileMaker Pro being discontinued, there is no longer a FileMaker Pro for User Connections – again, all users now get the full FileMaker Advanced feature set.


Simplified license key handling

One license key per contract included in all programs; one key is used for all product installations in FileMaker 17. No need to worry about there being different license keys for Pro, Advanced and Server as you did with FileMaker 16 and earlier.


Multiple server instances as standard

FileMaker User licensing assumes as standard that you will get three server instances.

Previously if you needed multiple servers for development, testing and live production purposes then you can specifically buy additional server licenses, or consider a site license. The new FileMaker User licensing scheme assumes that you will want to potentially run up to 3 server instances as standard and one of these can be used for an AWS FM Cloud instance whereas previously this would have required additional separate licensing.


FileMaker Data API Licensing model

This is no longer a trial feature as it was in FileMaker 16 and is now fully supported in FileMaker 17 as standard. Up to 2GB of outbound data transfer per user per month is now included as standard (tracked in aggregate, annually - i.e. 10 users x 2GB/month = 20GB/month; 240GB/year total allowance). For systems that make heavy use of the FileMaker Data API then additional allowance can be purchased separately.

Not sure how the changes to FileMaker licensing will effect you or need some assistance with how to get the most out of FileMaker 17 platform? Call our team for a free, no obligation quotation.


by Ben Fletcher 17 Nov, 2023
New Features in Claris FileMaker 2023 (version 20.3) Release
by Ben Fletcher 08 Sept, 2023
Reflecting on Claris Platform's Roadmap: What's Next in 2023 and Beyond
by Ben Fletcher 06 Jun, 2023
The Claris FileMaker 2023 is the ultimate platform for custom app creation. Given its advanced features and capabilities, it's the platform of choice for those seeking to start fresh building a new custom business app. However, if you're thinking about upgrading from an older Claris FileMaker version, preparation is key, and that's where we come in . . .
by Ben Fletcher 27 Apr, 2023
New Features in Claris FileMaker 2023 Release
by Ben Fletcher 01 Feb, 2023
Free tier access to the Claris Platform is coming!
by Ben Fletcher 01 Dec, 2022
New Features in Claris FileMaker 19.6 Release
by Ben Fletcher 28 Nov, 2022
Claris Server managed private cloud hosting now available from datatherapy.host
by Ben Fletcher 24 Nov, 2022
The new Claris Platform represents the latest evolution of the venerable Claris FileMaker Platform. While the FileMaker Platform is a powerful and flexible toolset, it was originally launched in 1985 and conceived to solve the data problems of that era - predating much of the modern internet staples that we are familiar with today like pervasive broadband, mobile computing and cloud services. While an impressive number of new features have been added to the FileMaker platform to modernise it over the years, there were always going to be some areas where it was not an optimal solution given the need to maintain compatibility with previous releases. The new Claris Platform focuses on offering a new approach to building unified, hybrid apps with a more cloud native approach. Central to this new offering is Claris Studio, a web-based tool for building online web forms, dynamic charts, dashboards and task trackers (see https://www.claris.com/studio/ ). Historically, these are all areas that the FileMaker platform has served poorly out of the box, or has required substantial developer effort utilising 3rd party plugins or integration with other apps and cloud services to work around. The new Claris Platform bundle therefore significantly extents what would be possible with FileMaker alone. I t is well worth looking at these Claris Youtube videos exploring the new platform https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkvKnBkQSCeTE1hT4FJkCJ_foOOq_DBIe However, Claris Studio does not integrate with classic FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server - instead it works with Claris Pro and Claris Server. In order to get Claris Studio to market and in the hands of developers as quickly as possible, Claris have had to make some compromises and so narrowed their initial platform support and features. This means that while Claris Pro and Claris Server have most of the core features of FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server there are some important differences - while the new Claris platform is an excellent fit for most new development projects, it is not yet a 'no-brainer' upgrade for existing FileMaker customers that are reliant on some of the older features which are not yet present in the new platform. Two deciding limitations for many existing FileMaker customers are that: 1) Claris Server only currently runs on the Linux platform - there is no support for running on macOS or Windows servers currently. 2) By design the new Claris Platform needs internet access in order to integrate with Claris Studio and so cannot be 'LAN locked' which may be the case for certain FileMaker solutions due to strict security as can be found in healthcare environments or with very high performance solutions such as video environments. If you don't have expertise in deploying Linux servers or moving from a LAN to cloud environment then this can be mitigated as it is perfectly possible to get a 3rd party managed private cloud hosting. This is exactly the service that DataTherapy can provide - see https://datatherapy.host/pricing for more details. Contact our team if you are interested in a demo of the new Claris Platform offering and a FREE initial consultation about how to migrate from from your existing FileMaker based solution in order to take advantage of the new Claris Studio features.
by Ben Fletcher 16 Jun, 2022
New Features in Claris FileMaker 19.5 Release
by Ben Fletcher 17 Dec, 2021
We can confirm that our Platopus platform does not make use of Java and so is unaffected by the Log4j security vulnerability.
More posts
Share by: