What do you get from upgrading to Claris FileMaker 2024?
What are the key features of recent FileMaker releases?
Claris has added dozens of new features with each release of FileMaker - so many that it is hard to quickly see exactly how you might quickly benefit from updating. Here we summarise some of our favourite features we like to highlight to customers looking to upgrade:
| Key Features/Version | FileMaker 2024 | FileMaker 2023 | FileMaker 19 | FileMaker 18 | FileMaker 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supported until / EOL dates | June 2026 | TBC 2025 | Dec 2024 | June 2021 | Sept 2020 |
| Artificial intelligence script steps and functions | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| REST Data API Usage | Unlimited | Limited | Limited | Beta/Expired | N/A |
| Trigger Claris Connect Flows | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| JavaScript support in web viewers | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Execute Data API script step | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| List-detail layouts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What are the risks of not upgrading?
Claris recently hosted Community live event covering the dangers of running outdated versions of Claris FileMaker. Key take aways include:
- Running outdated Claris software on a public cloud is a significant security risk - there are known vulnerabilities and exploits in older versions of FileMaker which have been fixed in the current version. Your data is at risk of exposure if you don't keep up to date.
- Both Apple and Microsoft actively update their operating systems on an annual basis and release security updates more frequently. This can impact on integrations with native app integration with FileMaker. Email application integration compatibility is the most obvious example - Outlook and FileMaker need to be updated in lock step to ensure compatibility. Issues arise when you make use of deprecated security features like SMTP and mix 32-bit and 64-bit versions of applications which are not compatible.
- Claris works hard to ensure backward compatibility between releases and they are still making use of the same core file format introduced back in FileMaker 12 (.fmp12), but the longer you leave it between updates then the more things are likely to break and the more work is required to plan, test and address upgrade issues. Generally, Claris maintains a window of compatibility between the current release and previous releases, but if you leave it too long then you need to time both the Server and client machines to be upgraded at exactly the same time so that your end user's don't loose access to their Apps.
Need help to upgrade your FileMaker?
No matter your current version, our consulting team can assist you through the upgrade process, even if your app involves complex dependencies, such as integrations with legacy software or plugins. Most plugins will require updates (sometimes paid) to ensure compatibility with the latest version.
We encourage you to consider the future-proofing benefits of a 'cloud-first' mindset. Older systems may not have been built with this in mind, but the modern FileMaker platform has been designed to seamlessly integrate with other cloud solutions. Likewise, modern Claris FileMaker now leans heavily on being able to more easily integrate directly with other web services such as LLM (Large Language Model) based Artificial Intelligence like OpenAI's ChatGPT service and can be quickly extended to integrate with 3rd party web services using Claris Connect as well as offering custom public facing web forms with Claris Studio.
Ultimately, we believe that your software should work for you, not the other way around. That's why we're committed to ensuring your upgrade is more than a simple technical exercise—it's a strategic move that aligns with your business' evolution. If you're ready to harness the power of the modern, interconnected, and dynamic Claris FileMaker 2024, get in touch with us today. We're here to help you achieve your business goals and offer a free initial consultation for all new prospective customers.
