FileMaker Go, iBeacons, GeoFencing, and TimeCards

FileMaker Go, iBeacons, GeoFencing, and TimeCards

Gerard Beutler's idea to use iBeacons is simple and obvious, just like most AHA! moments. Meaning it's only simple and obvious after that moment.  iBeacons are generally attached to fixed locations and wait for someone to walk by so they can be notified that something of interest is there. In this case, the iBeacon is used to track the location of onsite employees:  when they are in range (geofencing) of their destination, and what time they are there.

Learn more about his custom FileMaker solution in this Facebook Live video from FileMakerDevcon2017:



This concept broadens the uses for iBeacons and for FileMaker, so a win win for both.

To get started on iBeacons and Apple, try this pdf from Apple.

To get started with FileMaker and iBeacons, check this out.

Bonus: To use FileMaker 16 with iBeacons in a more traditional way, check out this video from Cirrus Logic Software:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ6IUeCInxw

One item of note from the above video:  you can turn your iPhone into an iBeacon for testing purposes.

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The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.

Mark Twain

FileMaker in the Fresno Superintendent of Schools Office

FileMaker in the Fresno Superintendent of Schools

FileMaker DevCon 2017 live FaceBook Interview

David Tsviriko, a Systems Analyst in Human Resources and a FileMaker developer for the Fresno Superintendent of Schools, shares some of his success stories using FileMaker to tame the Binder and Excel beasts so prevalent prior to FileMaker:

David's Solutions

His solutions include updating and streamlining the visitor processing, leading to better accountability and security, along with better information of who visits and when.

David prints a detailed name tag that includes a barcode that is used when the visitor leaves.

He also built several systems to track sick days (and sick day overages), produce lots of forms for printing, track payments, and just improve processes while eliminating paperwork in the Human Resources department.

Ho-hum, just your typical success story by a FileMaker Developer.

Well done, David!

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Just because something has always been done in a certain way is never a sufficient reason for continuing to do it that way.
- Clarence Birdseye (and every FileMaker developer worth his salt)

 

Live from FileMaker DevCon 2017

Check out the view from our Executive Suite where we are doing FaceBook Live interviews from FileMaker DevCon 2017:


We are doing interviews today and tomorrow (July 25th and 26th).  Share your knowledge and expertise and get linked on FileMaker Pro Gurus.

Download an Interview Guide in the header of the website above and text 505-918-1215 to arrange a time.

 

 

 

Gerard Beutler - iBeacon TimeCards at DevCon

Here's Gerard's very unique solution using iBeacons and FileMaker Go to track onsite employees.

We're in Room 4122 in Wing 2

Free FaceBook Live Interview

Come by and film your 5 minute Facebook Live promotional video Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 to 5.  We'll post it on FileMakerProGurus.com after the conference and you can send that to clients, friends, and family.

Don't know what to say?  Download our interview guide for some help.  And we'll help you when you get here.

Show off your knowledge and expertise.  Promote your business, yourself, or your boss's business.

Text 505-918-1215 or 505-908-7971 to schedule a time.

5 Days till FileMaker DevCon 2017

https://youtu.be/y3m2Z460HMU

FaceBook Live Interviews at DevCon 2017 on FileMaker Pro Gurus

FaceBook Live Interviews at DevCon 2017 - and this could you!

Make plans now to do a FaceBook Live interview at my hospitality suite next week at DevCon 2017.

Brag on FileMaker Pro 16, your business, where you work...and share it with your clients. And get more referrals and business.

Get ready by downloading the Interview Guide and filling it out.  Bring that with you when you stop by.

I'll announce the room number and more details next Monday the 24th here and on twitter.

Watch my FaceBook live video from this morning to learn more:

https://youtu.be/2XdYnnbIV0Q

See you there!

FileMaker Card Windows

FileMaker Card Windows

FileMaker Card Windows, a new feature is FileMaker 16, are basically revolutionizing User Interface (UI) design in FileMaker.  The changes are limited only by your imagination, as you will see in videos below.

Simply put, Card windows allow the developer to show any layout independent of context without closing or changing the starting layout.  The starting layout is called the Parent, and it 'owns'' the Card window – the card window stays on top of the originating layout until it is closed.

So, what does that mean, exactly?  Watch these video to get an idea of the power of FileMaker Card Windows:

Martha Zink

Zink gets us started with a basic introduction:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwHFhbmJBPI

Using a FileMaker Card Window as a Picker for Mouse Users and Keyboard Users

John Mark Osborne shows how to use a FileMaker Card Window as a Picker for populating the right contact into your forms:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZt2Tu_0Apk

To Do List from Anywhere

Martha Zink again on how to make a context independent To Do Card accessible from anywhere in your solution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPNTW0PVZjw

Floating Card Windows

Matt Petrowsky digs into what's happening behind the scenes with Card Windows and shows some tricks that will come in handy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADGFLLZHfhc

That's it for now...but keep an eye out for more articles and videos on Card Windows as developers start flexing their development muscles and showing new ways to build a better interface.

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You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.

Henry Ford (1863 - 1947)

 

Lots of Good FileMaker Stuff

Lots of Good FileMaker Stuff

From FileMakerHacks:

Some concrete uses of two new FileMaker 16 functions:  SortValues and UniqueValues.  And, as always, a downloadable free FileMaker example file: FM 16: SortValues and UniqueValues | FileMakerHacks

Beverly Voth guest posts on improvements in FileMaker 16 on Exporting Field Contents.  Bookmark this one after reading...someday you'll need it and it will save you lots of time:  Export Field Contents (Update for FM 16) | FileMakerHacks

FileMaker 16 Updates

FileMaker Pro 16.0.2 and FileMaker Pro Advanced 16.0.2

Script steps and functions

• Addressed the following issues:
  
  • After the Go to Object script step was performed on an empty portal that did not allow the creation of records, the focus was not placed on the portal and the script step returned the error code 101 (“Record is missing”).
  
  
  • Opening a record and then closing the record without modifying it increased the internal record modification count returned by the Get(RecordModificationCount) function.
  
  
  • The CryptAuthCode function returned incorrect results for encoded text inputs.
  
  
  • The JSONGetElement function returned JSONBoolean and JSONNumber results as text instead of a number.
  
  
  • The JSONGetElement and JSONListValues functions returned the incorrect decimal separator for comma-based system locales.
  
  
  • External script steps evaluated calculated values for repetitions incorrectly.
  
  
  • The Set Variable script step did not set very large repetition values correctly.
  
  


• Improved the performance of the SortValues and UniqueValues functions.

FileMaker Go 16.0.2

Addressed the following issues:

• After the Go to Object script step was performed on an empty portal that did not allow the creation of records, the focus was not placed on the portal and the script step returned the error code 101 (“Record is missing”).


• The layout was not sized correctly if it included a navigation part and the status bar and toolbar were hidden.


• In some cases, scanning a QR code returned an empty value.

FileMaker Server 16.0.2

Addressed the following issues:

• After the Go to Object script step was performed on an empty portal that did not allow the creation of records, the focus was not placed on the portal and the script step returned the error code 101 (“Record is missing”).


• FileMaker Data API calls that perform find requests for fields with Prohibit modification of value selected could return the error code 201 ("Field cannot be modified").


• FileMaker Data API returned commas as the decimal separator for databases created using languages that use commas as the decimal separator.


• Under certain conditions, ESS-based tables displayed incorrect records.


• In some cases, Subject Alternative Name (SAN) certificates could not be imported.

FileMaker WebDirect

All spaces and special characters in links to a FileMaker WebDirect solution must be URL encoded, including characters in database names, script names, script parameters, variable names, or variable values. Otherwise, scripts and sessions may not function correctly.

Addressed the following issues:

• Performing certain operations in List View caused FileMaker WebDirect sessions to become unresponsive after web users repeatedly signed in and out of databases.


• Exporting field contents failed in certain network configurations.


• Web users could not sign in using account names or passwords containing certain punctuation characters when the setting List only the databases each user is authorized to access was selected in Admin Console.


• Opening a FileMaker WebDirect solution using Internet Explorer or Edge failed when the host computer’s network name was used in the solution link instead of the IP or DNS address.

Updates to third-party components

FileMaker 16 Cards - Flexible Value Lists

The new FileMaker Card feature is changing the interface landscape in major ways, with lots more to come. Check out Robert Samnegård's use of the Card feature to build Flexible Value Lists. There is, of course, a free FileMaker example file included at the link.

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All programmers are playwrights and all computers are lousy actors.

Unknown

FileMaker 16 Favorite Hosts and Files

Managing FileMaker 16 Favorite Hosts and Files

Matt Petrowsky's short video on the changes in FileMaker 16 management of hosts and files sheds light on the darkness that is the new system.  I'm not sure a system that is less intuitive and thus less user friendly is the way forward for FileMaker, but there it is.

FileMaker also removed the bottom menu bar with the screen resize buttons and access to the different modes (Browse, Layout, Preview and Find).  The interface is definitely less busy, but also less usable.  I have a suggestion:  Allow users to show it or not in FileMaker 17.  Don't just take it away.

Anyway, enjoy the video and read on below to find out how you can promote yourself and your business to your clients in a 5 minute FaceBook live on FileMaker Pro Gurus ( only if you are attending DevCon 2017!).

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0NLHDwcnN4&feature=em-lss[/embed]

DevCon 2017 Attendees:  Star in a FaceBook Live video on FileMaker Pro Gurus website!

I'll be doing 5 minute FaceBook Live segments at DevCon 2017.  Now is your chance:  Share with your clients your favorite features of FileMaker 16, some of your best success stories, and I'll post it on FileMaker Pro Gurus website after the conference.  Then share your story and build your business (or your boss's business) by sharing the link.

Look for details here, on Facebook, Twitter, and G+ as we get closer to DevCon!

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The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.

Aesop
Greek slave & fable author (620 BC - 560 BC)

 

See You at FileMaker DevCon 2017!

Are you planning to attend FileMaker DevCon 2017?

I'll be there, and I have rented a suite again this year, where I'll be broadcasting on FaceBook live using a Mevo camera – the Live Event Camera that lets you direct your own event easily.

Stop by when you have a few minutes to share what you've learned, what you've been up to since last year, and to let people know how things are going.  Meet other developers from the community and learn more about what's going on in the FileMaker community.

Check back next week for a schedule of when we'll be broadcasting.  And let me know if you plan on stopping by.

See you there!