FileMaker Mobile 8 Overview

The latest version of FileMakers mobile data application provides a solution for those users who need to take their data with them in a simple yet highly usable format on either Palm OS or Pocket PCbased devices. FileMaker Mobile 8 consists of two applications: one, the application that you use on your computer to prepare a database to be published or synchronized to a handheld device and, two, the application used on your handheld device to access data there. You will also use FileMaker Pro 8 or FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced to manage security settings within the database file with which you want to synchronize.

Simply put, FileMaker Mobile 8 allows you to synchronize a data table in a FileMaker file (note that you can work with only one table per file) with a handheld form-based interface and access your data on the go. You can then resynch your data when you return to your desk and ensure that any changes you made on your handheld device are then represented within your FileMaker solution and vice versa.

FileMaker Mobile 8 introduces a significant new feature: Developers and users can now synchronize their mobile databases with a FileMaker file hosted on another computer, either through FileMaker Server (versions 7 or 8) or via peer-to-peer sharing.

FileMaker Mobile Components

FileMaker Mobile 8 consists of three software components:

• The computer-based application that allows for the configuration of data tables to be shared on a mobile device.
• The mobile device application that presents the shared data and allows their records to be searched, edited, deleted, added, and sorted.
• The synchronization module that allows for the mediated synchronization of the mobile data tables and their associated computer-based data tables. This engine synchronizes FileMaker-to-FileMaker Mobile data tables in the same process that synchronizes a users other mobile applications, such as their contact manager and calendar.

System Requirements

FileMaker Pro Mobile 8 is compatible with computers running Windows and Mac OS X, as well as with Palm OS and Pocket PCbased mobile devices. (Note that the listed hardware and software requirements are minimum requirements. More recent versions and higher capacities are also compatible.) FileMaker Mobile also requires FileMaker Pro 7 or 8 (or FileMaker Developer 7 or FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced).