FileMaker Pro 8

Over the next few months, FileMaker Pro 8 will be followed by new versions of all the other FileMaker products. In the process, FileMaker Developer is being renamed FileMaker Advanced. This looks to be a particularly interesting upgrade with the promise of improved script debugging and reusable fields, tables and scripts. The two Server applications and FileMaker Pro 8 Mobile are slated to follow in the autumn.

Although it doesn't ultimately have the power or complexity of Microsoft's Access or 4D (www.4duk.com), FileMaker continues to hit the right note for its intended small workgroup and home office market, and it holds its own against direct competitors such as Alpha Five. It's certainly the easiest to use, fully fledged database we've seen.

For existing users who haven't yet moved to FileMaker 7, there's now even more reason to take the plunge, with the combined improvements of 7 and 8 making it increasingly attractive. If you're already comfortably settled into version 7, the move to 8 is less compelling. However, there's certainly enough in version 8 to fully justify the cost of an upgrade.

Author: Jack Weber