We have a small company with about twelve employees.    We would like to
have a centralized contact database.   What type of configuration in terms
of Filemaker Pro Server and Filemaker Pro would be optimal?

At the current time, we only have a network drive.  I am assuming that
Filemaker Pro will NOT work on just the network drive (i.e. need complete
machine).

1) If this is this case, can 5-10 copies of Filemaker work independently
and, at the same time,
control who modifies what in a particular database?

2) If using the above configuration without Filemaker pro server, can two
people modify a database at the same time (different records)?

3) If we do elect to get a server and Filemaker Pro server, can
telecommuting employees use the master database by an IP to IP connection
without having to establish a VPN or web server?




please respond at pspope at noesis-strategy.com

On 7/16/03 6:04 AM, in article bf3in2$hcj$2@bob.news.rcn.net, "asdfdwww"
<no_spam@aol.com> wrote:

> We have a small company with about twelve employees.    We would like to
> have a centralized contact database.   What type of configuration in terms
> of Filemaker Pro Server and Filemaker Pro would be optimal?

Optimal is the key question here. The answer is yes, good choice.

> At the current time, we only have a network drive.  I am assuming that
> Filemaker Pro will NOT work on just the network drive (i.e. need complete
> machine).
>
> 1) If this is this case, can 5-10 copies of Filemaker work independently
> and, at the same time,
> control who modifies what in a particular database?

This works OK. The first machine to open a particular database is considered
its "Host". It then doles out the data and privileges to everyone else.
 
> 2) If using the above configuration without Filemaker pro server, can two
> people modify a database at the same time (different records)?

Sure thing. It does slow down the "host" a tad.

 
> 3) If we do elect to get a server and Filemaker Pro server, can
> telecommuting employees use the master database by an IP to IP connection
> without having to establish a VPN or web server?

Yes, this works great. Remember to poke a hole in your firewall with the
appropriate port number.


Matt Revenaugh

Take a look at SyncDeK (disclosure: my company's product):
   <http://www.syncdek.com/syncdek/>

SyncDeK is the solution with FileMaker for synchronizing data between
"distributed" users in an organization... without requiring a central
FileMaker Server or even direct connectivity between users. This could
be useful, even critical, if users also need to use the database while
*offline* (on laptops, while traveling, at client sites/jobsites, at
home with a local copy).

"Distributed database" is a different paradigm from "client/server" or
"web interface".  But we've had great success supporting "distributed"
organizations like NASA engineering projects, NBA scouting teams, rock
bands who tour (Dave Matthews Band, ColdPlay), outside sales reps,
doctors, lawyers, et. al. using FileMaker + SyncDeK.

> > We have a small company with about twelve employees.    We would like to
> > have a centralized contact database. 

Do you actually require "centralization"...or would it work to have
"synchronization" of up-to-date data between all users?

> > At the current time, we only have a network drive.  I am assuming that
> > Filemaker Pro will NOT work on just the network drive (i.e. need complete
> > machine).
> >
> > 1) If this is this case, can 5-10 copies of Filemaker work independently
> > and, at the same time,
> > control who modifies what in a particular database?
> >
> > 2) If using the above configuration without Filemaker pro server, can two
> > people modify a database at the same time (different records)?
> >
> > 3) If we do elect to get a server and Filemaker Pro server, can
> > telecommuting employees use the master database by an IP to IP connection
> > without having to establish a VPN or web server?

SyncDeK addresses all of these issues including security, scalability,
efficient data access, "ownership" of data--providing the
infrastructure for collaborative sharing of data between distributed
and disconnected users.

 http://www.syncdek.com/syncdek/

Jay Gonzales
SyncDeK(tm)
A.E. Wood & Erickson
jay@syncdek.com
ph: 877-548-4920 (toll-free U.S. sales/support)