| Want to continue using your existing files from | | | | economical MySQL database hosting with their |
| previous versions with FileMaker products? But | | | | web hosting plans, thus making MySQL a popular |
| first make sure conversion is the right path. | | | | choice for web developers. MySQL also offers |
| FileMaker is unmatched in usability thus allowing | | | | better scalability and features such as transactions |
| even novices to quickly create useful database | | | | and database replication. FileMaker Pro Unlimited or |
| applications for themselves and other users. | | | | Server editions are generally limited to 250 (or |
| FileMaker solutions are often developed by | | | | fewer) simultaneous users, while MySQL can be |
| individuals and departments who are working | | | | expected to serve thousands of simultaneous |
| independently from a corporate IT department | | | | users. In fact, a Ziff-Davis Media, Inc eWeek |
| due to cost factors or reduced IT staffing. | | | | benchmark test has shown MySQL to have |
| However as the number of users grows, it may | | | | performance comparable to Oracle 9i. High |
| be necessary to migrate a FileMaker database | | | | availability installations which include database |
| solution to MySQL. MySQL offers inexpensive | | | | replication and failover capability can be crucial for |
| hosting options and greater scalability which is | | | | business critical database installations. FileMaker |
| comparable to an Oracle database .FileMaker Pro | | | | does not include any type of built-in replication |
| offers unrivaled ease of use for the | | | | functionality for high availability installations. MySQL |
| implementation of workgroup-sized relational | | | | does offer a built-in active/passive replication |
| databases. Even an inexperienced user can create | | | | feature which is similar to an Oracle standby |
| their first database within a few minutes. The | | | | database configuration. |
| FileMaker Pro user interface is very intuitive, but | | | | Features of FM Migration: |
| still offers in-depth features such as scripting and | | | | - Redundant and dead code removal · |
| complex field calculations for more experienced | | | | - Classification of the complete enterprise |
| users. In a FileMaker Pro database, the display of | | | | architecture into modular framework |
| information can be customized by the creation of | | | | - Migration Layer by Layer (User/Database |
| multiple layouts. In other databases like Oracle or | | | | Security/Inheritance) |
| SQL Server this functionality is implemented by | | | | - Repeating Fields Extraction to MySQL |
| creating a view within the database. | | | | - Repeating Field Table Creation SQL Code |
| This article covers the procedures involved with | | | | Created Automatically |
| migrating a FileMaker database running on | | | | - MacOS X and Windows Compatibility |
| Windows to a MySQL database running on any | | | | FileMaker to MySQL migration tasks: |
| platform. One of the shortcomings of FMP is its | | | | - Creating a list of fields and field types available |
| poor manageability. If you create a new field, | | | | within the FileMaker Pro database. |
| change a field property, or edit a layout in FMP, | | | | - Creating a MySQL database which will contain |
| the Web server will not work at the time of | | | | new database tables (unless a database has |
| editing. Another weakness is its relative low | | | | already been created). |
| performance. To compensate for this, one can | | | | - Creating a new MySQL database user account |
| configure FMP server clusters to distribute the | | | | which will be used to log in and use the new table. |
| queries in a round-robin load sharing fashion. The | | | | - Creating the new MySQL database table to |
| migration task is part of a larger re-engineering | | | | match the structure of the FileMaker database.· |
| effort to properly normalize the FileMaker data | | | | - Transferring the data from the FileMaker Pro |
| and create a corporate-wide user interface for | | | | database into MySQL. |
| the data. Migration of the data represents only | | | | FileMaker Pro is a versatile easy to use |
| the first step in the process. The second part of | | | | workgroup database application. But if you need |
| the engineering effort involves using SQL | | | | functionality not included in FileMaker Pro such as |
| commands to cleanse the data and copy the data | | | | better scalability, replication, or inexpensive hosting |
| to the new normalized database tables. This task | | | | at an existing ISP, MySQL is a good alternative to |
| can be performed more efficiently in two steps | | | | consider. By simplifying the migration process |
| because the second step will involve working with | | | | from FileMaker Pro to MySQL, our Filemaker |
| data that will be entirely contained within a large | | | | Migration team helps you to utilize the best |
| database server like Oracle. | | | | database for your needs. Databases may easily |
| Why migrate? | | | | be prototyped and tested with FileMaker Pro and |
| MySQL is the most popular open-source database | | | | then migrated to MySQL if the need arises. |
| available today with an estimated user base | | | | Midsized companies like Mindfire Solutions, |
| exceeding 4 million. This popularity has led to wide | | | | Meto-sys, Adi-soft offer valuable Filemaker |
| availability of MySQL database servers within | | | | migration services to your applications. Contact |
| businesses and by ISPs. Most ISPs offer | | | | your chosen vendors today. |