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FileMaker Pro Migration/Conversion
With the release of FileMaker® Pro 7, the file format has once again been changed to support new
features such as multiple tables per file, increased storage limits, full-featured security, and vast
improvements in how scripts and calculation functions work. To continue using your existing files from
previous versions with FileMaker Pro 7 and 8 products, you must convert these files to the new file
format used in FileMaker Pro 7 and 8. But is conversion the right path? How do you determine when it's
appropriate to rebuild? Excelisys can help you answer these and other questions. We’ve already been
working with the new versions of FileMaker Pro for over 3 years. And we have the distinction of being
the designers and developers of the “FileMaker Business Tracker”, the first
real–world example of a multi-user relational system based on the new versions of FileMaker Pro.
FileMaker Pro versions 7 and 8, for Windows and Mac OS X, have been redesigned using a modern,
streamlined relational architecture, which enables users to simplify information management by storing
multiple tables within a single file. To keep pace with rich-media management and other sophisticated
solutions, FileMaker Pro 8 dramatically expands its data capacity to 8 terabytes per file or 4,000
times the old limit.
 Customer service, quality development and complete client satisfaction are our
primary goals.
Conversion
We can help with that conversion process of your old FileMaker Pro 4/5/6 solutions up to the new and improved
FileMaker Pro 8. We will first clean up your current files, removing obsolete information and structures such
as scripts and layouts that are no longer used. Design and implement new database security in FileMaker Pro 8.
We will then convert your files then verify the conversion changes. Some databases need manual modification
after conversion, but in any event we will thoroughly test your converted database. We will test thoroughly to
make sure every aspect has been converted successfully. We will make sure that field data is correct,
calculations and validations are working properly as well as scripts and security access to touch on a few.
We then populate the converted database with current data, delete the test data and import data from converted
copies of your current database, and last but not least, deploy the converted database when we have completed
the post-conversion tasks, tested the converted database, and are confident that it is ready for use.
We'll help plan the right migration route for you whether we convert and modify,
or completely rebuild.
Rebuilding (Migration)
Because there are extensive changes and improved features since FileMaker Pro 7, it might make sense to re-create
your database in FileMaker Pro 8 rather than converting it in its current design and structure. For example,
when converting a multi-file database, the files are not combined into a single file with multiple, related tables.
The preferred route is to create a new FileMaker Pro 8 system, with as few files as necessary, taking advantage
of the new data model with all of the tables and relationships that you want, and then import data from your
original files. By designing your database in FileMaker Pro 8, we can remove obsolete functionality and benign
code, and get the full benefit of the improvements made to FileMaker Pro.
If you are feeling brave, download this
conversion guide that FileMaker, Inc. has put together.
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