FileMaker Pro 2013 released with deeper iOS integration, web-based data entry and more

FileMaker Pro 13 (teaser 002)

Following a website leak yesterday, Apple subsidiary FileMaker, formerly Claris, today announced a brand new version of its namesake cross-platform relational database application for Mac and Windows PCs. FileMaker Pro 13 comes with more than fifty new features and a new pricing scheme.

The new features include stronger AES 256-bit data encryption, additional tools inside companion iOS apps that support one-step creation of iPhone and iPad database layouts, a brand new HTML5-based support for easy data entry using any standards-compliant web browser such as Apple’s Safari and Google’s Chrome and much, much more…

FileMaker Pro 13 ships with eleven new themes and additional styles and will secure your data using AES 256-bit encryption as it travels between platforms or gets stored locally or in the cloud.

The refreshed iPad and iPhone app lets you scan barcodes using a device’s camera for quick data entry and supports both portrait and landscape data-entry layouts while adding new behaviors like sliders and popovers and seven soft keyboards optimized for text, numbers, date entry and more.

FileMaker’s press release mentions the following key features:

  • FileMaker WebDirect, an entirely new, HTML5 browser-based technology that allows teams to create and deploy desktop-style solutions in a web browser with no programming skills required.
  • Tools to create amazing iPad and iPhone solutions that support even more iOS behaviors, including slide controls, popovers and the ability to scan records using gestures. iPad and iPhone layouts can now be created in one step; and iOS solutions can include single-click capture of bar codes using on-device cameras and custom keyboards that speed data entry.
  • Major improvements to design capabilities, including support for shareable custom themes and styles, and the ability to drag and drop data fields onto design layouts.
  • More robust security, with AES 256-bit encryption that locks down data no matter where it lives – on iPad, iPhone, desktop or server. FileMaker Pro 13 Advanced is used to enable encryption.
  • Dozens of new enhancements for solution developers, from the ability to hide or display objects on a screen based on business logic to easier integration with web applications.
  • Simplified server administration, including an entirely new HTML5 administrative console in FileMaker Server 13 for managing business solutions from anywhere.

The new FileMaker Pro 13 is available as both a traditional software license and on a subscription-basis. If you want to buy FileMaker Pro 13 outright, the suite will set you back $329, with upgrades for existing users starting at $179.

Monthly subscription under the  FileMaker Annual Volume License Agreement starts at just nine bucks for FileMaker Pro, fifteen bucks for FileMaker Pro Advanced and $29 for FileMaker Server and is billed annually.

FileMaker Pro 13 (teaser 001)

Complex projects will also require concurrent server connections for FileMaker Go or FileMaker WebDirect, priced at $25 per 5-pack per month and available from FileMaker and software resellers.

The universal FileMaker Go 13 app is free from the App Store.

More information is available at the FileMaker website.