OT: Filemaker 8

[Kroboth, Joe]

Ken,

Our business (like many) have completely changed over the last 10 years with
most of the change coming over the last 5 years.  We now capture and store
tons of data from many sources.  Every new Machine in our industry, be it a
printing press or a piece of bindery equipment can be 'programmed' instead
of manual setup.   

Along with this machine data we are now storing all customers files and
plates digitally.  We currently store about 6-7 TB of data.  

Our younger employees who grew up with computers can visually handle tons of
information at one time.  Something you can't give them in a 80x24 screen.
We also need graphical screens to show image files and the ability to use a
mouse. They also understand what they can do with the data.  Creating
exports so they can mine for information in excel and other programs is
becoming a pain. People have great ideas for reports.  It would be nice to
let them make their own in a graphical environment.  We tried purchasing
reportPro for this but it turns out it was awkward to use and wasn't Y2K
compliant.

Up to a couple of weeks ago I thought I could get away without ODBC but all
the new pre-press workflow software we look at has the ability to connect
via ODBC and update production databases.  I'm tired of all the workarounds
and double entry.

Not only has our business changed but so have our customers. The print
buyers are all computer literate.  They want to order online, Check status
online, view invoices online.  This is the true 'I want it now' generation.
We need to be quick and nimble and change with their needs our they will go
else where. There seems to be no loyalty anymore.

While I'm confident that you Ken, and others can make this all work with
filepro.  We don't have the time, expertise or money to accomplish this with
filepro.   

Just to start I would need fileProODBC, FileproGI, FileproCGI.  If another
tool can do all this with more ease and cost less,  I need to start moving
in that direction.

I have used Filepro for about 20 years now.  Since I was 18.  It pains me to
look for another solution. 

Joe Kroboth
Chernay Printing, Inc   

  

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth Brody [mailto:kenbrody at bestweb.net]
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 6:08 PM
To: Kroboth, Joe
Cc: 'filepro-list at seaslug.org'
Subject: Re: OT: Filemaker 8


Quoting Kroboth, Joe (Thu, 2 Feb 2006 17:22:57 -0500):

> Since the changes in filepro are not coming as fast as we need them,
> we are looking at several alternatives.  One being Filemaker.  Anyone
> using this with success?  The development time of new applications and
> ease of changes is what has been keeping us with filePro since the 80's.
> Hoping to find a something with the same ease of use.

What is it that you're looking to do that you are having trouble with in
filePro?

--
KenBrody at BestWeb dot net        spamtrap: <g8ymh8uf001 at sneakemail.com>
http://www.hvcomputer.com
http://www.fileProPlus.com