Database Reference
In-Depth Information
cerns, then go ahead and test it out. But if you need to be sure all your database's features
will work, stick with a browser on the list.
NOTE
To avoid using a browser, you can use FileMaker Go on iOS devices. As with FileMaker Pro,
FileMaker Go version 11 and below can't open files with the .fmp extension. Even FileMaker Go 12
can't understand some elements introduced in FileMaker 13, like slide controls and popovers. On
the upside, FileMaker Go 13 is free.
UP TO SPEED: CONCURRENT CONNECTIONS
FileMaker Go and WebDirect share data with your remote users, but FileMaker Server requires li-
censes for each simultaneous connection beyond the one included with your purchase of Server.
These licensed connections are called
concurrent connections
, and they only relate to sharing with
FileMaker Go or through the browser. FileMaker Pro connections are not included in the concurrent
connection count, and neither are Custom Web Publishing or xDBC connections, which are covered
by FileMaker Server's regular licensing fees.
Since most WebDirect use should be light and brief—as when users need to view or edit data
quickly and then go about their non-computer work—you aren't likely to need an individual connec-
tion for every remote user. Figure out the largest number of users who'll need to connect to your
database at one time and then buy just that many licenses. For example, if you have sales people
across the country who all need to view the database first thing in the morning to get their daily as-
signments, they'll have staggered start times, due to time zones, so this will decrease the number of
concurrent connections you'll need. Remember though, that one user can use up
more
than one con-
current connection. For example, if one person connects to your database using an iPhone, an iPad,
and two web browser tabs, she's hogging four connections.
If you don't license enough concurrent connections, some users will be locked out until a connection
becomes available. However, it's easy to buy another pack of connections once you know you need
more. For information on concurrent connection pricing and determining how many concurrent con-
nections you need, see
www.filemaker.com/products/filemaker-serve/docs/concur-
Understanding WebDirect Compatibility
Although your database
looks
the same whether you view it in FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go,
or in a web browser through WebDirect, not all of FileMaker's features work in FileMaker
Go or WebDirect. The biggest limitation is that you can't create new databases, and you can't
you edit much of anything but the data in your existing ones. So think of FileMaker Pro as
the place where you do all your database development tasks, and FM Go and WebDirect as
