A FileMaker custom app is an application created with Claris FileMaker to address the specific needs of a business or organization.
The term custom app replaces what FileMaker developers traditionally called a solution. In FileMaker documentation, the terms custom app, solution, database, and file may sometimes refer to the same thing.
Unlike conventional software, where the database, user interface, and application code are often separate projects, a FileMaker custom app can bring all these elements together in a single file.
More Than a Database
A FileMaker custom app contains much more than rows and columns of information. It can include:
- the database structure, including tables, fields, and relationships;
- the data entered and managed by users;
- layouts that form the application’s user interface;
- scripts that automate tasks and business processes;
- calculations and validation rules;
- reports, charts, and print formats;
- themes and visual styles;
- user accounts, privileges, and security rules.
In other words, the FileMaker file contains both the information and the application used to work with that information.
Like a Word Document, but for an Application
A useful comparison is a Microsoft Word document.
A Word file does not contain only the words that appear on the page. It also contains styles, page formatting, tables, images, headers, footers, and perhaps a table of contents.
Similarly, a FileMaker file does not contain only database records. It can also contain the structure, screens, workflows, calculations, reports, and security settings required to turn that data into a usable application.
This all-in-one architecture makes FileMaker custom apps easy to copy, deploy, back up, and share.
One File or Several Files?
A custom app may consist of a single FileMaker file or several related files.
For many applications, one file can contain everything required: customers, contacts, products, invoices, layouts, scripts, and data. More complex systems may use multiple files to separate different business areas, share common data between applications, or organize the solution’s architecture.
Whether it uses one file or several, the complete system is still referred to as a FileMaker custom app.
What Can a Custom App Do?
A custom app can be created for almost any structured business process, including:
- customer relationship management;
- quotations, orders, and invoicing;
- project and task management;
- inventory and asset tracking;
- event management;
- production planning;
- document management;
- field-service operations;
- reporting and dashboards.
Because it is custom-built, the application can follow the organization’s existing terminology, processes, and rules instead of forcing users to adapt to a generic software package.
How Is a FileMaker Custom App Shared?
A FileMaker custom app can be used locally by one person, but most professional applications are hosted on FileMaker Server or FileMaker Cloud.
Hosting allows authorized users to work with the same application and data from:
- FileMaker Pro on macOS or Windows;
- FileMaker Go on iPhone and iPad;
- a web browser through FileMaker WebDirect;
- external applications using FileMaker APIs.
A professional FileMaker hosting service such as fmcloud.fm makes the custom app continuously available while managing the FileMaker Server infrastructure, backups, security, SSL certificates, monitoring, and software updates.
Does “Custom” Mean Starting from Scratch?
Not necessarily.
A FileMaker custom app can be created from an empty file, a template, an existing application, or an imported dataset such as an Excel workbook. Developers can also add reusable modules and FileMaker add-ons.
What makes it custom is not how the project starts, but how the resulting application is adapted to its users and business requirements.
Claris provides an introduction to creating a FileMaker custom app, while ready-made starting points and add-ons can be found on the Claris Marketplace.
Building a Professional Custom App
FileMaker makes it possible to create a first application quickly. However, a business-critical custom app still requires careful planning.
Its developer must consider data structure, user experience, automation, access privileges, security, performance, backups, integrations, and future changes.
As a Claris Platinum Partner with 30 years of FileMaker experience, 1-more-thing designs, improves, and integrates FileMaker custom apps. Through fmcloud.fm, we also provide the specialized infrastructure required to host them securely and make them available to users worldwide.
Conclusion
A FileMaker custom app is a complete business application contained in one or more FileMaker files.
It brings together the database, data, user interface, scripts, business rules, reports, visual design, and security settings. This integrated architecture is one of FileMaker’s principal strengths: it allows organizations to create applications tailored to the way they actually work and to deploy them without assembling a large collection of separate technologies.
