Hardware

Before I go on, I better disclose my bias in connection with this review. I have been a FileMaker user and fan for a long time. While this review addresses FileMaker Mobile 2.0, its dependence on FileMaker Pro makes it reasonable and appropriate to take a few words to address the parent database program. FileMaker Pro is a good, solid, reliable work-horse of a program that is versatile. It’s available in versions with prices reflective of additional capabilities. The basic single-user program is $249, Server version is $999, Developer version is $499 and Unlimited (Web-enabled) version is $999.

One more thing, just to sweeten the pot, FileMaker comes with a good supply of ready-made templates to provide databases for many uses. You can access additional templates through a variety of sources. One of the beauties of FileMaker Pro is you can modify templates to your personal specifications.

Once you have the database program, FileMaker Mobile lets you take the information with you by transferring up to 5,000 records and up to 50 fields for each database to your Palm OS handheld as part of the normal HotSync operation. FileMaker Pro data transfers through whatever process you normally use to synchronize. The database on the handheld is “live,” and you can add to, edit and delete records on the handheld and then update the master database the next time you HotSync your handheld.

FileMaker Mobile 2.0 updates and improves on the previous version. New features include the increased capacity to up to 50 fields, and six new ways to enter data on the handheld including:

• Pop-up menus, pop-up lists and check boxes that can be transferred from a desktop database.
• Phone numbers in the Palm address book that can be inserted directly into FileMaker Mobile.
• New date and time picker makes it easier and faster to enter information.
• New “Note” feature allows the expansion of certain fields to fill the handheld screen, making data entry easier.

FileMaker Mobile 2.0 also makes it easier to navigate data by allowing users to lock down an important first column of data and easily reorder and resize columns. Good news for Sony CLIE and HandEra 330 users — the new version supports the jog wheel or jog-dial on your handheld for easy navigation.

One fun feature of the program is if you use a color-enabled handheld, the program allows you to set the color of the font in each field independently to make it easier to find and focus on information in the database.

FileMaker Mobile 2.0 is almost as flexible as the desktop version. While you can have up to 50 fields transferred from the desktop to the handheld in each database, you don’t have to have that many. However many fields are in your database, you can select up to 50 of them to transfer to the handheld. The fields not transferred don’t appear on the handheld, but remain a part of the database and are not affected by the synchronization process. You also can choose which records to transfer. Once you have transferred data to the handheld, the program automatically translates the desktop layout into the list view and record view layouts optimized for the Palm OS device. Additionally, you can resize columns or reorder them to facilitate your use and evaluation of the data.

But nothing is perfect; FileMaker Mobile 2.0 is designed to work only with nonrelational databases and the single-user edition of the program. If you want to use information from a relational database on your handheld, you will have to create a flat file version of the database by exporting the dated into separate fields. However, the company has stated it plans to continually evolve the program and plans exist for future iterations to support true multi-user databases as well as the Pocket PC platform.

If you have FileMaker Mobile, the additional benefits of FileMaker Mobile 2.0 will make the program more useful, but might not be worth $49. But, the people at FileMaker have figured out that users might have that reaction, and you can download the upgrade to FileMaker Mobile 2.0 free (at that price, I’ll take two). Remember, FileMaker Mobile 2.0 requires FileMaker Pro 5.5 Version 2, so if you have an older version you will have to upgrade to use the Mobile addition.

Price: $49; upgrade free for Mobile 1.0 users

Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000, Mac OS 8.1 to 9.1 and X, v. 10.1 and Palm OS 3.1 and higher

Reviewed by Jeffrey Allen, a general practice attorney with an emphasis in real estate, business transactions and litigation based in Oakland, Calif.

Aug/Sept '02 Issue

PROS
Reasonably priced accessory program that allows you to take and use database files on the road. Works with both Macintosh and Windows platforms.

CONS
It only works with nonrelational databases, flat file forms of relational databases and local versions of multiuser databases.

VERDICT
For any users who use FileMaker Pro or are considering using it, Mobile 2.0 is a valuable add-on.

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Updated 07/30/02
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