Solving problems for 30+ years
I've been involved in creating many hundreds of custom solutions in a wide variety of industries. Some types of systems include CRM, document management, workflow automation, business intelligence and dashboarding, loan management, medical research, asset tracking, inventory management, point-of-sale, hospitality, and more. Many clients I've worked with have said that the FileMaker-based solutions we've built have been the key to their success.
Pros
I started using FileMaker in 1986. Even with the limitations of that early version (like having to swap floppy disks on a Mac Plus), FileMaker transformed the way I thought about data. FileMaker's track record spans decades and that speaks volumes about its value and utility. Today's FileMaker, while still being true to its roots of simple and intuitive database management, has grown to be a formidable platform for collecting, analyzing, and sharing information. Adoption of modern standards like HTML5, REST, JSON, and OAuth allow us to deploy solutions quickly and integrate with practically anything.
Cons
While the FileMaker platform provides a remarkably consistent experience, there are some gaps and inconsistencies in features between the two server options (FileMaker Server and FileMaker Cloud) as well as between the clients (FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker Go, and FileMaker WebDirect). This can sometimes require extra effort or workarounds to ensure everything functions as users expect.
