FileMaker Boosts Speed Of Database Server Software

FileMaker Server 8, which targets enterprises with as many as 250 concurrent users and 125 database files, boasts a redesigned engine that's up to 89 percent faster at searching, entering, deleting, and editing data than FileMaker Server 7.

"It's substantially faster, and our beta testers have confirmed that it produces results where it matters the most," said Ryan Rosenberg, a vice president with FileMaker, in a statement. "Overall, FileMaker Server 8, along with the new FileMaker Pro 8, offer a great deal of gain, with very little pain."

The new server software also features better reliability, error capture, event logging, and diagnostics, said the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company. It support all the new features of FileMaker Pro 8 and FileMaker Pro 8 Advanced, and works with a mix of FileMaker Pro 8 and FileMaker Pro 7 clients.

FileMaker said it plans to release additional editions of Server 8 this fall, including an advanced version that adds Web publishing and external connectivity options, as well as Mobile 8, a Pro 8 add-on created for Palm OS and Pocket PC handhelds.

FileMaker Server 8 is available now from the firm at a price of $999. Server 7 users can upgrade for $299, while users of Server 5.5 or 6 can do the same for $599.

The server software runs on both Mac OS X or Windows.