Question

Access vs. Filemaker

Asked by: justinmagaram

Can anyone explain whether FileMaker or Access is a better tool for a school database to track people, mailing lists, donations and pledges, fundraising campaigns, and assorted data like after-school activities and allergies? FileMaker seems easier to use for novice users. I do need sophisticated features like UNION queries, LEFT OUTER joins, multiple field keys, APPEND queries, 1-1 relationships for modeling type/subtypes, and using data from external databases.

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Asked On
2003-09-16 at 18:31:54ID20740789
Tags

filemaker

,

access

,

vs

Topic

FileMaker Pro Database

Participating Experts
4
Points
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Answers

 

by: frankmorrisonPosted on 2003-09-16 at 18:48:25ID: 9374936

Filemaker is by Far a better tool than Access.  You can even deploy your database to the web.  You will be able to do UNION queries, LEFT OUT joins, multiple field keys, APPEND queries, 1 to 1 relationships, etc.  However, the mechanism to do the above is a little different.

 

by: lesouefPosted on 2003-09-17 at 12:45:58ID: 9381067

FMP is better. Access is an entry product and won't be able to work as server + clients unless you buy SQL server afterwards, but check out the price.
Otherwise, apart from mentionned reasons above, it works on Mac's and PC's (server can also run under Linux) which may be of some interest in yr area.
Only advantages for Access: better search and sorting speed, can use visual basic for queries if you are already aware, can handles a lot more system functions via VB which FM does not do natively, but there is a vast choice of add-ons to do it.
FM limit: does not like big tables: over 300000 records, starts to be slow, very slow.
The plus: can sync tables on yr Palm with FM mobile. there should be a version for pocket PC on its way

 

by: PotzUKPosted on 2003-09-18 at 09:22:49ID: 9387456

See http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/pdf/fm_vs_access_overview.pdf

I have this on my desk and throw it at people when the make Access databases and come crawling back to me for help :)

 

by: smphotoPosted on 2003-09-30 at 20:41:28ID: 9463589

I have worked on and supported the exact school database you are seeking. It even had a Lasso web interface for teachers to take attendance and to enter report cards through a web browser from any Internet connected computer.  If you are interested, I can arrange a demo. I don't own the code, but the company I did it for is interested in marketing it. Let me know.
stuart@smphoto.com

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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