Hey, All,
Can I gather a few FileMaker pros to help me out here.
Background:
My work is transitioning from an old bandaided-to-death FM5 database system to one that I'll be creating in FM7. I'll be attempting to create it in a generic form (soft-coding what is specific to my company) that we can lease out to other similar companies.
The Setup:
Well, I'd like to set the solution up in two files. One a hosted file on a FileMaker server (.fp7) that contains all of the data tables. I would like all users to access that file using a Runtime user interface file on the user's desktop.
Why Runtime? I want to use the MenuControl plugin to customize the menu bar on the interface. Simple (and relatively cheap) to do in a runtime solution (no per-seat cost and the plugin is bound to the distributed file) - far too expensive and difficult to implement in a standard file (superhigh per-seat cost, having to put the plugin in the user's FM file, and the possibility of screwing up anything else they're doing in FM).
The Problem:
Try as I may, I when I have the two files at hand and attempt to bind the UI file into a Runtime app, the app claims it can't connect to the data file because it isn't bound with it.
I've spent two days searching for an answer and have found no mention of anyone even trying this. Is it just not possible to have a Runtime app draw data from a hosted .fp7 file, or am I missing something?
If it isn't possible, does anyone know of an alternative plugin for Menu Bar control that doesn't have the high per-seat price that MenuControl and its peers have? Why this capability isn't built into Developer is beyond me. It just confuses users to see standard FM menu items when they don't match the solution and leads to a cluttered interface.
Thanks for all of your help!
Can I gather a few FileMaker pros to help me out here.
Background:
My work is transitioning from an old bandaided-to-death FM5 database system to one that I'll be creating in FM7. I'll be attempting to create it in a generic form (soft-coding what is specific to my company) that we can lease out to other similar companies.
The Setup:
Well, I'd like to set the solution up in two files. One a hosted file on a FileMaker server (.fp7) that contains all of the data tables. I would like all users to access that file using a Runtime user interface file on the user's desktop.
Why Runtime? I want to use the MenuControl plugin to customize the menu bar on the interface. Simple (and relatively cheap) to do in a runtime solution (no per-seat cost and the plugin is bound to the distributed file) - far too expensive and difficult to implement in a standard file (superhigh per-seat cost, having to put the plugin in the user's FM file, and the possibility of screwing up anything else they're doing in FM).
The Problem:
Try as I may, I when I have the two files at hand and attempt to bind the UI file into a Runtime app, the app claims it can't connect to the data file because it isn't bound with it.
I've spent two days searching for an answer and have found no mention of anyone even trying this. Is it just not possible to have a Runtime app draw data from a hosted .fp7 file, or am I missing something?
If it isn't possible, does anyone know of an alternative plugin for Menu Bar control that doesn't have the high per-seat price that MenuControl and its peers have? Why this capability isn't built into Developer is beyond me. It just confuses users to see standard FM menu items when they don't match the solution and leads to a cluttered interface.
Thanks for all of your help!