FileMaker Pro became the database platform of choice for thousands of small and medium businesses through the 1990s and 2000s. Custom solutions for managing contacts, jobs, inventory, and billing were built by FileMaker consultants who have since moved on — leaving businesses dependent on systems nobody can maintain.
The FileMaker problem
FileMaker solutions age in a specific way. The platform has evolved significantly over the years, and solutions built in older versions don’t always work in newer ones. The consultants who built these systems often:
- Used techniques specific to older versions that no longer work
- Left without documentation or handover
- Built workflows that are deeply embedded in the business but nobody fully understands
The result: a system the business depends on that nobody can modify and that may break on the next platform update.
What I do
- Data extraction from FileMaker databases to portable formats (CSV, SQL)
- Documentation of layouts, scripts, calculations, and business logic
- Analysis of what's being actively used versus what can be retired
- Migration options — upgrade the FileMaker solution or move to a modern platform
- Rebuild planning for businesses ready to move off FileMaker entirely
What I need
- The FileMaker file(s) —
.fp7,.fmp12, or older formats - A description of what the solution does and what problem you need to solve
- Access to the running system if possible
Tell me about your FileMaker system
Describe the situation — what the database does, what version it's on, and what you need to achieve. I'll respond with an honest view of the options.