Thoughts on Design, FileMaker, DevCon, Pause on Error, ROI (Return on Investment), and anything else related to what The Alchemy Group does on a daily basis. We care, so we share whatever we can with you. We are a full-featured FileMaker Pro development shop, with years of experience building systems for businesses, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations exactly like yours. Your unique processes will be exactly mirrored by the custom software we write for you, whether it’s for mobile or desktop.
Common Scaling Challenges and How to Handle Them
In the world of business, it seems like you're either growing or you're on the road to shutting down. Everyone wants to grow, to hire more employees, and to serve more people. However, growth handled improperly can be very dangerous for any company, no matter how...
Why Custom Business Software is Worth It
Figuring out ways to work harder rather than smarter is difficult when you're in the thick of running a business. If you feel like you don't have the time to lift your head and consider new possibilities, you aren't alone. The good news is, there are entire teams...
Passwords in the New Security Age
In my time representing a custom app development business, I have had the chance to visit hundreds of work sites, spanning many different industries. Security is always a concern for CEOs and IT professionals. A company’s data is a core asset which includes customer...
FileMaker HQ Up Close
Recently, on a slightly chilly Northern California day, I visited the Wedge (named for it's unique architectural shape), FileMaker's HQ in Silicon Valley. I believe this was my fourth visit, and as usual, the FMI management and staff were not only welcoming, but also...
Burned
“I’ve Been Burned Before” My daughter’s first musical theatre gig was at age five, playing a sugar cube alongside talented kids of all ages in a production of “Beauty and the Beast.” One scene that particularly stood out for me was when the servant-turned-candlestick,...
Benefits of Custom vs COTS Software
Business in the modern world runs on a drastically different landscape than it did fifty, or even twenty years ago. Sure, our working memory may no be what it used to be, but we have more information at our fingertips than ever before. That is because for decades...
Be a Visionary: Budget for Custom Software
In 1989, I had been working for a large metropolitan weekly newspaper for the better part of a decade. I was a jack of all trades when it came to the graphics department: graphics camera operator, paste-up artist, typesetter – all essential tasks when it came to...
Alchemy Webinar: Mobility for Field Service Teams
If you missed Alchemy Consulting President Bob Shockey's 35-minute webinar, presented in conjunction with FileMaker, Inc. on August 8, 2017, you missed out on the opportunity to see how quickly a new custom app for your business pays for itself. But, you are in luck!...
Technology and Business: A Love Story
Here at Alchemy Consulting Group, we provide software for business data organization using FileMaker to create a customized software solution. We love FileMaker for all its functionality and customization features. Our love of bringing technology and business...
Filemaker: An Overview
In today’s world, if you ignore advances in technology there is a good chance that your business could get left in the dust. NASA may still use old computing technology, but the day to day stuff (GPS tracking, swiping your credit card, daily planning apps) usually...