One of the unfortunate truths about Claris FileMaker™ is that it is far too well-kept of a secret. There is a reason why I have worked with it for 30 years, 21 of them in a professional capacity: it’s a fantastic tool for solving problems in organizations of all kinds! I would not have stuck with it for so long if it wasn’t so darn good at what it does – and what it does is so unique, so efficient, and so broadly capable that there is no reason to look elsewhere.
Like a lot of FileMaker developers, I fell into it naturally – I had a business problem to solve at my employer, and it was the right tool at the right time. Over the years, as the product grew in capability, so did I. FileMaker is the kind of tool you can just grow into, even if some of its more advanced features require some level of training to master.
This is why I am so excited that Claris is offering a free FileMaker Developer Subscription (FDS) to students and workers who have been displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an amazing opportunity to explore a career in software development, using tools that offer an easy point of entry and lots of room for growth. If you are a student or displaced worker, or if you know someone who fits that description, please take the time to explore the FDS.
The Claris FDS includes (from the website): “everything you need to learn Claris FileMaker: FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, FileMaker Go, FileMaker WebDirect, and the FileMaker Data API. Also included are the FileMaker iOS App SDK (software development kit), the FileMaker data migration tool, and the FileMaker app upgrade tool.”
Essentially, it’s the entire FileMaker platform. With a veritable bounty of online learning resources and certified trainers, you can gain a new skill that will lead to new career opportunities. I strongly encourage anyone who has ever been interested in software development, but didn’t know where to begin, to give the Claris FDS a look!
The FileMaker Developer Subscription can be requested using this form.
