EXCELISYS, INC., (www.excelisys.com) a database solution and consulting organization specializing in quality custom database application design, development, and consulting for LAN, WAN, and Web deployments is proud announce a new release of the eX BizTracker, Version 2.0!

Excelisys, Inc., a leader in the FileMaker community since 2001, rose to new heights when they were hired by FileMaker, Inc. in 2004 to create a solution that would utilize the power of the new FileMaker Pro 7 format to afford FileMaker, Inc. customers and developers alike an inside look into how to build something sleek and solid for their clients and/or their own use. To fulfill FileMaker’s request, Excelisys created the FileMaker Business Tracker and the rest, as they say, is history. With over 50,000 downloads and a continued growing customer base of satisfied users, Excelisys recognized - “We have something here!”.

The FileMaker Business Tracker is still one of the hottest free templates available for download. Developers and end-users find the GUI and feature-set very attractive, as it offers their clients and employers an advantage in building intuitive custom solutions. http://www.excelisys.com/web/downloads/fmp-bus-tracker.php

Excelisys made much needed improvements to the FileMaker Business Tracker and released their own version in 2006 called the Excelisys Business Tracker and Business Tracker Pro; incorporating the use of the Web viewer engine, a better multi-user foundation, tweaked report interface, AP and AR modules, and several other foundational enhancements.

So for 2008, hold on to your keyboard cause Excelisys plans on giving something more by taking something away from the Excelisys Biz Tracker…

The run-down of new features added to the eX Biz Tracker:

* Solid multi-user foundation supports easy expansion
* Dynamically built navigation interface based on user privileges
* Home screen with quick view of invoices and products in need of re-ordering
* Familiar BACK and FWD controls behave just like in a web browser
* Advanced multi-sorting of lists and portals
* Dynamic re-sizing of layouts; objects stretch to fit
* Track customers, products and invoices with basic inventory control
* Unlimited locations, phone and email addresses per company/contact
* Contact import takes a flat file and parses it for proper normalization
* Automatic phone number formatting based on country
* Integrated web viewer displays published product info without leaving the solution
* Processed invoices are automatically locked down to prevent unauthorized editing
* Integration with NRGship software provides a complete fulfillment solution
* Track shipment status over the internet
* Tracks payments against invoices and automatically calculates profit
* Email PDF invoices directly to customers
* Extensive use of helpful Tooltips throughout
* Powerful report engine with report preview
* Demonstration data can easily be cleared out

What we are taking away…

THE LOCK-DOWN! The Excelisys Business Tracker is now Unlocked and absolutely FREE!

To find out more - go here: http://www.excelisys.com/web/exfiles/ex-biz-tracker.php

Excelisys Contact:
Christo
866-592-9235
(574) 273-5805
christo@excelisys.com

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©2008 Excelisys, Inc., All rights reserved. FileMaker is a trademark of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Buy FileMaker Pro Software - Order FileMaker Pro Database, Easy-to-use database software, Manage people, projects, and more… As low as $179, free shipping

reposted from MacWorld:

Systems management software maker FiveRuns announced Monday that it had garnered $6.2 million in funding from Austin Ventures.

The company previously received a $2.95 million investment from Austin Ventures in October 2005, and FiveRuns executives say the additional $6.2 million validate the market interest in and significance of the Ruby on Rails platform on which the company built its product.

“All of the industry signposts are pointing to Rails becoming a significant framework for Web application development. FiveRuns is squarely positioned to augment this wave by delivering products in support of its growth,” said Olivier Thierry, president and CEO of FiveRuns, in a statement.

http://www.macworld.com/news/2007/10/29/ruby/index.php
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FileMaker to Sponsor Zend/PHP Conference

Company to showcase new built-in FileMaker API for PHP for creating dynamic data-driven Web sites

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Oct. 8, 2007 – At this year’s Zend/PHP Conference and Expo, FileMaker, Inc. will showcase the new award-wining FileMaker Pro 9 Advanced, as well as FileMaker Server 9, Oct. 8-11 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport.
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FileMakerInc./9aa049513d/ba5cec212e/3090a217f1

Attendees will see the certified FileMaker API for PHP, which is now built into FileMaker Server 9
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FileMakerInc./9aa049513d/ba5cec212e/0f25be029c
and FileMaker Server 9 Advanced
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FileMakerInc./9aa049513d/ba5cec212e/9c71b24fac.
The API helps developers deploy dynamic data-driven Web sites from applications built with FileMaker, a development tool that combines graphical layouts, scripting, and business logic programming into one seamless package. FileMaker will also showcase how anyone can make live connections to MySQL data sources, create reports and analyze data in a fraction of the time required for traditional programming tools.

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FileMaker Devcon Scandinavia - Sep. 12, 2007

The third Scandinavian FileMaker Devcon will take place 4-6th. of October in the heart of Copenhagen. Developers Northern Europe will meet and take part in an impressive conference… To accommodate attendants not speaking the Scandinavian languages the conference will be held in English.

http://www.fmpro.org/news/305895365650/

Excelisys Wants You! Seeking 2 FileMaker Experts.

We Want 2 Remote FileMaker Experts Wanting to Work 30+ Hours a Week:

- Certified Lead FileMaker Pro Developers
- Junior FileMaker Pro Developers

EXCELISYS, Inc. (www.excelisys.com), a custom database solutions development and consulting group, is currently seeking talented and motivated individuals to join the Excelisys FileMaker production team. Our goals are to foster solid long-term technology partnerships with our customers, and provide a creative and positive environment for our team members that empowers each with the confidence to thrive and do his or her best.

You’ll be working side-by-side (either virtually or physically) with some of the best-of-the-best in the FileMaker development industry while honing your own skills and talent designing, developing, and managing a variety of custom FileMaker projects.

The benefits of being part of the Excelisys team are numerous:

- Work wherever you like – at home, at Starbucks – anywhere!
- Pick your own hours – bit of a night owl? No problem.
- Tap the knowledge pool of our talented and experienced team
- Learn while you work – think you’re hot now, just wait!
- In-house contests that award winners with full-paid trips to DevCon!
- Advance access to new technologies and product development
- 50% reimbursement of the FileMaker Certification Exam fee upon passing
- Better pay and incentives for Certified FileMaker Pro Developers
- We help you stay organized using our web-based project mgmt system
- A refreshing “culture” that stimulates growth and emphasizes individualism

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Here’s what some of our developers have to say about working with Excelisys:

“I used to spend a lot of my time looking for development work or chasing down clients who owed me money. In between, I’d squeeze in the time to do the actual work. Even though I charged a decent hourly rate, I was really making much less since I couldn’t work 40 hours a week, let alone 20. Excelisys has allowed me to focus on what I really love most: creating, designing and programming. I don’t have to wear all those other hats anymore; instead I have more time to work and earn a living, plus more leisure time to spend with my family!”

“Since joining Excelisys I’ve learned so much. I used to think I was a pretty good programmer; they must have thought so too since they
hired me. But now I’ve become so much more valuable! It’s not enough to know how to program, you’ve got to know how to get the customer excited about the work, show them your passion. Before, I used to try to impress them with some wicked code I wrote. But since it’s hard to see what’s under-the-hood, that wasn’t always enough. Being part of the Excelisys team has taught me not only how to be a better developer, but how to present my work with much higher value and keep the customer steadily satisfied and confident.”

“I’m proud to work with Excelisys. They’re not just another meat grinder looking for “code monkeys”. They are the real deal. They truly care about their customers, AND their developers!”

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FileMaker Upgrades Popular Business Productivity Kit

Adds Web integration and enhanced customization; available with free trial of FileMaker Pro 9

SANTA CLARA, CA – September 12, 2007 – FileMaker, Inc. announced today the immediate availability of its upgraded Business Productivity Kit (download it now at http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FileMakerInc./ed02597e63/3441985089/abab2f5ae6), which is designed to help small businesses be instantly productive and grow as the business grows. Improvements to the Business Productivity Kit include integration with live Web data with the FileMaker Web Viewer, improved layout design and increased customization.

Small businesses can use the Business Productivity Kit immediately for tracking customer and vendor contacts, sales, product information, invoicing, shipping and other key business data – all in one integrated database solution. The kit also provides a “How to Build This Solution Yourself” learning guide complete with sample graphics to assist users in customizing their database.

“The FileMaker Business Productivity Kit provides a fast-track for getting productive in just minutes using FileMaker Pro 9 and has been tremendously popular with small business users since its introduction in 2005,” said Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, marketing and services, FileMaker, Inc. “With our upgraded kit, users can now deploy our latest Web and customization tools to intelligently, quickly and easily manage all the data essential to small business success.”

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This past Tuesday, it was announced by MYSQL AB that FileMaker joined their Enterprise Connection Alliance, a new business partner program run by MYSQL.

The news release is available at http://www.mysql.com/news-and-events/press-release/release_2007_04.html.

FileMaker, Inc. posted a small site providing further details and a form for those interested in receiving trial code when it becomes available.

I am sure that I do not need to tell this to an experienced developer, but just incase you ever run into a complex data conversion, especially one involving large record sets, large complex solution, or simply very complicated data massaging, here are some tricks to make your job easier.
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Setting The PrimaryID in Your Database Solutions.

I have written this as part of my standard setup for all FileMaker Pro database solutions that I develop, however the concepts are valid for any kind of database solution no matter what development environment or platform you choose. Obviously the functions listed are specific to FileMaker Pro, and should be substituted for the appropriate functionality in your development tool.

Here is a listing of the standard fields that I think all databases should have.

Serial Number: This is the classic auto-entered sequential Serial Number. This is simply so useful in a number of different situation that no database should be without it.
Creation Date
Creation AccountName
Modification Date
Modification AccountName: All of the above are part of the audit logging of the database record and provide the developer with lots of good information.

There is one field that I left out of the above list. The PRIMARY ID. What is a primaryID and why is it useful? Why not just use the Serial Number from the above list.

In what ways can a primaryID be implemented? What is my preferred method?

Since I am continually explaining this concept, I thought that I might post a FAQ on how to create a unique, non-sequential, non-random automatically entered record ID for you to use as the Primary key in your files for a relational database system.

I give all of my files a PrimaryID_key, which is setup as part of an auto-entered calculation into a text field. The calculation is basically the concatenation of an internal RecordID, plus the current Date and the current Time. In general it is implemented as follows:

Right( “000000″ & Status(CurrentRecordID), 6 ) & “-” &
Right( “000000″ & Status(CurrentTime), 6 ) & “-” &
Right( “000000″ & Status(CurrentDate), 6 )

This produces a result something like this: 00080-105221-032207

Why is the a PrimaryID a TEXT (or STRING) type field? Well there are several reasons: there is virtually nothing that you cannot do with a text field; actual text characters as well as numbers and symbols can be put into a text field and are indexed; leading and trailing zeros are preserved correctly. These are my main reasons for doing this.
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