FM Extensions Installer

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1 Seat, $39

About FMExtensionsInstaller

FM Extensions Installer (FMEI) is a FileMaker database that install FileMaker extensions. We provide the full source code so you can integrate its functionality to your own solution. We also include step by step instructions on how to integrate FMEI info your solution in under 15 minutes.

It’s easy to install extensions manually if you are a seasoned FileMaker developer. However it is especially difficult if you need to describe how to install an extension over the phone to someone with less experience.

Quotes from Developers

LabScores – “The seamless integration of FMExtensionInstaller from the specialists at CampSoftware bypasses issues with the AutoUpdate function of FileMaker Server in some restrictive IT environments. This nifty piece of software ensures more reliable update installations of plugins when they become available in a LabScores upgrade.”

Deployment Methods

We needed a method to make sure that the users of our products have the latest version of the extensions installed.

FileMaker databases can be deployed three ways: as a single user, using peer to peer sharing, and using FileMaker Server. FMEI can help with all three method of deployment. Single user and peer to peer sharing offer no method to install extensions. FileMaker Server offers this ability, but it is generally not used my most server administrators. FM Extensions Installer works with all three deployments methods.

Setup and Integration

Set up is simple. You import the extension and provide information about the extension such as its name, platform, and such. That’s it. Integrating FM Extensions Installer to your solution is not difficult for developers familiar with moving tables, custom functions, scripts, and layouts from one database to another. We are available to provide this service as well.

How does it work for the end user?

First we find the extensions for the platform being used that need to be updated. If there are extensions installed with the same names, we disable them. Then we copy the new extensions to the FileMaker Extensions folder. Finally, we ask the user to quit FileMaker and relaunch the database.

Benefits

We developed FM Extensions Installer to install extensions into the solutions that we develop. Here are a few benefits:

Easy – Once FM Extensions Installer is implemented in your solution, you will be able to update your extensions in minutes.
Consistent – No matter if you are deploying your database via single user, peer to peer, or FileMaker Server, FM Extensions Installer works the same way.
Multi Platform – FM Extensions Installer works with Mac on PowerPC, Mac on Intel, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

Licensing

We request that one license be purchased for each solution that you offer. For instance, we sell a product called ‘FM Small Business’. Although we sell this to many different customers, we would only need to purchase one license. If we created a new product such as, ‘FM ThingAMaJob’, we would need to purchase an addtional license.

Support

Support is available at our standard rates. We can provide support via phone, email, remote control, or at your office.

Integration

FM Extensions Installer is designed to make it easy to integrate into your solution. Assuming that you have FileMaker development experience and use FileMaker Pro Advanced, copy and paste the Table, Custom Functions, Scripts, and Layouts to your solution.

System Requirements

FileMaker 9.0v3 or later.
Operating System requirements must match FileMaker Pro requirements with the exception of the screen resolution must be 1024×768 or larger. Slight larger will reduce scrolling. A faster CPU and additional RAM will perform better.
Mac OS X 10.4.8, PowerPC G3, G4, G5 or Intel-based Mac, 256 MB of RAM
Mac OS X 10.5, PowerPC G4 (867MHz+), Power PC G5, or Intel-based Mac, 512 MB of RAM
Windows XP Professional, Home Edition (Service Pack 2), Pentium III 500MHz or higher, 256MB of RAM
Windows Vista Ultimate, Business, Home *, 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or higher
512 MB of RAM

Screenshots

FMEI-Detail

FMEI-List

History Show More

As changes are made and new updates become available notes will be posted here.

Questions and Answers

Q: Can I install extensions into the alternative user FileMaker extensions folder or the application FileMaker extensions folder?

A: Yes. You can choose which folder to use on an extension by extension basis. FMEI will remove prior versions from both folders.

Q: Do I need to quit FileMaker and then relaunch FileMaker after installing extensions?

A: Yes. FMEI simply copies the extensions to the correct folder as well as moving the prior versions to a disabled folder. Unfortunately, we have no way to send a request to the FileMaker application to reload the new extensions.

Q: Why do I need to run FileMaker as an administrator when using Windows Vista?

A: Windows Vista does not allow us to create folders or move files unless the FileMaker application has administrator privileges. Windows XP and the Mac OS does not have this problem.

Q: How do I integrate FM Extensions Installer into my solution?

A: Simply follow the Solution Integration instructions and use the integration-targeted scripts to aid in moving FMExtensionsInstaller into your solution. Thorough step by step instructions allow copy-paste integration in under 15 minutes.