FileMaker DevCast: Everything Claris FileMaker

In their spare time, John, Xandon, and Jacob have been creating personal web apps. John is creating a healthcare referral portal that easily and efficiently collects and processes referral submissions. Xandon is prepping for his kid's college days by having all the info they need, like planning, admissions, and athletic recruiting in one space. Jacob is making a homeschool learning platform for hi...

One little ExecuteSQL query can’t hurt… right? In this episode, the team unpacks the FileMaker performance issues hiding inside real-world solutions. Runaway SQL calls, invisible object calculations, and AI-generated code that looked smart until it brought everything to a crawl. They discuss debugging wins, optimization tips, and the kinds of “how did this even happen?” moments that every develope...

Welcome to an inside look at how our devs are testing out where AI can help versus hinder every day work conundrums. Our team's focus in this meeting is Claude Cowork, a tool designed to track everything within a specified local folder. As for team demonstrations and discussions, Xandon uses a plugin that parses FileMaker XML to generate web-based code reviews and actionable recommendations. Nick...

The Portage Bay team sits down for a conversation about the tools and workflows that support their day-to-day work. Their discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the devs approach problem-solving, collaboration, and efficiency as they kick off the year. The team dives into the systems and tools they use regularly, like FM Perception, Base Elements, and 2Empower which support code navigat...

We had the pleasure of hearing Charles Delfs break down HAM (Headless Authorization Module) as he showed us how this system transforms the way you manage roles, permissions, and feature access in FileMaker. Inheritance, overrides, and data-driven rules can replace brittle security setups and open use cases like feature flags, SaaS plans, and time-based access.

We’re diving into the latest updates to FM Better Forms and taking a closer look at one of our own client’s web apps built on the platform. We share what’s new in Better Forms and how we’ve used it to build modern, real-world web apps that bridge the gap between low-code speed and polished web performance while combating challenges like caching.

Virtual lists are one of the most powerful and flexible techniques in FileMaker, giving developers the ability to generate custom reports, create dynamic pickers, and display complex data without storing it in fields. The team breaks down the essentials, like how global variables and JSON arrays feed into unstored calculations, how scripts can define headers and build arrays with SQL or looping, a...

Join our development team as we share real-world insights from recent API integration projects—including SharePoint, Shopify, QuickBooks, and Claris Connect. From handling authentication quirks to leveraging tools like Postman and n8n, this DevCast dives into the decisions, roadblocks, and solutions behind the systems we build. Whether you're navigating OAuth, working with REST vs. GraphQL, or exp...

In this episode of FileMaker DevCast, we dive into n8n—a flexible, low-code workflow automation platform that gives you total control over how your systems talk to each other. We explore how n8n stacks up against tools like Zapier and Claris Connect, and walk through live examples of connecting Google Forms, FileMaker, email services, and even local AI agents. Learn how to build scalable, resilien...

Joe, John, and Xandon were able to attend Claris Engage this week, at the Apple campus in Austin. They recorded a DevCast session while still in the capital of Texas, to recap some of their observations and experiences about the latest news and trends in the FileMaker ecosystem.  Dan Smiley joined as our ever-illustrious host, along with a few more of our Portage Bay staff - Mike Ross, and our new...

The Portage Bay team welcomes Julie Sigfrinius, from Claris, to discuss plans for the upcoming Claris Engage 2025 , which is less than three months away. Listen to hear key reasons why you should attend this 26th FileMaker developer conference.  Get access to product updates and innovations, as well as Claris experts and leaders. Develop your skills through networking, mentoring, and training.  Le...

In Episode 20 of the FileMaker DevCast, join our ⁠Portage Bay⁠ developers as they talk web apps. Charles, Jacob, Joe, John, Mike, & Russell discuss the nuances of deciding what approach to use when integrating FileMaker data with a web front-end. Do you stick with ⁠WebDirect⁠ , branch out to using ⁠FM BetterForms⁠ , or commit to full-stack development? WebDirect has an advantage of proven simp...

Join us for a very special in-depth interview with Lucy Chen, VP of Claris Engineering. Kate Waldhauser hosts this special edition of the FileMaker DevCast, as Lucy gives us a glimpse behind the scenes of the engineering world at Claris, an Apple Company. Lucy shares insights as to how new features get into the product and how the latest version improves performance, reliability and security. She...

Enjoy Episode 18 of the FileMaker DevCast as our developers discuss JSON , along with special guest Matt Navarre of Navarre Training . We explore the latest tools, techniques, and best practices for using JSON to build fully capable custom applications in FileMaker. "Basically, if you're a FileMaker developer, at this point ... you cannot afford not to get really good at using JSON. It's ... no lo...

In this episode of the FileMaker DevCast, we welcome Mike Ross to the  Portage Bay team . Mike is a seasoned FileMaker developer with over 35 years of experience and discusses his transition from running a one-person business to joining Portage Bay for continuity of care, shared expertise, and collaboration. He shares his approach to database development, emphasizing simplicity and client involvem...

In this episode of the FileMaker DevCast we welcome Beth Murillo, Operations Manager and Software Developer at The Scarpetta Group, to discuss using Claris Connect for automation and integration between various systems. We share our experiences and challenges with custom connectors, API changes, and error handling. We talk about creative uses of Claris Connect in our work, such as managing support...

In this episode of the FileMaker Dev Cast, we step into the critical topic of error logging with the development team from Portage Bay Solutions. Join us as they share their best practices and solutions for effectively capturing and managing errors within FileMaker applications. From common pitfalls to advanced techniques, this episode is packed with insights to help you enhance the reliability an...

Don’t miss out on discovering how AI can transform your approach to database management and client interactions. In Episode 14 of the FileMaker DevCast, we talk more about the world of artificial intelligence and FileMaker. We’ve been looking into how to seamlessly integrate large language models like ChatGPT into FileMaker solutions, to enhance functionality and user experience. We talk about som...

Join us for a special episode of the FileMaker Devcast, direct from Claris Engage, featuring an exclusive live interview with Clay Maeckel, Chief Software Architect at Claris. In this insightful session, Clay will peel back the curtain on the innovative process behind adding new features to FileMaker, offering listeners a unique glimpse into the development and decision-making that drives this lea...

In this insightful episode titled 'New Beginnings in Data: Setting Strategic Goals for FileMaker Success in 2024,' we pivot our focus towards setting actionable goals for FileMaker developers aiming to leverage AI more effectively, dive into Python, and seamlessly integrate JavaScript into their projects. We'll explore strategies for harnessing the power of AI to automate and enhance data processe...

In this dynamic episode of FileMaker EngageU, we delve into the heart of community and innovation within the FileMaker ecosystem. Our guests, Joris Aarts from Clickworks, Johan Hedman from Square Moon, and Kate Waldhauser with her Portage Bay design team, come together to discuss the evolution and impact of EngageU. We compare the vibrant atmosphere of EngageU to its predecessor, Engage, highlight...

In this captivating episode of "The Power of Pause," our development team delves into their comprehensive experience at the renowned Pause conference / unconference. They kick off the discussion with a vivid recount of the retreat's atmosphere, highlighting the innovative spirit that permeated the event. The team touches on the keynote speeches that resonated with them, sharing how these insights...

In this episode of DevCast, the brilliant minds from Portage Bay Solutions join our ever-curious host, Dan Smiley, for a deep dive into the synergies of FileMaker and JavaScript. We'll showcase the versatility and enhancements possible with the Carafe Kitchen tool, allowing for a seamless integration experience. Plus, witness the magic of integrating the Google Maps API, demonstrating functionalit...

Join Portage Bay Solutions and Cris Ippolite , a renowned leader in the Claris FileMaker community, as they unpack the highlights from the Pinecone Summit held in San Francisco. Dive deep into the world of generative AI, explore the significance of vector databases, and understand their synergy with FileMaker. With over 800 global attendees, the summit was a melting pot of insights, innovations, a...

Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into the capabilities of Claris Studio, the latest offering from Claris International. More than just a development tool, Claris Studio promises to redefine how we approach and appreciate app creation. Rather than just talking about it, we'll be demonstrating some of its standout features live on the show. Witness firsthand the innovation and simpli...