FileMaker consultants

Q: Who uses FileMaker and what problems does it solve?

Small to mid-sized businesses that have outgrown spreadsheets but do not want to invest in a full custom software build use FileMaker. It solves the problem of managing complex data in Excel or Google Sheets where you need relational lookups, user permissions, custom forms, and reporting. Teams in operations, finance, and field services are particularly common users.

Q: Can FileMaker databases be accessed from mobile devices and the web?

Yes. FileMaker apps can be accessed through FileMaker Go on iOS devices and through FileMaker WebDirect in a web browser. This means field teams can enter data on iPads or iPhones while office staff work from desktop or browser interfaces — all connected to the same database with real-time data synchronisation.

Q: How does Osher help businesses modernise their FileMaker systems?

We connect FileMaker databases to the rest of your tech stack through system integrations and n8n workflows. Our business automation and automated data processing services bridge the gap between FileMaker and modern cloud platforms — syncing data, automating manual processes, and extending your FileMaker investment without needing a full rebuild.

We can help you automate your business with FileMaker and hundreds of other systems to improve efficiency and productivity. Get in touch if you’d like to discuss implementing FileMaker.

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About FileMaker

FileMaker is a low-code database platform by Claris (an Apple subsidiary) used by businesses to build custom applications for managing contacts, inventory, projects, invoices, and other structured data. It is particularly popular with small to mid-sized businesses that need something more powerful than spreadsheets but do not want to build a full custom application from scratch.

Integrating FileMaker with n8n allows you to connect your FileMaker databases to the rest of your tech stack. You can push data from web forms, e-commerce platforms, or CRMs into FileMaker, pull records from FileMaker into reporting tools, and trigger workflows when records are created or updated. This is especially useful for businesses that rely on FileMaker as their core operational database but need it to talk to cloud services.

Common integration scenarios include syncing new orders from Shopify or WooCommerce into a FileMaker inventory database, pushing FileMaker contact records to an email marketing platform, generating PDF reports from FileMaker data and emailing them to clients, and creating FileMaker records from incoming web form submissions.

Many Australian businesses have been running FileMaker for years and hold critical operational data in it. The challenge is that FileMaker can become isolated from newer cloud tools. At Osher, we specialise in connecting legacy and established systems with modern platforms. Our property inspection company case study involved connecting field data capture systems with backend processing — a similar pattern to FileMaker integrations. Our system integration team can connect FileMaker with your CRM, accounting software, and communication tools using n8n. If your FileMaker database is central to your operations but disconnected from everything else, our AI consulting team can design an integration plan. We also offer robotic process automation services for businesses looking to automate data movement between FileMaker and other platforms.

FileMaker FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about how FileMaker consultants can help with integration and implementation

What does FileMaker actually do?

FileMaker (now part of the Claris platform) is a low-code database application builder that lets you create custom business apps for managing data, workflows, and processes. Unlike a spreadsheet, FileMaker gives you relational data structures, scripting, user access controls, and custom interfaces — making it suitable for inventory tracking, project management, CRM, and other data-intensive business applications.

How does FileMaker integrate with our other business systems?

FileMaker connects to external systems through its Data API (REST-based), ODBC/JDBC drivers, and the ability to call external web services from within FileMaker scripts. Through n8n, you can build automated workflows that sync FileMaker records with your CRM, accounting software, e-commerce platform, or cloud databases — keeping data consistent across all your tools without manual double-entry.

Who uses FileMaker and what problems does it solve?

Can FileMaker databases be accessed from mobile devices and the web?

Is FileMaker still a good choice compared to modern cloud-based tools?

For organisations with existing FileMaker solutions, the platform remains a strong choice because of its flexibility and the investment already made in custom apps. Claris continues to develop the platform with cloud hosting options and improved API capabilities. The key consideration is integration — connecting FileMaker to modern cloud services is where most organisations need help.

How does Osher help businesses modernise their FileMaker systems?

How it works

We work hand-in-hand with you to implement FileMaker

As FileMaker consultants we work with you hand in hand build more efficient and effective operations. Here’s how we will work with you to automate your business and integrate FileMaker with integrate and automate 800+ tools.

Step 1

Process Audit

We review your existing FileMaker databases and the business processes they support — which tables hold your key data, what scripts and layouts are in use, and where data needs to flow to or from other systems. This identifies integration gaps, manual data entry points, and processes that could be automated.

Step 2

Identify Automation Opportunities

Using FileMaker’s Data API and scripting capabilities, we pinpoint where automated data flows can replace manual imports, exports, and double-entry. Common opportunities include syncing FileMaker records to your accounting system, automating report generation from FileMaker data, and triggering workflows in other tools when records are created or updated.

Step 3

Design Workflows

We design n8n workflows that connect to FileMaker’s Data API to read, create, update, and delete records as part of broader automation processes. Each workflow maps out the data transformation between FileMaker’s field structure and the format required by destination systems, with clear handling for lookups, related records, and container fields.

Step 4

Implementation

We configure FileMaker’s Data API access (enabling the API, setting up extended privileges, and configuring authentication), then build the n8n workflows that connect FileMaker to your other systems. This includes field mapping, error handling for locked records or permission issues, and scheduling for batch sync operations versus real-time triggers.

Step 5

Quality Assurance Review

We test every workflow by creating, updating, and deleting records through the Data API and verifying that data flows correctly in both directions. We check edge cases like records with empty required fields, container fields with large files, and concurrent access scenarios to confirm the integration handles real-world usage reliably.

Step 6

Support and Maintenance

After deployment, we monitor sync health, API response times, and data consistency between FileMaker and your connected systems. When you modify FileMaker layouts, add new tables, or update your other tools, we adjust the n8n workflows and API configurations to keep everything in sync.

Transform your business with FileMaker

Unlock hidden efficiencies, reduce errors, and position your business for scalable growth. Contact us to arrange a no-obligation FileMaker consultation.

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