by Raj Kumar

Created on: September 23, 2011

FileMaker Pro and Microsoft Access are similar but have lot of differences. Designing database in FileMaker Pro looks more simple and interactive. While defining the properties of any field, default message or conditional logic can be implemented in simple way in FileMaker Pro. For creating scripts and implementing user interface navigation and other programming stuffs, FileMaker Pro has its own inbuilt functions and script steps which can be simply selected and used. But Microsoft Access needs an expert programmer in Visual Basic to automate any functionality. 

Microsoft Access can be used as a data source and other application build in different technology can acts client. FileMaker software provides both FileMaker Pro client and FileMaker Server. If you want to use FileMaker Server databases simply as data source for other client application, it is possible through ODBC/JDBC access functionality. Only FileMaker client ODBC and/or JDBC driver needs to be installed on client machine to activate ODBC/JDBC connectivity. With FileMaker Server Advanced version the scalability has been increased significantly. 

More simple features are available in FileMaker Pro to build customized application with robust design and interactive screens. Using layout mode in FileMaker Pro, it is easy to create complex user interface in simple manner. Drag and drop feature in reporting tools makes FileMaker Pro a good candidate for diverse reporting purpose. It can also share reports in Adobe PDF format which seems to be missing in Microsoft Access. 

Database capability expands up to 8 terabytes in FileMaker Pro. But there is limitation of 2 gigabyte per database in Microsoft Access. More number of users for e.g. almost 999 can use FileMaker database using FileMaker Server Advanced version. In comparison to this, Microsoft Access has limited scalability of 20 or more users with optimum database performance. FileMaker Server has Instant Web Publishing feature which helps to access FileMaker database files through internet browser. More customized level of web access can be implemented using Custom Web Publishing. But in Microsoft Access, entire database cannot be shared over the web. 

In terms of security features, FileMaker is way ahead of Microsoft Access. User can be given field level, specific layout or database level permission. But in Microsoft Access user can be restricted to database level only. Microsoft Access runs successfully only in Windows environment whereas FileMaker software can be used on Mac platforms also. 

Compared to Microsoft Access, FileMaker Pro is an excellent product for implementing application with variety of find and search features. With FileMaker Pro 10, Saved Finds feature is also available where find or search can be saved and used later on when required. 

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