FileMaker Pro Comes to PDAs

FileMaker, long known for its popular database management software, now enters the Palm arena with its new $49 FileMaker Mobile software. It works on any device running Palm OS 3.1 or later, including the Handspring Visor series and Sony's CLIE. Mobile is designed to work with the company's $249 FileMaker Pro 5, version 3. (On FileMaker's Web site, the company offers free upgrades to version 3 for earlier versions of FileMaker 5.)

After installing the shipping Mobile software on my PC desktop, I used HotSync software to automatically install it on my handheld. I discovered that porting an existing FileMaker Pro 5 database was simple and intuitive. A configuration dialog box allowed me to set various parameters for synchronization.

Once you've transferred a database to the handheld, you are free to view, edit, and create records. Mobile does have certain strict size limits, however. It holds a maximum of 5000 records per database, a maximum of 20 fields per database, and a maximum of 2000 characters per field. These restrictions preclude extremely lengthy entries. You're also confined to your handheld's free memory, because that's where the application and its associated data must be stored. A set of five databases containing some 2000 records in all, with the application itself, occupied about 231KB on my PDA.

Users who don't have FileMaker Pro 5 might check out Handmark Software's $15 MobileDB and DDH Software's $25 HanDBase. These programs are cheaper and have a more handheld-centric design than FileMaker Mobile. But not being linked to a full-featured desktop database program, they require more effort to convert and port data to the handheld from the desktop.

Heavy database users might feel a bit constrained by FileMaker Mobile's size limitations, but most casual users will find it a solid and convenient companion.

SUMMARY

FileMaker Mobile PRO: Permits database editing on Palms; simple to install and use. CON: Mobile database size limited to 20 fields; requires FileMaker Pro 5 software to use. VALUE: An easy-to-use extension to the popular business- and consumer-focused FileMaker Pro 5. List price: $49 FileMaker 800/325-2747 www.filemaker.com