[WinPartners] FileMaker Pro 10 Release Project Underway and Community Forum Invitation

[Cecilia Marra]

To the MIT Community:

Information Services & Technology (IS&T) is kicking off a release project for FileMaker Pro 10 which
became available commercially in January 2009. The FileMaker Release Team expects to complete the
release process for FileMaker Pro 10 and FileMaker Server 10 by mid-spring. 


Upgrade Recommendations 
----------------------- 
IS&T plans to discontinue support for FileMaker 8.x by mid-spring. Current users of version 8.x or
earlier are encouraged to upgrade directly to FileMaker 10. Users of FileMaker 9 may continue using
that version or upgrade to FileMaker 10 if they want or need features specific to FileMaker 10.


New Features and System Requirements
------------------------------------
FileMaker version 10 has a significantly different user interface than version 9.  Some valuable new
features and functionalities have also been added:
http://filemaker.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/filemaker.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=7069  
  
For detailed system requirements for Macintosh and Windows, go to:
http://filemaker.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/filemaker.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6930


Testing Efforts
---------------
FileMaker Pro 10 and FileMaker Server 10 will be tested on the various operating systems supported
at MIT. IS&T encourages the use of FileMaker Server for all shared databases to allow for secure
workgroup and departmental applications.  

If you are interested in participating in the test efforts, please contact
filemaker-release at mit.edu.


MIT Support for FileMaker 10
-----------------------------
Support will include:
* Updated online documentation regarding installation, upgrade considerations, licensing and system
requirements
* Help Desk support of all beginner- to intermediate-level features
* Updated Hermes pages
* Training at MIT will be done on version 9 for the remainder of the academic year. Training on
version 10 will begin in fall 2009.

NOTE:  IS&T has no plans to support features that are specific to FileMaker Pro Advanced or any
web-enabling features available through FileMaker Server Advanced.


Compatibility Issues
--------------------
If using FileMaker 10 in a mixed environment with earlier versions of the software, there are
compatibility issues.  Specifically, FileMaker Server 10 is *not* compatible with version 7 clients.



Distribution of Volume-License Copies of FileMaker 10 at MIT
------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning in mid-spring, faculty and staff may request licenses for FileMaker 10 by using an online
request form at https://web.mit.edu/ist/products/vsls/forms/mit-filemaker-dept.html (certificates
required).  
NOTE:  Media will not be distributed without a proactive request from license holders.

Under the terms of an IS&T-brokered volume-license agreement with FileMaker, Inc., FileMaker Pro,
FileMaker Pro Advanced, FileMaker Server and Server Advanced will be available for use by faculty
and staff.

For updated information on distribution, please check the VSLS web site at
http://web.mit.edu/is/products/vsls/mitfmpro/index.html 


If you want to follow the progress of this project, see the Software Release Team wiki at
https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SWRT/Home (certificates required).  FileMaker Pro 10 is
listed under Active Release Projects.  REMINDER:  volunteer testers are welcome!

If you have questions or comments about the release project, email filemaker-release at mit.edu.

Thank you for your attention!
Cecilia Marra
on behalf of the FileMaker Release Team

--------------------------------------------------------------- 
Cecilia Marra 
Web and Database Consultant 
Departmental Consulting and Application Development (DCAD) 
Information Services and Technology 
cmarra at mit.edu 

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