Request for advice on best web publishing approach

[Edward]

I have a client that needs an application accessible on the internet. I can create the application but I have no experience whatsoever publishing on the internet.

Basically people have to fill in forms, do searches, create reports, generate statements for billing.
At some point there could be 1000 people wanting to access the program.

I assume that I will be using Filemaker Server 8 Advanced.

My questions are:
1. Does Filemaker Server 8 Advanced get installed on the IP’s fileserver along with my creation?
2. Do I have to use Filemaker Server 8 Advance to do the programming or can I use Filemaker 8 Advanced?
3. Is the limit of 100 simultaneous users for Filemaker Server 8 or for my application. In other words if I created 2 different versions running side by side can I have 100 simultaneous users on each?
4. Finally and probably most important. What would you suggest would be the best approach to publishing and having this creation run smoothly on the internet?

[FMWebschool]

Hi Edward,

Thank you for your post, it certainly sounds like you have an exciting project.  I have created a help document that will answer most of these questions for you.  http://www.fmwebschool.com/resources/php_basics.pdf

I assume that I will be using Filemaker Server 8 Advanced.

Yes, you will be using FileMaker Server 8 Advanced

My questions are:
 
1. Does Filemaker Server 8 Advanced get installed on the IP’s fileserver along with my creation?

FileMaker Server Advanced is needed to host the database file.  You can host the web files wherever you like.  There are several wonderful FileMaker hosting companies that can help you with this.
2. Do I have to use Filemaker Server 8 Advance to do the programming or can I use Filemaker 8 Advanced?

You will need FileMaker Server Advanced to test the pages to make sure they work.  If you do not have FMSA you can request a developer version from FileMaker Inc.  The developer license enables you to build and test your web solutions.

That being said, you do "not" need FMSA8 to write the code.  Any web editor or text pad will do.

3. Is the limit of 100 simultaneous users for Filemaker Server 8 or for my application. In other words if I created 2 different versions running side by side can I have 100 simultaneous users on each?

The 100 user limit is very deceiving.  You could actually have 1000 people on your website.  FileMaker can only handle 100 simultaneous connections to the database.  If you use custom web publishing with FX.php or PHP and FileMaker you should not have a problem at all. 

4. Finally and probably most important. What would you suggest would be the best approach to publishing and having this creation run smoothly on the internet?

We have built over 300 FileMaker websites for companies over the past several years.  We use FX.php and PHP with all of our solutions.  PHP is incredibly easy to learn and is very powerful.  I suggest that you read this help guide to get started

http://www.fmwebschool.com/resources/php_basics.pdf

We have also written a great book to teach FileMaker and PHP.  You can check out the book at:
http://www.fmwebschool.com/filemaker_php.php

Please feel free to email me at stephen@fmwebschool.com If I can be of further assistance.

In Kindness
Stephen K Knight
http://www.fmwebschool.com

[Edward]

Thanks Stephen,

I will check out the literature you recommended and see what questions I still need answered.

EMP

[FMWebschool]

Sounds great!  Enjoy.

In Kindness
Stephen

[jmay]

I agree that FX.php is an excellent route to take in web-enabling your databases.  Also be sure to have a look at Lasso <http://www.omnipilot.com/>, a commercial alternative to PHP - while not as widespread, it has been being used for quite some time with FileMaker.  Both have their pros and cons, and are just like the Mac vs. Windows arguement - neither is particularly better overall, IMHO.

Either way, you can save $2500 on FMSA by hosting with a provider like us <http://www.pointinspace.com/>.  We support any combination of Instant Web Publishing, XML/XSLT Custom Web Publishing, FX.php and/or Lasso connecting to your databases.

- John

[Edward]

It appears that a Filemaker Hosting Company will be the way for me to proceed. However; I have not ruled out going to a non Filemaker IP. That creates this question:

Let’s suppose I contact my local Internet Provider who also offers Web Design etc. I tell him that I have a Filemaker 8 database program that I want interfaced with the internet. He is not familiar with Filemaker.
What software would he need to provide that he would not already possess to run  my creation and to make it accessible from a web page? Filemaker 8 server? or Filemaker 8 Server Advanced? Anything else?

Thanks

[jmay]

Odds are they won't support it, as they need to run FileMaker Server Advanced which costs $2500.

That said, you'll want to look at a FileMaker-specific hosting company, like ours:

http://www.pointinspace.com/

- John