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Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

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    Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

    I have just read some very interesting comparisons of Alpha vs FileMaker Pro. What is not clear to me, and yet at the same time very important, is how you network many users to use your created database.

    FileMaker runs for us on a separate dbs server, with FM Server running as a service. We currently host 40 files and have 25-30 users on or off the system at different times. FM Server pauses the files and does backups for us twice a day with out taking the whole database down. We will be converting to Citrix Metaframe before too long (an advanced terminal server), so that we can serve remote users at resonable speeds as well. FileMaker works fine with it people say.

    Is Alpha 5 hosted on a peer-to-peer basis? What are the practical limitations on the number of users you can service at a time? How do you handle backups? Are there password and access tools built in?

    I am deeply aware of the problems that come along with FileMaker, but don't yet understand this networking aspect of Alpha at all.

    Also, just point me to what to read if this info is available elsewhere.

    Thanks
    Michael

    #2
    RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

    Michael,

    The person best versed in the A5-Filemaker comparison is Marc King. He will probably answer you when he sees your question.

    I have never used filemaker. I am an experienced A5 user.

    A5 Networks well. The most economical way to do this is to buy what is called the runtime version which comes in various versions differentiated by how many *simultaneous* users they allow. That is, the 10-seat runtime allows ten stations to simultaneously access a particular application. You can install it on as many machines as you like.

    A5 will easily support your current number of users. Users on this board have had as many as 300 simultaneous users.

    A5 works with Citrix but I have no experience with it.

    In the educational institution where I work I have one heavily used application with 25 users. Another application which most people read from but into which only a few enter data is installed on over 200 stations.

    The runtime supports a user of an application. To develop applications the full version of A5 is required.

    Bill
    Bill Hanigsberg

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

      I neglected the most basic point.

      The application is installed on the server. The runtime is installed on the client machines. It need not be installed on the server.

      Bil;
      Bill Hanigsberg

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

        Thank you. That covers a lot of it.

        I would still like to know more specifics about how this works; perhaps someone can direct me.

        Michael

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

          I'll start.

          Develop your application just as you would any application, whether intended for network or stand-alone use.

          If possible keep the whole application in its own single folder.

          Copy the folder's contents to a single folder on the server. The server's folder needn't have the same name as the folder on the development machine.

          Install runtime or full version on a client machine. Open the server version from the client. Done.

          Well not quite. You will probably want to employ a technique called network optimization in which A5 copies certain files to a "shadow" folder on the client machine. This speeds network performance as various application files don't have to be opened from the server over the network. They are cached in the shadow folder.

          Works well.

          Bill
          Bill Hanigsberg

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

            another resource with talking to on this topic is

            Tom Henkel

            Tom and his partner are responsible for a 300 node network running alpha five apps for the state of NJ

            take a look at

            http://www.imakenews.com/alphasoftware/e_article000068680.cfm

            Tom's email address is [email protected]

            thanks
            richard rabins
            Richard Rabins
            Co Chairman
            Alpha Software

            Comment


              #7
              RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

              Michael,

              Alpha has built in password tools that allow you to create multiple groups of users with different access privileges for each DB.

              The number of users is only limited by your server hardware and band-width capacity. As Bill said I know of a county government agency that runs over 300 users on one networked A5 DB. I have also heard of an A5 solution managing voter registration rolls in excess of 40 million records.

              The key advantage for business with A5 (aside from its raw power) is the cost benefit ratio of A5 scalability. Not only do you get all the included pluggin features that FM lacks, but with the runtime you can deploy networked solutions all across the enterprise hosted from multiple servers or even multiple locations. This would be impossible with FM - requiring an FM server (5 dbs max) or FM unlimited license at each host.

              The A5 Runtime comes in 3, 5, 10, 20, and Unlimited user versions. The runtime is essentially an open license DB engine for distributing unlimited networked solutions to the specified number users at each location.

              I employ the A5 Unlimited Runtime for my clients giving them the freedom to add users to the solution at will.

              Marc
              Marc King
              A5solutions

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

                You can also create a backup procedure within each DB with just a few clicks

                Marc
                Marc King
                A5solutions

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

                  Hello Michael,

                  Welcome to the Alpha world!
                  Alpha Five is currently a file server system. The actual database files reside on a server. Each node has a copy of Alpha Five, either the full version or the runtime. All the 'brains' reside on the nodes, all processing takes place on the nodes. Alpha automatically takes care of file locking, concurrency issues, etc. That is not to say there are not issues. Tom Henkel's 300+ node network running an intensive Alpha Five application(s) is the largest I'm aware of. The larger the network or more intensive the data entry, the more care that needs taken in the design of the application. That said, a network the size of yours should not be a problem.

                  There are great things in store for Alpha Five. Version 6 in under active, and I hope, late development. Version 6 will have much enhanced ActiveX, and ADO support. Also, rumors are that built-in support for some flavor of SQL backend will exist. This will bring true client/server capabilities to Alpha Five. The great news is that I anticipate that all the tools and procedures that we are used to will be available to work with these 'non-native' database files.

                  Good luck,

                  Jim

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

                    Dear Colleagues,

                    Thanks to all of you for your replies. Your remarks open up for me the possibility of an alternative to FileMaker for the first time in 4 years of development. Access we tried and dropped quickly.

                    At the same time, I hasten to add that I am just at the start of looking at this, and that it is a major change that would require quite a lot. For the moment, let me just say that I will be looking further into this, and watching developments in both environments.

                    While I can honestly say I love FileMaker in many ways, it is also just as true that I am worn out with some of the ways it pinches--and we don't really need the cross platform capability anymore.

                    Once again, thank you for your helpful remarks.

                    Michael

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Alpha Vs FileMaker--Network Support

                      Michael

                      If you want a web/phone demo of alpha five v5,
                      just let me know by emailing me at [email protected]

                      thanks
                      richard rabins
                      alpha software
                      Richard Rabins
                      Co Chairman
                      Alpha Software

                      Comment

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