Save Time and Money with a Customized FileMaker Pro Database System

The advancement in information technologies has enabled customers to easily gather information from multiple sources. Some people choose a product or service only after reading the user reviews and comments, whereas others use social media to gather feedback on the specific product. So the businesses have to keep the users interested and engaged by providing the most relevant information collected from various sources. Many companies sync multiple databases to provide updated data to the users.

The cross-platform relational database applications like filemaker pro have made it easier for the businesses to easily store, manage and update data by integrating a database engine with a GUI-based interface. The GUI-based interface enables users to keep the database updated simply by dragging the additional elements into the screens, layouts or forms. At present, a developer can choose from several versions of FileMaker Pro.

In addition to FileMaker Pro 12, FileMaker Server 12, and FileMaker Pro Advanced 12, you can also use the FileMaker Server Advanced 12 and FileMaker Go 12 for iOS. Based on the volume and nature of data, you can easily configure a version to suit your server, desktop and operating system. Many companies even offer customized FileMaker database development services to meet the specific requirements of clients. The easy-to-personalize features of the relational database application further help the businesses in saving a huge amount of time, money and resources.

Features that Contribute Towards the Huge Popularity of FileMaker Pro Faster Database Updates: Along with being a cross-platform relational database applications, FileMaker Pro also makes it easier for users to append, edit and update the databases. The Starter Solutions feature makes it easier for you to manage content, resources, projects and estimates without putting any extra time. The customized solutions further help developers to make powerful web and mobile apps that can provide the most relevant and updated information to the users.

New and Innovative Themes: The latest version of FileMaker Pro offers over more than forty themes to the users. Each of these themes can change the look and feel of your database within a few seconds. The layouts further make it easier for you to format the stored data differently based on their individual categories. At the same time, a number of design layout tools like image slicing, gradients and alignment guides allow you to achieve the desired level of design precision.

A Set of Advanced Solutions: A developer can use the advanced solutions provided by FileMaker Pro 12 to easily manage resources, projects, content and other important aspects of a business. The professionally designed further increases the pace of maintain and updating databases. Also, you can use the solutions to create a variety of windows to present the data in a stylish way. Based on the type of data, you can create a modal dialog or floating window. You can also use scripting to easily download and use the online content directly by inserting from the URL.

Simple Drag and Drop Option: FileMaker Pro was initially developed as a DOS based application. But the updated versions of the applications are popular due to their effectiveness in integrating a GUI-based interface with database engines. The interface further makes it convenient for users to update and modify the database simply by dragging and dropping the files to a database. The drag and drop features also enable users to render images quickly, store information securely, and manage the data externally.

Seamless Integration with SQL Database: Being a cross-platform relational database application, FileMaker Pro can easily perform a variety of SQL queries against your FileMaker solution. Also, you can use the application to sync information stored on different data sources. Based on your specific development and testing requirements, you can further link and redirect your ESS connection to a different SQL database. The feature helps users to retrieve data from various data sources within a few seconds.

Generate Powerful Reports: A user can also create comprehensive and eye-catchy reports using the Quick Charts provided by the application. Your reports will use the updated data gathered from various sources. At the same time, you can generate customized reports in a spreadsheet-like format, and enhance their appeal by inserting bar, line, area, and pie charts. The feature further makes it easier for you to make and change the charts by integrating with the set-up window.

App Development for iPhone and iPad: The Apple devices have become an integral part of modern lifestyle. Many companies launch new apps and update existing apps to target the huge base of iPhone and iPad users. The app developers often find it difficult to make robust apps that can seamlessly fetch information from different data sources. A developer can simply use the FileMaker Go 12 for iPhone and iPad to develop powerful apps. The customized iOS design and development tools provided by the application save the time and effort of developers. You can use the themes, design tools, calculation functions and scripts to develop and update a variety of apps.

We provide Custom filemaker development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert filemaker developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

The story of JavaScript's Success

As a hugely popular coding language, JavaScript is commonly used along with HTML to develop all types of websites. Many experts even include JavaScript in the list of top ten widely used programming languages. Despite having similarity in syntax to Java, the interpreted computer programming language allows developers to develop cross platform web application. However, the popularity of JavaScript was affected temporarily due to launch of specialized web application development platforms by large companies like Microsoft.

As each user has options to choose from a range of operating systems, web browsers, and devices; most developers, nowadays, use JavaScript as a powerful cross platform programming language. Also, each developer has option to choose from a number of cross platform versions of JavaScript, to target all major platforms including Mac, Windows and Linux. The similarity of its syntax to C, C++, C#, and Java further makes it easier for the code writers to write programs without putting much time and effort.

What Makes JavaScript Popular as a Cross Platform Programming Language

Making Websites Interactive The frequently changing web browsing habits of users have made it essential for businesses to develop engaging and interactive website. As a flexible language, JavaScript enables you to make your website more interactive in adding drop-down menus and specialized text effects. At the same time, the powerful scripting language can also be used to develop interactive games, and full JavaScript chat rooms. Some of these features can also be used to improve the user experience by optimizing the navigation options that will encourage users to access the web application regularly.

Compatibility with Major Web Browsers and Operating Systems No developer can decide the way a user will access the web application. But each developer has to ensure that the application can be accessed with major operating systems and web browsers. As major web browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome have built-in support for JavaScript; the end users can access the website without downloading any additional software or plug-ins. However, the script will change the look of your website based on the web browser used by the end-user. Regardless of their choice of websites, the users can enjoy the interactivity of the website. Also, a user also has option to turn the JavaScript code on and off to suit his requirements.

Reducing the Web Server Load Often webmasters and website developers look for options to reduce the web server load. Some web application development platforms like Microsoft Dot Net allows you to develop server-side controls. But developers still use JavaScript a dynamic client-side scripting language, The features further contribute towards loading and executing web pages directly on the web browser, without waiting for response for the server. The web browser will automatically download and launch JavaScript, and display the web pages to the user within a few seconds.

Special Compilers Not Required Unlike some other programming languages, JavaScript does not require any special compiler or editor to run. So a developer can easily learn the coding language without putting any additional time and effort. You can simply use Notepad, WordPad or any other text editor, and write the JavaScript code to achieve certain objectives. At the same time, the JavaScript code can also be inserted directly into HTML pages of a website. Further, the code can be uploaded to the web without using any specialized software or script.

Already Integrated with Popular Web Technologies The huge popularity of JavaScript has encouraged many companies to incorporate the scripting language with other technologies. For instance, the animation technology Flash integrates JavaScript into its XML-based technology. Similarly, JavaScript is also supported in PDF files by popular Adobe products like Acrobat and Adobe Reader. Further, JavaScript can easily interact with control java applets used in designing a web page. So a developer can use these advanced technologies to design interactive websites as well as to create powerful internet applications including java game development projects.

Before few years, many developers were using JavaScript to control the look and presentation of web pages. Normally, the scripting language was used for randomization of content, validating web forms, controlling cookies, and adding visual tricks to a web page. But the developers, now, use JavaScript as a full-featured and powerful language to develop web application compatible with major web browsers, operating systems and devices.

We provide java web development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert javascript programmers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

5 Solid Reasons Why SharePoint Intranet Projects Fail

SharePoint has been implemented in many organizations with huge success rates. As reflected in the count of successful Intranets built across the SharePoint platform, it can indeed be said without any hesitation that this software platform is having a positive impact on a number of organizations. However, there are certain crucial issues which should be taken care of while adopting SharePoint as your intranet platform. These issues are not purely technical but revolve around stuff like shared understanding, change management, technological configuration and fundamentals of project management. However, failure to focus on these issues during implementation of SharePoint may lead to a serious failure of the Intranet projects. Let us understand each of these problems and explore the reasons behind the failure of SharePoint application development projects.

1. Focusing on technological aspects rather than outcomes: Many organizations commit the blunder of implementing SharePoint platform without knowing their exact requirement and how they would be leveraging the platform. These organizations tend to ignore the specific final outcomes, driven by the misconception that SharePoint will act as a cure-all, ending all their technological problems. If organizations get lured by the impressive list of functionalities that SharePoint offers, without concentrating on the business outcomes that they need to achieve, it will only lead to some complex solution addressing some poorly defined problem. Hence, organizations need to go for an in-depth analysis of their culture, strategies and goals, so that they can determine the problem and then arrive at resolution techniques over the Intranet platform.
   
2. Making Room for Scope Creep: SharePoint projects are a storehouse of potentials and scopes. This is because of two major reasons. First, technically difficult stuff like intricate document management can be handled with great ease. Secondly, seemingly simple things might be very difficult to achieve. This mismatch between appearance and reality can create confusion among project team members, who tend to rope in a functionality that appears simple, only to understand at a later stage that they are incurring huge costs solely because the functionality is not matching the exact business requirement.Another issue is that even though certain things are technically easy to handle, they may prove pricey from the perspective of change management. For example, implementing User Profiles in SharePoint may make certain organizational processes easy, but the very task of making people create their individual profiles may involve huge costs so far as governance is concerned. The best way to avoid these problems is to focus on core business requirements and implement SharePoint Intranet accordingly.
   
3. Confusing between Collaboration and Communication: It is important to understand that an Intranet that is communication centric with some social attributes like tags, blogs, ratings, etc. is radically different in terms of objectives and outcomes from a collaborative solution focusing on a specific business issue. Many businesses commit the blunder of clubbing in communicative and collaborative aspects within one Intranet project. However, it is important to understand that collaboration involves a combination of organizational strategy, culture and basic processes within a particular framework, which requires spending of considerable time and effort by the right people. Hence it is vital to realize the scope of the Intranet project along with the fact that the challenges of communication and collaboration need to be addressed separately.
   
4. Using Improper Tools and Techniques: Most of the SharePoint elements are platform friendly and organizations tend to incorporate them without knowing the exact business value that they would provide. This in turn leads to failure in solving the basic business problem that the organization is facing. You can always go for the best Intranet elements from disciplines like Information Architecture, Business Alignment, Business Needs and Design but make sure that you carefully choose a SharePoint partner who can provide an effective balance between the technical and business perspectives.
   
5. Lack of Proper Education for End-Users and Content Authors: In order to properly implement SharePoint Intranet within your organization, you cannot neglect training or education for the content authors and end-users. While content authors need to be guided on the technical aspects of authoring content, communication tones and specific procedures and policies, end-users need some amount of training in the search functionalists, user profiles as well as the basic navigation and layout.
   

When leveraged in the proper manner, SharePoint can indeed pave the way for brilliant Intranets that add value to the organization with lesser amount of effort. The best thing is to concentrate on the outcomes and core business requirements to gain substantial value from this Intranet platform. We provide Sharepoint site migration services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our SharePoint developers India, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Battleground Rich Media: the Conflict Between HTML 5 and Flash

Drawing a comparison between HTML5 and Flash is like comparing two dissimilar objects, the former being a specification while the latter a software. However, a comparison between these two is not out of place if we take into consideration the ripples that these two technologies have created in the Information Technology sector. HTML5 is the new version of Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) which incorporates native support for video and audio, a feature that has threatened the existence of Flash. Adobe Flash, ruling rich media for more than 10 years, has become almost omnipresent in the virtual world. Now, the conflict between HTML5 and Flash revolves around rich media, or even more particularly, streaming video. Let’s introduce these two technologies briefly and then compare them to see how each scores against various parameters.

HTML5 and Flash: a brief introduction
HTML5 is the latest version of HTML, The new HTML5 development platform which comes with a range of new mark-up features. The striking feature of HTML5 is that it is compatible with everything that operated in HTML4, thus ensuring seamless upgrading. The most striking feature of HTML5 is the newly developed media elements, the major cause of worry for Flash. These media elements enable video and audio support without the help of add-ons like the Flash Player.

Adobe Flash is a technology that operates on several platforms like web browsers, electronic gadgets and mobile devices. The technology is rampant over the web and is offered through the Adobe Flash Player. It is specifically used for interactivity, video and animation. All the major browsers have the requisite add-ons to support Flash, making this technology a standard option for producing rich video-based web content.

Comparison between HTML5 and Flash
Embedding Video: HTML 5 ensures sufficient flexibility with its <video> tag. Due to the availability of numerous options in native HTML code, embedding a video on a web page through HTML 5 is quite simple and convenient. Talking about Flash, it is indeed difficult to add a Flash video within a web page using hand coding. Hence, it is clear that the coding process of HTML5 is much simpler. Apart from a complex coding scenario, Flash involves a lot of moving components like the HTML page, the video, the Flash Player, Flash installation files, SWF files and JavaScript file.

Game Development: Performance is a crucial factor to be considered during game development because enthusiastic gamers will simply not tolerate any kinds of lags. When it comes to the gaming market, Flash has 70% of the share, so it’s obvious that HTML5 is yet to catch up. Interestingly, HTML5 was pinpointed by Steve Jobs as the choicest technology for iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone Browsers. So, the tremendous growth in the mobile market indeed implies a positive thrust for HTML5. Although Flash still has considerable monopoly in mobile gaming, it is expected that the game will turn towards HTML5 within half a decade, a phenomenon all the more evident with mobile game manufacturers already using html5 in game creation.

CPU Utilization: Although CPU utilization by Flash is more than that of HTML5 in some operating systems, it has been found that with access to components for hardware acceleration, Flash and HTML5 are on even grounds so far as performance is concerned.


As we compared Flash and HTML5 on parameters like video embedding, game development and CPU utilization, it seems that the outcome of the battle is still to come. It should also be that Flash, developed in 1996, scores higher than HTML5 on grounds of platform maturity. It is true that presently HTML5 is still in its developmental stage, but it can be a serious threat to Flash in the long term. Whatever happens, it is certain that this grueling completion will help the end-users.

We provide HTML5 development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our Expert HTML5 Developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Ruby on Rails: A Perfect Tool for Web Application Development

The developers frequently explore affordable options to develop and maintain websites. At the same time, the ongoing recessional phase of the economy has compelled many developers to curtail the development time, while providing enhanced and improved user experience. Since its public release in 2006, many developers are using Ruby on Rails (popularly referred as Rails) to develop robust websites for clients belonging to different industries and regions.

The popular scripting language was developed in 1993, and was inspired by several scripting languages like Python, Perl, Smalltalk, Ada, Lisp and Eiffel. But Rails is more object-oriented than Python and more powerful than Perl. The framework of Rails looks a bit similar to the PHP framework. But the well designed and unambiguous code structure makes writing codes and developing websites more enjoyable and fun.

Also, developers constantly work on improving the cross-platform open source framework to incorporate more efficient and effective features. Many developers also prefer Rails an advanced MVC framework. The entire application is divided into three layers, such as, the model, the view and the controller. The framework also consists of a wide variety of independent libraries. The combination of several layers and separate libraries makes it more convenient and easier for developers to write robust web applications within a short span of time.

Why Ruby on Rails Scores Over Other Frameworks?
Using Rails to build websites may not be a low cost or affordable. But the initial investment enables you to avail certain benefits like reduced launch time, easy to incorporate changes, and support of a robust community.

Reduced Launch Time: The recessional phase of the global manager has made it essential for software development companies to launch robust web apps within a very short timeframe. In comparison to other frameworks, you can use Rails to develop and launch the website within a very shorter period of time. As you can use the existing codes and plugins, it will be easier for reduce the time required to write comprehensive codes.

Easy to Incorporate Changes: With most companies launching web application at regular intervals, you have to constantly add new and advanced features to your website. Once you develop and launch the website using Rails, it will be easier for you to incorporate the required changes and add new features. These options will help you in improving user experience without putting much time and effort.

Enhanced Quality and Scalability: The reduced app development time and easy to incorporate changes will save you money on launching and maintain websites. While you can add new features to enhance the website quality, the option will further help you in achieving greater scalability and use experience. You may have to invest some funds to develop a large website using rails, but the website will get you high returns in the long run.

What Sites can You Develop Using Ruby on Rails?
You can consider using Rails to develop a wide variety of websites. Each web application will avail several benefits from Rails’ user-friendly and efficient features.

Ecommerce Portals: Many owners find it a daunting task to maintain and update their ecommerce websites on a regular basis. As Rails enable you to develop and maintain websites within a short time span, you can easily run a robust website using its modular approach and easy-to-use features. These features will also allow you to design the website by incorporating the features offered by expensive and high-end website ecommerce suites.

Social Networks: If you are planning to build a membership website or social network, it is important to concentrate on achieving high scalability and quality. Some of the features offered by Rails make it easier for you to build and maintain such website. Rails offer you a wide range of plugins to improve the user experience by overcoming all types of social networking challenges.

Content Management System: Rails also offers you the best solution to run a comprehensive online content management system. The content management website will be accessed by a large number of users, and deliver content in text, audio, video or multimedia formats. The easy-to-use features of the Rails will enable users to navigate the website in a quicker and smart way. At the same time, the features will make it easier for you to upload and manage content on a regular basis.

The huge popularity of Ruby on Rails can be determined based on some of the large websites designed using this technology. Some organizations like HP, NASA and Intel use the technology internally, whereas Rails is also used externally by popular brands like MTV, Twitter and YellowPages. This is what makes Ruby on Rails development so popular.


We also provide Rails development services. If you would like to know what makes us expert Ruby on Rails developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

The Future of Ecommerce & Magento

E-commerce stands for Electronic commerce. This industry works on buying and selling of product or services which happens through web. This Ecommerce platform brews great profits for its reliable clients. With Magento - Your Business grows here from today. There are more than 150,000 businesses which choose Magento as their first priority e-commerce solution. It serves more than 125,000 businesses worldwide with flexibility and provides richer platform. Magento is a market leader because of its specific e-commerce functionality and constant innovations.

It helps enterprise customers develop & improve their e-commerce operations using their open-source software. Electronic commerce draws on technologies such as supply chain management, mobile commerce, electronic funds transfer, internet marketing, electronic data interchange, online transaction processing, inventory management systems and automated data collection systems. Modern electronic commerce typically uses the World Wide Web at least at one point in the transaction's life-cycle, although it may encompass a wider range of technologies such as e-mail, mobile devices, social media and telephones as well. E-Commerce has become an important tool for businesses worldwide not only to sell to customers but also to engage them. Leading country in ecommerce usage is China and it continues to expand. It leads to intensified price competition, as it increases consumers' ability to gather information about products and prices. Mostly growth of online shopping has also affected industry structure in two areas that have seen significant growth in e-commerce, bookshops and travel agencies.

A big team of informational gathering of suppliers, developers and retailers change online retail landscape. And in such a scenario – you need a stable, secure yet flexible CMS to power your web store. Magento is one of the best open-source shopping cart solutions available. It is popular for its features including flexible product display options, templates, transaction options, multi-store and multi-site functionality, user accounts and loyalty programs, product categorization and shopper filtering and discount and promotion rules. Many things are possible, from ecommerce platform document automation in supply chain and logistics, domestic and international payment systems, enterprise content management, group buying, automated online assistants, instant messaging, newsgroups to online shopping and order tracking, online banking, online office suites, shopping cart software, teleconferencing and electronic tickets.

It has advanced stats, customer groups management, tons of payment gateways, a nice admin interface and much more. Using Magento, you can enable direct selling to business customers on your website. Customers access the same tools that are used by your sales channels enabling you to provide a common platform to both and streamline the sales process. Your customers can also rate products, submit reviews and even post comments to social networks. From TV’s and phones to cars and computers, the mouse click has become the first step in our buying process. Some of the big companies like Amazon.com, Buy.com and many traditional retailers’ online sites, have captured this market by providing an easy to use, self-service and guided process for consumers. Varien, the company owning Magento, formerly worked with osCommerce. Magento is versatile than most e-commerce platforms at storing a large range of data it works wonder in designing smaller ecommerce websites to large ones which has sufficed multinational businesses.

Magento is a growing technology, the possibilities that this framework can offer a wide range of customers who wish to develop or enhance their online shopping presence. Magento was released in 2008 and is fast becoming the platform of choice for new ecommerce development and it is the future of ecommerce. It is going from strength to strength with every new version that comes out and as newer add-ons become available. It improvises for a better future with each passing day competing with the present needs of the Magento developer and user community.

Probably one of the greatest benefits of Magento is its scalability and its ability to grow with an organization as its needs change. It easily manages orders in a breeze with its easy to use dashboard showing lifetime sales, average sales amounts, bestsellers and most searched keywords. An expert Magento development India team can help you reap benefits of great features in Magento like Search Engine Optimization, Marketing Promotions and Tools, Catalogue Management, Catalogue Browsing, Product Browsing, International Support, Shipping, Customer Service, Order Management, Analytics and Reporting, Site Management, Mobile Commerce , Checkout ,Payment , Customer Accounts etc make it hot technology in the IT market. The future is always bright with Magento and it will continue to add more revenues to varied business sectors.


If you would like to know more about our Magento development services or you would like to know what makes us expert magento developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

The Most Relevant Reasons Leading to Web Development Outsourcing

Today the entire IT world revolves around the keyword “Outsourcing”. A decade back, people shunned outsourcing and there were many more lobbyists than those who lobby today. Reason? More and more organizations are outsourcing their IT requirements to offshore locations as they do not want to lose out on the competitive edge they could have in their business. This is what mostly is driving businesses, all sectors of businesses to outsource. And they mostly start with web development. Their need to bring their business online and cater to a wider set of audience induces the need for web development. All industries create their own websites which market their products online.

With the help of a website, you can easily market your business, sell your products and services and in general increase the revenue of your business. To get a good-looking website, businesses are relying on outsourcing services. With the help of great developers, offshore IT Services companies are offering services which offer quality solutions at rates much lower than which you get onshore. Let us take a look at the diverse benefits of outsourcing web development requirements to offshore web development companies. The most prominent reasons to outsource web development requirements to offshore locations are as mentioned below:

24X7 Assistance: While the work on the project is under way, you can be assured that you will get 24X7 assistance. Whether it is a query or a suggestion, you will always find a person lending an ear. Moreover, even after the project is completed you can get in touch with them and get them to solve any issue with the site in a jiffy. All this is possible through Skype, conference calls, video conferencing, smartphones etc. Therefore distance never matters for outsourcing web development to offshore locations.

Custom Built Solutions: The offshore service providers first analyze your business requirements and then start working on a solution that is specifically built around your business requirements. They build customized websites which can fit to various screen sizes be it laptop, desktop, ipad, smartphones etc. With their expertise and long experience of creating web solutions for diverse business verticals, they are able to develop a web solution that is in-line with the requirements of the business and synchronize with the current online marketing strategies.

Cost-Effectiveness: Outsourcing services are really light on the pocket. Organizations and businesses are able to save a lot of money that would have been otherwise spent on infrastructure development, hiring resources, training them for the project and many other expenses. Further, businesses are able to concentrate on their core business activities while their IT requirements are fulfilled by professionals. This helps them to make profit in both the segments. Without compromising on the quality, you can get the work done in the cheapest rates possible.

Additional Services: Apart from web development, these companies also specialize in several additional services that only help improve your website. Thus, with the same company you can get search engine optimization, search engine marketing, viral marketing services, etc. Quality Analysts are appointed to check your product whether it is paid or unpaid. They are responsible to deliver high quality flawless product.

Fresh Outlook: The companies we are talking about are usually filled with young developers who have innovative ideas of web development. Working in an environment that favors their creative bent of mind, these developers can add value to your website in ways that you wouldn’t have thought was possible.


Mindfire provides expert web development services in various web technologies including SharePoint, ColdFusion, Rails, PHP, .Net and many other technologies.

If you have a web application development need or you are curious to know what makes us expert web developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.