FileMaker Plugin Developer: 24U Software
Number of Plugins: 11 FileMaker Plugins
HOnza Koudelka is Software Division Manager at 24U Software.
When did you first start using FileMaker?
In 1991, shortly after I got in first touch with Macintosh.
What made you start making FileMaker Plugins?
I created a solution for Mac User Group and used container fields for sound effects. The way it worked was not very user friendly, so when FileMaker Developer 4 was announced with External Function API, I decided to make a plugin for sound playback.
Do you use any plugins created by other people? If so which ones?
We use WorldSync’s
fmDataGuard in one solution. We tried several others in the past but in many cases we found the plugins we tried to be either too complicated, or not giving us the results we expected. In some cases this led us to write new plugins matching our needs more closely.
Which of your own plugins do you feel is your best work?
We are constantly improving so the best work is always the latest one.
SimpleDialog is the most successful,
SimpleTalk and
Toolbox are the most powerful. I am especially proud of our function interfaces. We invest a lot of energy to make our plugins easy to use, and feedback from our customers proves that we are doing it successfully.
Do you think making plugins cross-platform is important?
Since FileMaker Pro is a cross-platform product, I believe that a plugin must be cross-plaform as well to be taken seriously. The only exception is a custom-built plugin for a single customer. Developer’s decision to use a single-platform plug-in is equivalent to a decision to ignore half of the potential market. No serious developer will do that.
What do you think of FileMaker adding features that come from Plugins? Such as Printing to PDF and Script Triggering?
This is is something you have to expect when developing extension features for a bigger software product. It is a proof that the features are important for many customers. Of course, it is a challenge to come up with new and better features.
What do you think the next feature originally come from a plugin FileMaker will add will be?
No idea. Whatever it is, I am sure it will inspire plug-in developers to develop even better features.
Do you think Free plugins harm companies who sell plugins?
I think free plug-ins are targeted to different sort of users/developers. I know from our customers that who needs to rely on future support, will prefer paid plug-ins from a stable vendor.
What features would make the next version FileMaker perfect?
My personal wish list starts with robustness of the database engine, 100% protection against bad plug-ins (keeping FileMaker running when a plug-in crashes), ability to edit multiple privilege sets at once, and shadow calculation fields for external FileMaker data sources.
Any tips for people who want to make a FileMaker Plugin themselves?
Use plug-ins a lot to find out how to design a good function interface. Learn C++, C is not enough any more. Use 24U FM Template to write your plug-in. Do what you can do well and subcontract the parts you are not good in. We welcome any custom development inquiries.
