Having worked with FileMaker for over 15 years, and with experience in open source and commercial relational databases, I have the experience to ensure your project is executed promptly and effectively.

Designing databases and the user interface is only part of the equasion. The ability to understand business needs and communicate the requirements effectively are critical elements required for a successfule application.

Developing in FileMaker is also only half the solution. Often other scripting languages like PHP are required, as well as other databases like MySQL.

My philosophy is to keep it simple. Overly complex systems are sometimes required but are too often just sexy ideas. Ensuring the user will use the application is the most important aspect and this requires a very easy to use program.

Samples/Demos

Please feel free to download a free executable (does not require FileMaker to run). This is a freeware tool for artists to catalog their work. It is available at http://davidbruce.artypants.org/filemaker/ArtworkFileManager_v7a04.zip. Note: this version will only run on Windows XP.

Screen Shots

This is a more recent addition to a program I wrote for clothing manufacturers. This is the check reconcilliation file. Although it looks simple and the logic isn't really rocket science, the computational complexity is a consideration.

This is the order entry part of the above mentioned system. This was done in 1994 with FileMaker 3.0. Back then, I color coded everything to allow a complex window to be easier to remember. These days, I would split this a little more elegantly. However, I still like to put a lot of data into one window for users who will be familiar with the system.

FileMaker Work History:

7/2002-Present: Contractor

• Cleary Brothers (contract landscape agency) Order tracking and costing database
• SubTraction (flash designer tallent agency) Tallent tracking and placement database
• Sorrent (cell phone gaming
  Bug tracking database
• EvolveFish.com (on-line shopping site)
  Lead developer for internal order processing applications and new Web site functions. Developed TimeCard application and normalized data design.
• SDV/ACCI (DVBE state contracting firm):
  Project Manager and technical lead for upgrade of 100+ table FileMaker application.
  

5/2001-6/2002: Developer for InnerSpace Engineering, a distributor of industrial equipment in San Mateo, CA

• Originally wrote order entry system and job costing in FileMaker II
• Converted to relational system with FileMaker 3.0 and applied many relational structures. This allowed the system to work faster with less disk space.
• Installed FileMaker server 5.0 and added task management features, and commission reporting system.

9/1997-12/2000: Engineer for Netcentives, an Internet startup in San Francisco, CA

• Created customer service email response system with integrated knowledge base which maintained 18 monthls of email history for each customer and handled 20 users on FileMaker server 3.0. This system is no longer to be found since the company went bankrupt.
• Developed web based bug reporting system with FileMaker 4.0
• Developed supplier tracking system which was used to "massaged" the data between the transactional database and the format required by each of the suppliers.

1993-1997: Self-employed FileMaker Application Developer and Graphic Designer in San Francisco, CA

• Developed Order Process, inventory control, production ticket and bookkeeping application for clothing manufacturers. (see screen shots above)
• Member of Claris Solution alliance with the above product.
• Simplified and enhanced FileMaker applications written for the Exploratorium, SLUG, SFES, and other small businesses

1991-1993: Distribution Manager for Yellow Jersey Group, a free monthly bicycling newspaper in San Francisco, CA

• Managed FileMaker membership database and subscription services

1989-1991: Office Manager for InnerSpace Engineering, a distributor of industrial equipment in San Mateo, CA

• Developed Order Process application (previously mentioned - see 2002 employment).

Education:

• BA in Economics, Boulder, CO, 1988
• Computer Classes, Berkeley Extension, 1997-2004

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