FM10 - WinXP

The app we are building will need the ability to reference scanned docs and
photos. For obvious reasons we do not want to use container fields but
instead refernce the JPGs and PDFs on a server, probably a server that is
remote from the Filemaker server. The app will be published using IWP
because there is a limited user base (4 initially with the possibility of
20-25 tops over the next 2 years). The concept is that a user can go to this
web page (hosted on server1) and click on a link to view a PDF. The plugin
would manage the request to view the PDF which is stored on server2.

My first look into this brings up two possible plugins that I would
consider, Troi File and 360 Works SuperContainer. It seems that licensing
costs are about the same for either. I have had some experience with the
Troi product several years ago and it seemed like a sound plugin. I'm not
sure if it will do the remote call or not though.I have no experience with
the 360 product.

Can anyone provide insight into which of these would be the best solution?

I don't have any experience with the plugins you mention, but I'm
always interested in learning the limitations of FM. You can use
container fields to store file references instead of the files
themselves, and if you're publishing on the web you can use text
fields to store references that you can call in html -- though I don't
know to what extent IWP does this automatically or via the Web
Viewer. So how come you're looking at a plugin for these functions?

I'm only asking to get a better understanding. I use plugins for
other functions, but it seems like FM's native capabilities will cover
your needs.

Thanks,
-J.

On 2009-12-21 17:40:08 +0100, "GSteven" <GSP@DavClaServ> said:

SuperContainer is a great solution, that I use myself for our booking
system with alot of pictures and maps that is embedded in travel
documents. It is no problem to have it on another server, and it is
also compatible with IWP so you can easily build a fast and
userfriendly solution. You can also build it with PHP if you later
would need that. You can have a button that opens the file or downloads
it on your computer.
I had a wish that the previous version of supercontainer did not have,
I asked for it, and two days later it was build in to the latest
version. That impressed me!

I think the Filemaker native referenced solution is useless since it
can not store the files on a sentral server, but only on the local
computer, or you have alot of trouble to fix the file upload to sentral
server. In supercontainer you just drop the file in the calculated
webviewer, and the file is uploaded to the server, wherever it is on a
remote computer, or a local server.

Regards Nicolay

I use the Free plugin Moo Plug (mooplug.com) the locate on the
serveur, or any maped drive if the file exist and then using the open
URL and let windows open using the define software for the extension
wich application it will use

We scan all work order and contract (Since 1969) and using the
conditionnal formating, I can change the color of the button if the
file exist or not, you can even make the tooltips display message if
file exist or not on the location.

Its Free and you can give to the programmer a donation if you like it.

We made the decision to go with Super Container, based mostly on what our
hosting company will allow on the server. I have not gotten it installed or
configured yet but have all confidence that it will do exactly what we need.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Steve


"GSteven" <GSP@DavClaServ> wrote