Claris FileMaker 21.1—Big Updates to AI Capabilities
On Wednesday, November 6th, Claris announced the release of FileMaker 21.1, which includes major updates to AI functionalities and improvements to the semantic search feature. This key update is available for all customers with active licenses, including perpetual license holders (with maintenance option), and Finished Goods license holders. Additional updates to FileMaker 2024 (released in June 2024) include unlimited Data API and OData use, and certified compatibility with macOS Sequoia and iOS 18. FileMaker 21.1 includes improved control over the popular Open Quickly feature, the ability to use HTTPS tunneling on Mac and Windows, and numerous server administration and developer-focused improvements.
For a full list of new updates, see the Claris FileMaker 21.1 release notes.
Semantic Search on Images
Semantic search was released this past June in FileMaker 2024. The latest upgrade allows users to perform semantic search on images, including the ability to perform natural language searches on images without keyword tagging. By allowing images to constitute the search “question,” users can quickly generate similar images or find duplicate images faster than ever before.
Improvements for Developers
Developers will see a small changes to scripting, layouts, and options that allow for quicker, more natural development. With the removal of Data API and OData limits, developers don’t need to fear any hidden costs of integration and can instead prioritize work- and data flows. Additionally, OData is now fully 4.01 standard.
The Open Quickly feature was controversial among developers—a hero among some organizations and blacklisted at others. Open Quickly allows users to quickly navigate between apps, but also allowed users to access scripts and layouts directly while skipping some user experiences. Version 21.1 includes a configuration option for Open Quickly that prevents users from bypassing app workflows. Such access can now be controlled in the privilege settings for a file, so all developers can now upgrade and take advantage of this feature’s intended time savings.
Other developer improvements include the new ExecuteSQLe, the ability to set a default theme for new layouts, new script defaults that are set to most common options, PSOS scripts can call PSOS, layout calculations are now referenced, and many other minor improvements.
To augment AI capabilities, this update also includes support for Cohere, an OpenAI alternative that allows for free testing. With more ways to integrate AI, no limits on the Data API, and the removal of many pain points, developers are better enabled to creatively and efficiently create new solutions.
Improvements for IT & System Administrators
IT personnel and system administrators will enjoy overall FileMaker Server console improvements that facilitate easier access to most-used features. Administrators now have the option to open “only last opened databases” on FileMaker Server restart, and will notice that the JDK version is now visible on the web publishing tab, and enterprise license keys are now obfuscated in the Admin Console.
FileMaker 21.1 unlocks the ability to add HTTPS server tunneling on both Mac and Windows (server tunneling on Windows requires Nginx), which can be enabled or disabled using the Admin API. This update allows for simpler uploading of SSL certificates by using the Admin API, and the “all files must be on the same host” option, which is managed in FileMaker Pro. IT staff and administrators alike can expect better performance, reliability, and stability from this update.
FileMaker Go Updates
The new release means that FileMaker Go 21.1 is fully iOS 18 certified, and includes several fixes requested by the Claris Community. In addition, barcode scanning now works when FMGo is in a window, and new language options now support Arabic.
Claris Connect Update (10/29/24)
A recent Claris Connect update included new and improved Claris Studio connections, with the added abilities to create records, create multiple records, and update records. The data retention policy also changed from 45 days originally to a new 135 days.
Conclusion
FileMaker 21.1 includes new ways to integrate AI into applications, the ability to use semantic search on images, no limits on the Data API and/or OData use, and lots of server-side improvements that create better performance, reliability, and stability. Developers will experience a plethora of new minor updates that make scripting more intuitive and can rest easy knowing that Open Quickly is configurable to protect workflows. If you have questions about this upgrade, or are curious about integrating these new AI functionalities, reach out to us or contact your account manager today.