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There is no doubt in my mind that FileMaker 7 represents the most significant software release in the entire history of the product. FileMaker, Inc. has done an excellent job in retaining the ease of usability while also providing developers with a very rich feature set. However, the change in architecture between prior versions and FileMaker 7 is not without challenges and opportunities.
To coincide with the release of FileMaker 7, FileMaker, Inc. also re-wrote its Professional Training Foundation Series Training and announced a new FileMaker Certification program which was rolled out in July 2004.
Why is Certification important?
FileMaker customers themselves have been asking FileMaker, Inc. for some time to introduce a certification program. In my opinion this was long overdue, however, better late than never. For years other companies like Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, Apple, Adobe and Macromedia have encouraged their developers to obtain certification credentials. While certification is not the only way to qualify a developer, it is one important measure when hiring an individual developer or a company that provides development services. If the company or individual you are thinking of hiring is not certified or does not recognize the importance of certification, you have to seriously ask yourself why.
Benefits of Certification
Certification benefits all parties involved: customers who use FileMaker Pro, FileMaker, Inc. and of course developers themselves. If your livelihood requires FileMaker knowledge then it would be a benefit to market yourself as a professional certified developer. Customers seeking FileMaker developers are assured that the individual or company they are hiring is well qualified, experienced with the entire product line and can develop a useful solution that will meet their needs today and into the future. FileMaker, Inc. benefits because they have more satisfied customers. It’s a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.
How do you get Certified?
The first step is to take some training. The FileMaker Professional Training Foundation Series II training material is the recommended (by FileMaker, Inc.) body of knowledge in order to pass the Developer Essentials exam. CoreSolutions regularly offer FileMaker Professional Training in its training centres; check out our web site for upcoming schedules. Once you are trained and have worked with FileMaker 7 for a while, you can sign up with Prometric to take the test in more than 3,000 locations worldwide. The cost is US$150 in Canada and the US.
CoreSolutions Leading the Way
CoreSolutions was the first company in Canada to have an employee obtain certification and today we have SIX certified developers on staff. No other FileMaker development company in Canada even comes close. This commitment demonstrates the importance we place on the certification program because it’s good for you, the customer, to know you are hiring the best.
Barney J. Lawn
