Articles > FileMaker Pro By Kevin Hammond, Database Development Services, Inc
Posted on May 3, 2008 Say good bye to your FileMaker robot (that is if you use one). FileMaker Server 9 has the ability for server side plugins to be installed and schedules to run FileMaker scripts or System Level operating system scripts based on your schedule setup (Daily, Weekly, Every n days limited to 7 currently).
Installing FileMaker Server Side Plugins
This was a bit tricky using the FileMaker Server 9 Help manual. You need to install the plugins in the FileMaker Server sub folder Database Server, Extensions folder just as you would with FileMaker Pro clients. The path on Windows:
C:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server\Database Server\Extensions
In the FileMaker Server console, in the Database Server area you will find the Server Plug-Ins tab. Make sure you check, Enable FileMaker Server to use plug-ins. When doing this the plugin do not automatically appear.
You need to stop the server and restart the server in order for the plug ins to appear in the FileMaker Console under the tab Server Side plug-ins.
Once the plug-ins appears enable the plug-in via the checkbox next to each plug-in. We setup Comm-Unity SMTPit Pro plugin along with Troi File plug-in as FileMaker Server 9 plugins with no problems.
Scheduling FileMaker Server Scripts
In the FileMaker Server Schedules simply create a new schedule, you are then brought to the Task Scheduling Assistant which is a very easy to use wizard consisting of 8 steps.
Select the task Run Script, then you can chose either a ScriptMaker script OR System-Level Script. This example is of a ScriptMaker script.
Then you simply specify the FileMaker file on the server you wish to use and enter in the Account Name and password you will be using. You may choose to use the Guest Account if this is enabled.
NOTE: You do not need to use plugins to use the FileMaker Server scripts. You may wish to automate a report to be sent via email using a FileMaker email plugin for example.
Select the script you wish to run in your schedule and you can also provide a script parameter if desired.
FileMaker Server Script Compatibility
FileMaker Server side scripts work like Instant Web Publishing script where some scripts steps are not compatible like message boxes. I highly recommend reading the Filemaker Training Series Foundation to understand what is not compatible with Instant Web Publishing.
FileMaker Server Email Notification
You can also enabled email notifications to be sent when the script schedule is processed. Email notification will be sent when either errors occur OR when the script runs successful. Would be nice to only get email notification when errors occur.
When you test server side schedules using plug-ins a few helpful tips to know.
- The Event.log located in the FileMaker Server sub folder, Logs, will provide you excellent details as to what occurs when a FileMaker Server schedule is run.
- When running a server side script schedule, the file Startup script will run prior to the script you selected runs. Make sure your startup script is web compatible.
Best wishes to you and your FileMaker Server automation And if you use a FileMaker robot stand alone machine, maybe you can find a way to integrate your automation with FileMaker Server.
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