FilemakerProductConference ‘12 Development Principles For a Hybrid Approach to Extensible Custom Development Chris Cain

Development Principles For a Hybrid Approach to Extensible Custom Development

Conventional Approaches Product/Shrink-wrap Carefully defined scope Unique Approach to a Specific Business Need Hand-crafted, one-of-a- kind development Economy of scale Custom Development Singular Purpose Unique Approach to a Specific Business Need Hand-crafted, one-of-a- kind development Interface or Process Centric

The Hybrid Approach Pre-design as much as possible Design for Extensibility, not a single, finished product Strive for consistency over creativity Data-Centric development Cross-pollination of ideas

The Hybrid Approach Pre-design as much as possible Don’t reinvent the wheel with each customer Invest hours up-front, before the customer begins steering development toward more narrow needs Focus only on things that 90+% of clients can use – Contact Management – Activity Management – Users and Employees – System Preferences

The Hybrid Approach Design for Extensibility, not a single, finished product Change is the only constant. Consider each “hard-coded” parameter seriously. Place parameters in the hands of administrators Consider other uses for the solution of the moment

The Hybrid Approach Strive for consistency over creativity Anyone can “think outside the box”… Build a better box. Consistent look and feel. Users shouldn’t have to be re-trained on each new layout, button, report Developers shouldn’t have to be retrained on the basics each time they work with a new client’s solution Centralize common functions wherever possible, so they can be changed across the board

The Hybrid Approach Data-Centric development Designing the data structure reveals gaps and opportunities With well-designed data structure, process and interface come naturally Good data design supports multiple processes and multiple interfaces… The reverse is NOT true.

The Hybrid Approach Cross-pollination of ideas Enhancements from one solution are more likely portable Crowdsource testing and enhancement opportunities Even totally custom solutions become ready tools in the toolbox for future development Opportunity for open-source base system shared by others in the FileMaker community – Reproduction + Variation + Competition = Evolution

Development Principles Consistent, reliable foundation development Abstraction Extensibility and Efficiency

It Works 34 xBase Solutions created 28 xBase Solutions still live and in use – (others lost through business closings, sales, mergers, etc.) 22 xBase Solutions have generated development income in 2012

xBase Demo

Q & A