Just examining the possibility of using GoZync/ProZync for an offline syncing solution, however it isn't just a standard sync with a couple of tables, I have a database with the following:

A Filemaker DB that upon opening opens a further 5 Filemaker DB's as external data sources.

Approx 15 tables in each DB all with inter-linking fields/calculations.

Total approx size of DB (all data sources) is 300MB.

Would GoZync/ProZync be a viable offline syncing solution for this or would this be more along the lines of a bespoke/tailored solution?

TIA

James

Hi James,

The number or files isn't an issue as many folks choose to build their mobile solutions out of multiple files-the benefits of the separation model can be pretty awesome for synced solutions as you can use GoZync to deliver new copies of interface files as you develop them. Or deliver some *data* as entirely new files instead of syncing that data: this is great for especially heavy data that only goes "one way", like a company's product catalog.

So if among these 5 DBs there are some where users never change data, GoZync's a great way to get those on to the mobile devices whenever there is a new version.

The criteria I'd use to decide if GoZync would be a good fit here is this: are you trying to replicate the hosted solution to each user, or is there a distinct subset of the solution mobile users will be working with?

At 75 tables, it sounds like you're replicating the hosted solution instead of building something mission-specific for the mobile work force. GoZync isn't designed for replication. We have a longer article about this issue if you're interested. It's about why "mobile" calls for mission specific apps:

http://www.seedcode.com/filemaker-sync- ... bile-apps/

I don't think we have a great solution for replication in FileMaker yet. If your mobile users are on laptops or desktops I'd take a look at SyncDek (http://syncdek.com/). They've been doing replication for years on desktop: however their product for FMGo doesn't seem to be there yet. MirrorSync does replication (http://360works.com/filemaker-sync/), and works on FMGo, though I'd be more comfortable using MirrorSync server to server than using it to replicate a big solution across a lot of devices.

Hope that helps,

John

Hi John,

The proposed solution would have the users making offline changes to the database on an iPad and then syncing with the DB once they arrived back at the office. The changes to the data would be minimal, the addition of 3, maybe 4 records each sync would be the norm. However, it's how the structure of how the existing database is set out that is causing the most confusion, with so many scripts and calculations used to populate the fields across various databases it seems a difficult concept to set up, as at some point in a record one part of the data will be referencing a field in a different Filemaker DB.

I can't help but think if the databases were to be amalgamated into just one database this would make the sync much, much easier to set up. Is that right or am I way off base?

Thanks,

James

You're not off base at all. We often see big, convoluted hosted solutions sync to brand new, simpler mobile file. The mobile file has just the data the mobile user needs and if they need some background information on the customer, for example, that's flattened down into a much simpler structure than what's used to represent it on the hosted side.

For example a history of orders, prices, and deliveries could be delivered as a single history table, or even as a single paragraph of text, instead of the dozens of tables representing "history" on the hosted side.

THAT is what we designed GoZync for: this kind of asymmetrical sync from a simple mobile file to a complex hosted one.

And, of course, if you need help figuring out how to "flatten" some of that hosted stuff for your mobile users we offer implementation packages for mods or coaching: http://www.seedcode.com/implementation-packages/

Not sure what your timeline is, but Todd Geist and I are getting together for an under-the-hood webinar on GoZync (like a live Q&A session) July 21 if you'd like to attend: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist ... 9798061058

=)