Course Overview and Benefits


The Claris Connect Fundamentals course provides the professional FileMaker developer with all the basic tools needed to get started with Claris Connect. In this course, we explore what we believe are the most popular aspects of Claris Connect. That is, the ability to connect FileMaker with an external third-party app. We walk you through the step-by-step process of connecting to two free apps, Mailchimp and SendGrid using a hosted FileMaker app. 

The topics include:  

  • Creating a Claris/FileMaker ID.
  • Getting started with Claris Connect and signing up for the service.
  • Learning the Claris Connect concepts which define the overall methodology of how Claris Connect works and definitions of the workflow concepts such as Projects, Flows and Flow Steps.
  • Using a Mailchimp account as a trigger for new subscribers.
  • Hosting a FileMaker file and configuring the FileMaker Server the settings in such a way that Claris Connect will be able to connect to your file.
  • Setting up an additional flow with SendGrid to create an automatic email alert for new subscribers.
  • Handling Mailchimp unsubscribe requests and ensuring a script is triggered to update the contact in FileMaker. 
  • Adding new subscribers to your Mailchimp list when contacts are added in FileMaker.
  • Reviewing how the Claris Connect approval feature works and how to integrate it into your Flows.

  • $299.00 / year

    Entire University Bundle

    Gain access to all PCU courses with a subscription to the bundle.
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Course Curriculum

    1. Welcome

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. How To Use This Course

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. About Marc Larochelle / Productive Computing

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Course Version History

    1. Getting Started with Claris Connect

    2. Claris Connect Concepts

    3. Contacting Claris Connect Support

    1. MailChimp Setup

    2. FileMaker File: Create and Host (MC to FM)

    3. Flow 1: Step 1 & 2 (New Mail Chimp Subscriber to FileMaker)

    4. Configure FileMaker File for Claris Connect

    5. Flow 1: Step 3 (Send Email with SendGrid)

    6. Flow 2: Step 1 (Unsubscribe from MailChimp)

    1. FileMaker File: Create and Host (FM to MC)

    2. FileMaker Trigger Claris Connect (Part 1)

    3. FileMaker Trigger Claris Connect (Part 2)

    4. New Subscriber in MailChimp

    1. Templates

    2. Manage the Team/Users

    3. Sharing Projects

    4. Flow History

    5. Flow Settings

    6. Flow Versions

    7. Connected Apps

    8. Working With Approval Requests (Actions)

    9. Approval Requests Using Microsoft Outlook

    1. Thank You!

    2. Other Offerings from Productive Computing

About this course

  • $99.00 / year
  • 28 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content

Course Reviews

5 star rating

Well Done

Greg Benson

Excellent took away a lot of misconceptions

Excellent took away a lot of misconceptions

Read Less
5 star rating

Outstanding

Pierre COLIN

Once again you nailed it with a clear and understandable course. Thank you Marc.

Once again you nailed it with a clear and understandable course. Thank you Marc.

Read Less
5 star rating

Great Class Marc

Russell Haney

Great starting point learning Connect

Great starting point learning Connect

Read Less

Prerequisites

This course assumes the following prerequisites:

  1. Access to a live FileMaker Server 18 or higher or FileMaker Cloud including the use of a valid SSL cert
  2. You have a good understanding of FileMaker development and scripting
  3. Requires a FileMaker/Claris ID
  4. Requires a paid version or a trial version of Claris Connect
  5. Requires FileMaker Pro 18 or higher (or a trial version)
  6. A Mailchimp account (free version is fine)
  7. A SendGrid account (free version is fine)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do I need a Claris Connect account to take this course?

    Yes, without a Claris Connect account, you won't be able to follow along with the course and you will have no direct benefit to taking it other than being familiar with how it works.

  • I'm not ready to invest in Claris Connect yet. Can I use the trial version of Claris Connect to quickly test things out with the help of this course?

    Yes, absolutely. You can use this course and a trial of Claris Connect.

  • Do I need to use FileMaker Server 18 or above or can I use an earlier version of FileMaker Server?

    Claris Connect only works with FileMaker Server 18 or above or FileMaker Cloud.

  • Do I need to use FileMaker Pro Advanced 18 or above or can I use an earlier version of FileMaker to create my FileMaker files?

    You could prepare your FileMaker files in earlier versions of FileMaker Pro Advanced but those files will need to be hosted on FileMaker Server 18 or higher (or FileMaker Cloud). Using versions of FileMaker Pro Advanced that are too old won't provide a necessary privilege set of "FMRest" which would prevent you from being able to use that file with Claris Connect.

  • I've never set up FileMaker Server before. Will this course help me do that?

    No, this course assumes you already have FileMaker Server 18 or later set up and running with public-facing access and a qualified SSL certificate installed. If you need instructions on how to set up FileMaker Server and an SSL certificate, we offer the course "FileMaker Server SSL Certificate Installation."

  • I'm a "basic" FileMaker developer and I'm fairly new to the platform. Is this course going to be over my head?

    Maybe yes, maybe no. If you are brand new to the Claris/FileMaker platform, we recommend having a basic understanding of FileMaker scripts, records, tables, relationships, etc. prior to taking this course. This course does not attempt to train you with FileMaker development in any way.

  • Does this course come with the Productive Computing University Bundle?

    Yes, this course is included with the purchase of the University Bundle.

  • Will this course have updates?

    Yes, this course (as well as most of our other courses) will have updates – especially if the technology changes. Some courses are updated once a year or more while other courses are updated less often – especially if the content remains relevant. This course, in particular, could have several updates because Claris Connect is a new product and could have several updates.

Your Instructor

President/CEO/Founder Productive Computing, Inc. Marc Larochelle

Starting in 1991, Marc worked for the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) for 5 years and built the trade show database in FileMaker which tracked 1000 exhibitors and 12 football fields worth of exhibit space. NAMM is one of the world’s largest trade shows and FileMaker was keeping track of everything. While at NAMM, Marc taught computer classes at night helping users with their Macintosh, MS Word, Excel, etc. In addition, he taught music/multimedia classes at local community colleges. Marc Larochelle and his brother Keith started Productive Computing, Inc. (PCI) in 1996. The company now in its twenty-second year, serves customers who use FileMaker and QuickBooks in the areas of custom development, solutions, plug-ins, hosting and licensing. Marc is certified in FileMaker versions 7 through 18 and he also holds a certification in AWS (Amazon Web Services). Marc has been to 19 FileMaker DevCons (18 as an exhibitor) and is considered a prime influencer within the FileMaker community. 

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