ANTenna Blog -- Hardware & Software

For the next two months, FileMaker is offering its Server version as a free throw-in for anyone purchasing ten licenses for FileMaker Pro.

As described in the bMighty slideshow "Building The Mac Office," FileMaker is the database software for Mac-based businesses. It comes in three versions: FileMaker Pro, the basic desktop database that lets you share a database among up to ten users; FileMaker Pro Advanced, which adds more development features for setting up custom menus, creating standalone solutions, and things like that; and FileMaker Server, which enables you to share a database with more than ten people and/or host it on a centralized Mac rather than an individual's desktop. The last also provides an Admin Console for managing databases from any Mac on the network, additional security features, and automatic backups.

Don't Miss: Building The Mac Office - 2009 Edition

If the Server version sounds useful, there's a promotion you should know about. Until December 22, anyone who purchases ten FileMaker Pro licenses can get FileMaker Server 10 at no additional cost. The bundle also comes with a year of maintenance. FileMaker Pro itself usually costs $299 per seat, but the ten-pack goes for $2,850; and the server version usually costs $879. The offer, complete with Buy Now button and phone contact for "licensing specialist," is available here.