FileMaker DevCast: Everything Claris FileMaker

DevCast Ep 28: Comparing Tools: FMPerception, BaseElements, 2empowerFM

The Portage Bay team sits down for a conversation about the tools and workflows that support their day-to-day work. Their discussion offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the devs approach problem-solving, collaboration, and efficiency as they kick off the year.The team dives into the systems and tools they use regularly, like FM Perception, Base Elements, and 2Empower which support code navigation, debugging, and understanding complex data flows. While each developer brings their own preferences and opinions on which systems work best, these different approaches help the team collaborate to effectively and consistently deliver well-built, reliable software.

DevCast Ep 27: Meet HAM - Another Option for FileMaker Permissions (with Charles Delfs)

We had the pleasure of hearing Charles Delfs break down HAM (Headless Authorization Module) as he showed us how this system transforms the way you manage roles, permissions, and feature access in FileMaker. Inheritance, overrides, and data-driven rules can replace brittle security setups and open use cases like feature flags, SaaS plans, and time-based access.

DevCast Ep 26: Click, Build, Deploy: FM BetterForms Updates Unwrapped

We’re diving into the latest updates to FM Better Forms and taking a closer look at one of our own client’s web apps built on the platform. We share what’s new in Better Forms and how we’ve used it to build modern, real-world web apps that bridge the gap between low-code speed and polished web performance while combating challenges like caching.

Episode 25: Reports, Pickers, and JSON: The Value of Virtual Lists

Virtual lists are one of the most powerful and flexible techniques in FileMaker, giving developers the ability to generate custom reports, create dynamic pickers, and display complex data without storing it in fields.The team breaks down the essentials, like how global variables and JSON arrays feed into unstored calculations, how scripts can define headers and build arrays with SQL or looping, and why this approach is so effective for reporting and beyond.We also look at advanced use cases, from scaling large data sets and handling character limits to applying conditional formatting, integrating with WebViewer for interactive tables, and exploring Kevin Frank’s MD5-hashed window method for running multiple virtual lists at once.

Episode 24: API Integrations: The Good, the Buggy, and the Workarounds

Join our development team as we share real-world insights from recent API integration projects—including SharePoint, Shopify, QuickBooks, and Claris Connect. From handling authentication quirks to leveraging tools like Postman and n8n, this DevCast dives into the decisions, roadblocks, and solutions behind the systems we build. Whether you're navigating OAuth, working with REST vs. GraphQL, or exploring Claris Connect and workflow automation, there’s something here for every FileMaker pro and API tinkerer.