Could you tell me more about the FileMaker Business Alliance?

• The FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) is designed exclusively for companies that provide products and services based on the FileMaker product line. This includes FileMaker consultants, trainers, publishers, commercial solution providers, plug-in providers and hosting companies. Companies looking to increase their business opportunities through exclusive sales and marketing support from FileMaker would benefit from FBA membership. The FBA provides a host of resources including promotional benefits, sales resources, co-marketing opportunities and product discounts to help you grow your business.
• Learn more

What are the requirements to become a FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) member?

• In addition to the online application, FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) applicants must have been in business for at least one year, must be a full daytime business concern and must provide a valid business license upon request. In addition, the following must be submitted as application for FBA membership:
  1. A sample of your work, using the most current version of FileMaker Pro. For example:
     • Consultants – sample of your solution
     • Plug-in developers – sample of your plug-in
     • Trainers – current schedule of courses
     • Publishers – sample of the printed material
     • Hosting Providers – provide proof that you provide
     • 24/7 availability
     • automatic notification of downtime
     • reporting on downtime per month
     • secured server facility
     • dedicated server and FileMaker Server application
  2. Marketing Materials (website, brochure, resume, etc.)
  3. Two (2) business references. References should include: a) customers you have developed and deployed a FileMaker solution for in the last year which should include first and last name, company, email address, city, county and b) a brief description of the work you performed. Please be aware that we will be contacting the references you provide.
  4. A product and services description (This is your marketing statement describing your product and/or services that a customer would see when clicking on your company via the FileMaker website).
  5. Membership Fee (£269+VAT per year). Payment is not requested until the application has been reviewed and approved.
     Send the information to: fba_northern@filemaker.com or
     

     FileMaker International
     2 Furzeground Way
     Stockley Park East
     Uxbridge
     Middlesex UB11 1BB
     United Kingdom

What will I receive once I've been accepted in the FileMaker Business Alliance?

• Once approved, FileMaker Business Alliance members will receive a confirmation email that payment for membership has been received. Members will also receive a welcome email from their local regional office. The email you receive will contain your Membership ID# with information on how to access the FileMaker Business Alliance Members Only web site. This website contains resources such as your FileMaker Sales Rep contact information, sales tools, logos, and more. The primary contact of the FBA membership will be subscribed to Biz Talk, the online FileMaker business forum. Later via regular mail, you will receive a member pack with a Certificate of Membership, and instructions on the best ways to work with FileMaker, co-marketing opportunities, and how to get the most out of your relationship with FileMaker.

We have a FileMaker consulting business, a training facility, and we also sell a commercial product. How would I benefit from joining the FileMaker Business Alliance?

• For one FileMaker Business Alliance membership fee, the company, if requirements are met, may have a listing in the consultant, training and solution directories on the FileMaker website.

One of the benefits of the FBA program is "Sales Support from FileMaker". What exactly does this mean for my company?

• Many of our members attribute significant amounts of their business to leads generated from FileMaker websites. In addition, the FBA now gives members a direct line to the FileMaker sales team through an online forum and special meetings.

I understand the FileMaker Business Alliance program is a £269+VAT annual membership fee. What is the cost to become "Platinum" level in the FBA programme?

• Platinum members of the FileMaker Business Alliance are nominated by FileMaker Business Account Managers or Regional Managers. There is not a formal application process and an additional fee is not required for this level. Contact your FileMaker Regional Manager for more information.

What are the requirements to become an FBA Trainer level member?

• Training centres and individual trainers who provide customers with hands-on instruction for FileMaker software products may qualify for the FBA – Trainer Level programme. Members receive all the benefits of the FBA. In addition to the minimum requirements of a FileMaker Business Alliance member, a Trainer level applicant must provide a published schedule of training courses related to FileMaker Pro. The company must have a training facility, and a website with an online registration form or information on how to register for a class.
  
  If applying as an INDIVIDUAL trainer, please indicate so in the application. A sample of course materials and FileMaker certification is a plus. Customer references must be students that attended a training class delivered by your company. No additional membership fee is required.

I have multiple offices, how can I get them listed on the FileMaker website?

• FileMaker Business Alliance members, for an additional fee, may list additional branch offices in the Consultants directory on the FileMaker website. (Note: This does not include Trainer locations. Companies with an additional training site must purchase a second FBA membership).
  
  As set forth in your FBA Agreement, you may, upon approval by FileMaker add an additional location to the FBA Directory (see FBA Agreement (US Website) for details and limitations). Each additional listing is subject to an annual fee. P.O. Boxes or home addresses will not be accepted.
  
  The separate fee for each additional location is a flat annual fee, regardless of what point during the FBA members' membership year the additional location is added. Further, the term for each additional location will be coterminous with the FBA membership term. (For example, if your membership year began on 1st May 2010, and you were to enrol an additional location on 1st November 2010, then you would pay the additional annual fee for the additional location for that year, and the additional location would expire on 1st May 2009, at the same time that your FBA membership expires.)

What is the FileMaker policy as it relates Trainer level members and additional training listings?

• If you offer FileMaker training and have multiple training locations, you must purchase additional memberships for £269+VAT per year.

I have a commercial solution built in FileMaker Pro. I'd like to sell it as a bundle with FileMaker Pro. Are there any buying options for me?

• The Solution Bundle Agreement (SBA) is a software discount programme designed for FileMaker Business Alliance members who want to distribute FileMaker software bundled with their professionally developed solutions. FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server are available for special volume discounts in this programme.
  
  Here are the requirements and details to qualify:
  1. Available only to FileMaker Business Alliance members
  2. All Software Licenses issued are in your business name, not your end users' business name.
  3. You MUST bundle the FileMaker SBA licenses with your approved solution.
  4. There is a 50-unit minimum of FileMaker Pro for each purchase. FileMaker Server may also be purchased at a discount, but do not count toward minimum order.
  5. A report detailing where previous licenses were sold is due upon purchase of new licenses. FileMaker may use this for audit purposes.
  6. You can elect to purchase single user licenses or a network key license.

• Application Process:

  1. You must have a valid FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) membership
  2. Submit application with your solution(s) to FileMaker for review. If your solution requires FileMaker Server or FileMaker Server Advanced, please specify when you submit your application.
  3. If approved, FileMaker will send an agreement. Your initial order and signed agreement will complete the application process.
  4. Application is on FBA Members Only site
• Americas Contact: Chris Mann
  chris_mann@filemaker.com
  T) +44 (0) 20 8268 6000
  Filemaker UK Licensing Sales
  T) +44 (0) 20 8268 6030

I'd like to be able to offer my clients a full turnkey solution (e.g. bundling FileMaker Pro with my solution) and order FileMaker software as needed. Is there a buying option for me?

• FBA members have the ability to purchase FileMaker software at a discount for the purpose of bundling it with their solutions   the Solution Bundle Agreement (SBA) and Preferred VAR Pricing. Please call your local FileMaker sales representative for more information.

Do I need to sign up for the FileMaker Technical Network program if I am an FBA member?

• No. The primary contact of the FBA company will automatically be enrolled in the FileMaker Technical Network programme. New members will receive a welcome email with login information and will then have access to technical resources such as technical briefs, white papers, how-to articles, invitations to exclusive web seminars, access to the Technical Resource Library and iOS Development Resources. You'll also get access to the Developer discussion forum where you can meet and exchange ideas with other FileMaker users and developers. We encourage that all employees of an FBA company each sign up for the FileMaker Technical Network programme.

As an FBA member do I receive a FREE annual subscription to the FileMaker Developer Subscription?

• No. FBA members do not receive a FREE annual subscription to the FileMaker Developer Subscription. We highly recommend that at least one member of your organisation purchase the FileMaker Developer Subscription. For £49+VAT/annual, you receive the Development License of FileMaker Server Advanced, an electronic version of the FileMaker Training Series manua, and pre-release software when available. You must be a FileMaker Technical Network member to purchase the FileMaker Developer Subscription.