Database Notifications
Bad joke: How do you know when your database has a problem?
Answer: Simple, you make a query about it - and have it notify you.
Ok, all jokes aside, you're taking the time to create a wonderful work of technological art by creating a database which will solve all kinds of real world problems.
The problem, however, is you may not know when things go right, or wrong, within your database. Probably, because you haven't taken the time to code in some type of notification system. Fortunately, this is quite easy.
There are all kinds of possible notifications you can use, starting with your most common, which is email. However, email isn't always the most immediate or effective. What about SMS? Or, how about a native (and immediate) smartphone notification system?
Using notifications, you can not only enhance the usefulness of administrative communications for your database, but use the same features for your users as well.
This video and sample file will provide you with the steps and knowledge necessary to make an effective database notification system. If you've never integrated your database with a third party system, and using some of FileMaker 13's new features is on your bucket list, then make sure and give this video a quick review!
Comments
URL Encoding
Thank you for another great video Matt. One thing I am curious about, when sending a message url encoded, I am receiving the message url encoded. So when I receive the notification on my iPhone, it looks like "Thank%20you%20for%20watching." Removing the auto enter calculation from the field and simply sending "Thank you for watching.", I receive it properly. Is there a specific reason this was being sent url encoded?
Thanks again and keep the great videos coming!
The encoding may not be required
There are certain characters which do need to be encoded when passed. However, because the content is being passed as part of a POST, characters like spaces will probably make it through just fine.
If, based on your own testing, you don't need to encode then you can always go with that solution. The error returned by the call to the url is what you want to pay attention to and trap for.
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor
insert from URL
Hi Matt,
the field in which you insert from url does have to be on the layout, but it can be placed in the offscreen area, if one doesn't want the user to see/access it.
(same thing with a container you want to insert into by a script step)
I guess you know about that, but I don't think you mention it in your video.
And thanks, I didn't know about the pushover service, I'll definitely use this technique in the near future !
Thanks
Yep, you're right! In fact, you can do a lot of stuff with fields and portals in the offscreen area. Recently, due to the amount of stuff I'm keeping offscreen, I have been using a tab panel for organization and that works too.
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor
Connection Failed!
I've just implemented this technique, which is great and works fine on Mac FM Pro 14/15. However on Windows I'm getting 'Connection Failed' message when sending the message. I'm hosting your file on FM Server 15.
Any idea why?
Best regards
Peter
Peter Christiansen
Something blocking things?
The best advice I can give is to check if anything is being blocked. You can always test things on the command line (PowerShell on Windows?). Issues usually boil down to something missing or some permission not being valid.
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor