Is Your Pet Turtle Faster Than FileMaker?

July 17, 2024
Robert Miller

Or: Why is My FileMaker Slow?

FileMaker Pro, by Claris, is a powerful, flexible database management system, but like any software, it can experience speed and performance issues. Several factors cause FileMaker to slow down, impacting its responsiveness and efficiency. Here are some common reasons for performance slowdowns in FileMaker:

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Sometimes it feels like your FileMaker app just isn’t running as fast as it should…

1. Database Design Issues

  • Complex Relationships: Overly complex relationships between tables will cause speed issues. Each time a related record is accessed, FileMaker processes the relationship, which can take time with more connections.

    This is especially the case with home-grown solutions where the relationship graph often looks like a spider-web.  Hub and spoke graphs can be slower than the preferred anchor-buoy method.
  • Large Number of Fields: Having an excessive number of fields in a table, especially if many are unstored calculations or summary fields, can slow down performance.

    A fact which many developers don’t realize, is that, when any change is made to a table with an associated layout, FileMaker server must push all fields on that table from server to client.  It doesn’t matter if the layout has just one field on it; if there are hundreds of other fields in that table, the server has to work as if all the fields were displayed. So ‘narrow’ tables are preferred to ‘wide’ tables.
  • Excessive Layout Objects: Layouts with many objects, such as fields, portals, and graphics, will take longer to render, especially if they contain complex conditional formatting or visibility settings.  Themes and styles can impact this, if not used well.

2. Data Volume

  • Large Record Sets: Handling a large number of records will slow down FileMaker, particularly when searching, sorting, or navigating through data.
  • Bloated Data: Storing large amounts of unoptimized data, such as high-resolution images or large files, will increase database size and slow down access times.

3. Network Issues

  • Slow Network Connection: FileMaker performance will be significantly affected by the speed and reliability of the network, especially for remote users accessing a FileMaker server over the internet.
  • Network Latency: High latency in the network will cause delays in data transmission between the FileMaker client and server giving the impression of a slow application.

4. Server Performance

  • Insufficient Hardware: Insufficient hardware resources, such as CPU, RAM, and disk speed will impact the performance of the FileMaker server .  Not all solutions run effectively on a Mac Mini Server box.  To make the FileMaker solution to run well, buy the biggest, baddest box of CPU, RAM and HD power available.
     
  • High Server Load: A server handling too many simultaneous connections or running other resource-intensive applications will experience slowdowns.  Don’t share FileMaker on a server with other applications.  Dedicate your FileMaker server box to just FileMaker to experience a faster solution. 

5. Script Efficiency

  • Inefficient Scripts: Poorly written or overly complex scripts will impact FileMaker speed. Scripts performing large data imports, exports, or extensive loops can be particularly taxing.  Let us take a look at your scripts with our “$99 Inspection Tuneup”.  We’ll examine your solution and find any factors which may be contributing to to poor performance.
  • Frequent Triggered Scripts: Scripts triggered by user actions (e.g., OnRecordLoad, OnObjectModify) can cause performance issues if they run frequently and perform heavy tasks.

6. Indexing Issues

  • Lack of Indexing: Searching and sorting non-indexed fields will cause delays. Proper indexing can significantly speed up these operations.
  • Too Many Indexed Fields: Conversely, indexing too many fields, especially if they are rarely used for searches or sorts, will increase CPU processes and slow down the database.  The goal is to find the “Goldilocks of indexing” where it is “just right”.

7. External Data Sources

  • Slow External Data: Accessing external data sources (e.g., SQL databases, web services, graphics) can cause delays.  Prune the list of external data sources to remove expired, defunct, or non-existent servers or these will slow down outreach as FileMaker works its way through the list.
  • Un-optimized ESS Connections: Using FileMaker’s External SQL Sources (ESS) feature can lead to performance issues if the SQL queries are not optimized.

8. Client-Side Factors

  • Old Hardware or software: Running FileMaker on outdated or underpowered client machines can result in slow performance. Also, uppdate all operating systems.
  • Multiple Applications Running: Having multiple applications running simultaneously on the client machine can consume resources and slow down FileMaker.

9. File Corruption

Corrupted Database Files: Corruption in the FileMaker database files can cause erratic behavior and slow performance. Regular backups and file maintenance are essential preventive measures.  If the program is acting weird or inconsistent, we can help by swapping out older FileMaker backups.

Solutions and Best Practices for Faster FileMaker

Improve FileMaker performance
  • Optimize Relationships: Simplify relationships and avoid unnecessary complexity.
  • Manage Fields: Reduce the number of fields and optimize calculations.
  • Streamline Layouts: Simplify layouts and minimize the number of objects.
  • Network Optimization: Ensure a stable and fast network connection, especially for remote access.
  • Upgrade Hardware: Ensure the server and client machines meet FileMaker’s hardware requirements. ( https://support.claris.com/s/article/Claris-FileMaker-2024-Technical-Specifications?language=en_US )
  • Efficient Scripting: Write efficient scripts and avoid unnecessary triggers.
  • Indexing Strategy: Index fields that are frequently searched or sorted, and avoid indexing fields unnecessarily.
  • Regular Maintenance: Perform regular maintenance and backups to prevent file corruption.

By addressing these factors, you can significantly improve the performance of your FileMaker databases, ensuring a smoother and more efficient user experience.

Improve FileMaker performance

Contact us for our $99 Inspection Tuneup.  We will review your system, and give you a 10-factor printed report.

[ https://highpowerdata.com/filemaker-inspection-tuneup/ ]

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