Setting up Remote Access
There are three main options for setting up access to your ProcessMaster database for remote users:
1 - Direct Access
2 - Screen Share access with a machine in the office
3 - VPN Access
1. Direct Access
For this option you will need an IT Technician to setup your remote access.
You will need to install FileMaker Pro software on each machine in the second branch, or the machine used to work from home, that needs to access your ProcessMaster database.
Extra user licenses for your ProcessMaster database may be needed for the Staff Members in your second branch, if they do not already have logins to the database. Again these can be purchased by contacting us.
Once FileMaker Pro software has been installed on the extra machines you will need to set up the following:
Arrange for the following ports to be opened on your Firewall
FileMaker uses 4 Ports, they are
5003, 16000, 16001 and 80 (TCP & UDP)
These ports need to be opened on the Firewall of your Router, as well as on the Firewall of your FileMaker Server machine.
The Router needs to have port forwards setup that are directed (routed) to the IP Address of your FileMaker Server machine, or the Mac that is hosting ProcessMaster.
IP ADDRESS: Lastly, you will need to have a static IP address or set up a Static DNS.
If your site does not have a STATIC IP Address, then you will need to install and be running a Static DNS or Dynamic IP Locator application. A good free one we use can be found here : http://www.no-ip.info
Once these instructions have been followed and the Static IP address or Static DNS Url has been set up, you will be able to access you ProcessMaster database by opening FileMaker Pro, on the machines in the second branch, and go to:
File > Open Remote...
Select 'Favourite Hosts' in the "View" drop down list
Click on the "Add" button
In the Window that appears type in the Static IP or Static DNS Url in the field 'Host's Internet Address' then click "Save"
Make sure the new entry is selected in the Host List and in the Available Files List you should see your ProcessMaster database.
Select your ProcessMaster database and click "Open"
2. Screen Share access with a machine in the office
This is the easiest option for accessing your database remotely. It will require an office machine to be available in the office with FileMaker Pro installed.
Screen share access can be enabled to allow a connection to be setup using Mac OS/X for example or there are a number of applications that allow for this connection to be established:
- Teamviewer
- Logmein
- RealVNC
To name only a few.
From a machine in the remote location connect to the spare machine in the office and take control of the computer using Screen Sharing. On the machine in the office open FileMaker Pro and access your ProcessMaster database the same way you would if you were at the office.
Mac OS X machines have an inbuilt screen sharing application called VNC. For more information about this see the article on the Apple Website called About Screen Sharing
You could also try setting up a spare PC in the office with terminal services running on it.
3. VPN Access
For this option you will need an IT Technician to setup your remote access.
You will need to install FileMaker Pro software on each machine in the second branch, or the machine used to work from home, that needs to access your ProcessMaster database.
Extra user licenses for your ProcessMaster database may be needed for the Staff Members in your second branch, if they do not already have logins to the database. Again these can be purchased by contacting our accounts department.
Once FileMaker Pro software has been installed on the extra machines you will need to set up the following:
FileMaker uses 4 Ports, they are
5003, 16000, 16001 and 80 (TCP & UDP)
These ports need to be opened on the Firewall of your Router, as well as on the Firewall of your FileMaker Server machine.
Setup a VPN connection to your local network. Your IT Technician will know how to do this.
To access ProcessMaster from machines in the second branch first log in to the VPN. Once you are connected to the VPN open FileMaker Pro on the machine and go to:
File > Open Remote...
Select 'Favourite Hosts' in the "View" drop down list
Click on the "Add" button
In the Window that appears, in the field 'Host's Internet Address' type in the IP Address of the Server Machine on your local network, then click "Save"
Make sure the new entry is selected in the Host List and in the Available Files List you should see your ProcessMaster database.
Select your ProcessMaster database and click "Open"