Studio Manager 9.2: Adding FM10 features, Still FM9 Compatible

We've just completed two major changes in Studio Manager.

First, we added dedicated table view layouts with subsummaries to 10-plus Studio Manager tables. All the major tables have this new interactive, browse-mode-oriented summary tool. These layouts work fine in FileMaker Pro 9, but they shine in FileMaker Pro 10 because the subsummaries work in Browse mode, not just in a Preview. You see your headings and subtotals while you edit your data (See my FileMaker Fever Posts here and here to see why this is very cool).

Second, we modifed the entry screen form factor a bit so that FileMaker 10 users can fit the entry screens with the 1" toolbar on top within the height of a 13" monitor. We wanted to support Macbooks on FileMaker 10.

The adjustment was small. The entry screens are 15 pixels wider and 14 pixels shorter. We expect our FileMaker 9 users not to notice but for FM10 users with 13" screens, the change will be critical to avoid a vertical scroll to see the whole screen.

We added a 3rd FileMaker 10 feature in SM 9.1. The FileMaker-native tabs in Contacts are now *smart* on their own. When you select a tab, the records filter to the type of Contact you are selecting with the tab. Click Clients and you get clients, etc.. This only works in FileMaker Pro 10. If you are in FileMaker Pro 9, you need to double-click the tabs in Contacts to get the automatic filtering.