FileMaker Pro 4.0

FILEMAKER PRO KEEPS TITANIC AFLOAT

20th Century Fox Productions uses database to log assets on $200 million project

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 7, 1998 &emdash; Fox Feature Productions, a movie production industry leader, recently completed the implementation of an asset tracking system used in the $200 million epic Titanic. All of the production's assets, including props, sets and costumes were successfully managed by a FileMaker Pro database, which totaled $212 -- with tax.

"In the production of Titanic, millions of dollars were spent on props, set dressings, wardrobe and construction -- all of which had to be accurately tracked," said Rod Henson, IT developer for Fox Feature Production. "I chose FileMaker Pro for the job because it allowed us to rapidly implement a sound tracking system, make the information readily available and input thousands of assets, including digital images."

When the production of Titanic began, a tracking system was not in place. After surveying literally thousands of assets, Henson decided he needed to implement a fully relational database solution that would accommodate PC and Mac users.

Enter FileMaker Pro 4.0.

FileMaker Pro 4.0 (ERP: $199 U.S., through FileMaker resellers) is an easy-to-use cross-platform relational database, which provides instant and custom Internet publishing and runs on Windows 95, Windows NT, Windows 3.1 and Mac OS. In addition, it comes with 48 templates for home, business, education and Web applications. Within a week, digital photos were taken of all the assets, such as sketches of Rose, the "Heart of the Ocean" diamond necklace and authentic china, and logged into the FileMaker Pro system. Next, the database was published to the Feature Production's Intranet, which could be accessed using Web browsers.

"Getting the FileMaker Pro tracking system in place required less time than it took to actually photograph all the assets," said Henson. "I'm sold on FileMaker Pro for its fully relational structure, powerful Web publishing features and easily customizable templates."

When the project was completed, the database had more than 5,000 assets and 800 separate images within its tracking system. The rapid application of the FileMaker solution allowed the department to monitor millions of dollars in assets with minimal expense.

FileMaker Pro 4.0 is for both Windows and Macintosh users. For Windows users, it is designed for Microsoft Windows NT 3.51, Windows 95, Windows 3.1* and Microsoft BackOffice, operating on an Intel-compatible computer with a CD-ROM (floppies available at an additional cost) drive and requires a minimum of 35MB hard disk drive space and 8 MB of RAM. The product will run over the following networks for Windows users: Novell NetWare client software (for IPX/SPX) or Network TeleSystems TCP Pro 3.0 or newer (for TCP/IP) for Windows 3.1 users; Novell NetWare client software (for IPX/SPX) or Microsoft TCP/IP-32b (for TCP/IP) for Windows for Workgroup* users; and IPX/SPX or TCP/IP stacks included with the OS for Windows 95 or newer or Windows NT users.

FOX FEATURE PRODUCTION

Fox Feature Production is responsible for the physical production of feature films for 20th Century Fox. The Feature Production Division handles the budgeting, scheduling, staffing, tracking and monitoring of physical aspects required to produce movies. It is responsible for making twenty to thirty films each year.

FILEMAKER, INC.

With three million units of software distributed, FileMaker, Inc. delivers desktop-to-Web productivity and creativity for customers ranging from SOHO to the enterprise. Its award-winning FileMaker Pro line of database software provides relational power, instant and custom Internet publishing and legendary ease-of-use. Its unique blend of power and ease has fueled significant growth: sales of FileMaker Pro for Windows have tripled in the past two years, complementing its long-time leadership among Macintosh database software. For additional information, visit the

FileMaker, Inc., Web site at http://www.filemaker.com.

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*Web publishing features are not available for FileMaker Pro 4.0 running under Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups.

*1998 FileMaker, Inc. All rights reserved. FileMaker is a registered trademark of FileMaker, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

 

 

 

 

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