FileMaker Server 17 perpetual license

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy a FileMaker Server 17 perpetual license (or possibly 18) for professional use in a small team (non-subscription).

:white_check_mark: Must be a perpetual (non-subscription) license
:white_check_mark: Must be transferrable via Claris (I'm ready to follow the procedure)
:white_check_mark: I'm serious, responsive and will pay securely via your preferred method (PayPal, TransferWise, etc.)

If you have one available or know someone who does, please DM me or comment below.

Thanks in advance :folded_hands:

Sorry I am not looking to sell a license but I am curious about the ability to transfer a perpetual license. Can you talk more about the procedure? Is there a webpage you can link to or can you describe how to lean more about it?

Thank you for your enquiery. I will be able to tell you more once I have purchased an FM17 or FM18 server licence.

You can buy a current license of FileMaker (Server and min. 5 clients) from Claris and other sources. Server without clients is not available. Perceptual and subscription.
The current version is 2024 (aka 21), maybe there is a downgrade available to the previous version - but not 17
17 (and up to 19.6) are no longer supported. Keep in mind that versions prior to 19.6 have security problems

If a (legal) license transfer is possible: Ask Claris

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Hello @tdl73 , welcome to our Community !

Claris does not sell FMS 17 or 18 anymore, you only chance to buy one of these is to find a dealer that would have one of these in stock. Beware no to buy from someone who would sell you a licence you can't transfer to you.

I can get why you want a perpetual licence, but why 17 or 18 ? You do not specify your OS, but if the server is MacOS, current version of MacOS will not be able to run these old versions. The same is true about Filemaker PRO 17 or 18. Even Windows may not be able to run 17 or 18. o

On top of that FMS 17 or 18 will not be able to serve newer version of PRO.

Did you have a look at Claris site about FMS 17/18 requirements in terms of hosting and serving ?

HTH

Thank you very much for your reply.

I currently have Filemaker Pro 17 five licences. The perpetual licence was discontinued with the FM18 . I checked with Claris at the time.

I don't want to buy an annual licence, and if there are perpetual licences higher than Filemaker Pro 17 associated with a Filemaker Server licence, I might be interested, depending on the price.

Kind regards,

You can buy a perpetual license for FileMaker 2024 (or soon 2025) and get 5 users + server.

Basically with current license model, you get as many servers as you need as you only pay for users.

There is no need to buy version 17 or 18 anymore.

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" (…) The perpetual licence was discontinued with the FM18 (…) " This statement is incorrect! We sell this every day.

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Perpetual licences, FMP 21 (= current version, as of today), incl. min. 3 Server, Maintenance for 12 months: starting with 5 users = € 666 x 5 = € 3.330 Claris Price)

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Thank you, that was the reason why I didn't subscribe to Claris updates from version 17 onwards.

I don't want to spend 3,300 € on a 5-user licence.

I would just like to purchase a FileMaker Server FM17 licence so that 5 users can connect to a server from the web and nothing else, or purchase a FileMaker Server licence and 5 licences, or use my 5 FileMaker 17 Pro Advance licences.

I am open to considering a less expensive solution if one exists.

But once again, like many others, I was very disappointed with Claris' methods when they acquired FileMaker. A FileMaker technician who was with me at the time told me not to update under any circumstances.

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I think there is a misunderstanding here.

A license to FileMaker Server, be it perpetual or annual, includes all software: FileMaker Server; FileMaker Pro; FileMaker Go.

A license allows you to install up to three copies of FileMaker Server. This allows you to create separate environment servers, such as development, testing and production servers.

Pricing depends on the number of connections (users) to the server via clients, the clients being FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go and WebDirect.

Maintenance automatically comes with the purchase of FileMaker Server. It is the length of time you are entitled to updates. Server comes with a minimum of one year of maintenance. Maintenance can be extended up to three years upon purchase. Maintenance is renewable though not mandatory at the end of its contract period. A perpetual license of server is still usable after the expiry of maintenance.

As for the technician who gave you his / her advice in 2018 or 2019, you were misinformed. Claris acquired Nashoba, the then owner of FileMaker, in 1988. Claris never abandoned perpetual licenses. Claris changed its name to FileMaker in 1998, then back to Claris in 2019.

Lastly… pricing. Pricing depends on your location. Here are examples: Canada - CA$3495; France - 2830 €; UK - £2120; Germany - 3368 €; USA - US$2620. Note that some prices include taxes, others not.

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| bdbd
June 26 |

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I think there is a misunderstanding here.

A license to FileMaker Server, be it perpetual or annual, includes all software: FileMaker Server; FileMaker Pro; FileMaker Go.

√ correct

A license allows you to install up to three copies of FileMaker Server. This allows you to create separate environment servers, such as development, testing and production servers.

√ correct

Pricing depends on the number of connections (users) to the server via clients, the clients being FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Go and WebDirect.

√ correct

Maintenance automatically comes with the purchase of FileMaker Server. It is the length of time you are entitled to updates. Server comes with a minimum of one year of maintenance. Maintenance can be extended up to three years upon purchase. Maintenance is renewable though not mandatory at the end of its contract period. A perpetual license of server is still usable after the expiry of maintenance.

Maintenance can be extended up to three five years upon purchase

As for the technician who gave you his / her advice in 2018 or 2019, you were misinformed. Claris acquired Nashoba, the then owner of FileMaker, in 1988. Claris never abandoned perpetual licenses. Claris changed its name to FileMaker in 1998, then back to Claris in 2019.

√ correct

Lastly… pricing. Pricing depends on your location. Here are examples: Canada - CA$3495; France - 2830 €; UK - £2120; Germany - 3368 €; USA - US$2620. Note that some prices include taxes, others not.

√ Correct

  • it is not possible to order elsewhere without living in this area / country
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Only three year on the Claris web store… at least in Canada. As a Claris Partner, yes, I can sell a license with up to five years maintenance.

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As far as I can see, the site is unfortunately still confusing. Connecting from Canada, clicking on Pricing displays:

Where are perpetual licensing prices ? You need to click on Buy, then select On Premise and click Perpetual:

If you need 6 users just click on +, no need to go to 10 !

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Hello * Does this mean that if I purchase a 5-user licence + an FM17 OR 18 server licence, it will have to be purchased in France?

  • Should I give up on the idea of finding an FM17 or 18 licence and go back to a perpetual FILEMAKER 21 licence?

I would give up the idea with FM17 for professional usage.

  • FM17 is too old, insecure
  • current versions can't connect to 17 (if You need a new computer for whatever reason, maybe You have to upgrade all licenses because new FM can't connect anymore (on macOS this is real)
  • pricing (professional environment) is not so bad (compared to other 'business systems')

btw. Klemens (FMM) is the one who knows everything about licensing

I would give up the idea with FM17 for professional usage.

Arguments against a version prior to V21:

  • Older versions may not yet have a solution for known security issues.
  • You cannot legally purchase versions older than V21. All licenses are personalized – there are no “used” licenses without a license transfer authorization from CLARIS
  • Old versions are only certified to work with older operating systems: Older operating systems are a security risk
  • only V20 and V21 are supported by Claris. This means also the you can not buy additional licenses for an outdated version if you need more licenses

Why use an older version than the current one? I haven't found a reason yet!

Does this mean that if I purchase a 5-user licence + an FM17 OR 18 server licence, it will have to be purchased in France?

Normally, Claris prevents purchases for customers who do not operate in the same economic area: Europe is one of these economic areas in which purchases can naturally be made in France for eg. Germany or in Italy for Belgium.
What is not possible is to purchase a license in the USA or Japan for eg. Italie. (It may be possible using secret tricks, but CLARIS tries to detect and prevent this as far as possible).

Should I give up on the idea of finding an FM17 or 18 licence and go back to a perpetual FILEMAKER 21 licence?

Yes. In my opinion, it would be very helpful if we knew which country you live/work in, as this would make it easier to advise you. You could also give me a call...