FilmStar Database

FilmStar supports industry-standard database software
for managing coating designs and quality assurance.

Why you need the FilmStar Database

1. Quality-control departments can organize hundreds of thousands of spectra and select them according to type, customer, etc. Imagine the convenience in saving all QA data in one place. (One file to back up!)

2. Management can evaluate trends in coating performance, identify problem areas, and perform what-if analyses based on previous performance. Sales can supply prospects with actual spectra. It even helps you determine correct pricing.

3. Security! Password protection guarantees that no one can accidentally or maliciously 'improve' results?

4. Coating facilities with hundreds of designs can sort and retrieve designs according to user-definable criteria.

MEASURE is the
vehicle you need to
ride the QC Highway.

FilmStar includes the programming examples you need to utilize database technology in your coating facility. With database technology FilmStar becomes an important tool for managing optical coatings and meeting quality requirements.

YouTube Demo

Why you need the FilmStar Database Take advantage of popular business software to organize, select, sort and interpret spectral data! It's easier than you think (3:48)!

Spectra Database

User Privilege Dialog

Why FileMaker?

FileMaker provides means to store spectra and/or designs in a secure database environment. FileMaker is an industry-standard workgroup solution which easily connects to your company's enterprise database. Click here to learn how the database is integrated into FilmStar.

Excel users are encouraged to install the FileMaker 45 Day Free Trial and download two illustrative workbooks along with a BBAR database (sign on as Fred with password Fred or as Guest).

FM12_GetSpectrum.xlsm FM12_GetSpectra.xlsm Spectra_12.fmp12

FileMaker user-privileges can be password protected. Data can be stored directly in the database instead of in thousands of files. Examples for storing spectra (illustrated here) and coating designs are based on the following FileMaker advances:

FilmStar BASIC can run FileMaker scripts. Once you understand the included examples, you'll be amazed how simple and powerful this is. Measure a filter and the spectrum automatically appears in the database; it's that easy! FileMaker scripts can also be run by Excel VBA as in this important example.
FileMaker includes the ability to customize menu commands according to user name and password. This feature is essential in ensuring that users and browsers do not alter results or modify database structures.
FileMaker includes container fields which store data files as well as pictures. Thousands of spectra and pictures can be stored in a single database file. FileMaker Pro 12 added new support for saving PDF documents. FilmStar QA reports or coating data sheets can be reviewed and printed directly.
FileMaker is far easier to implement than databases such as Microsoft Access. FilmStar users have found that student interns have been able to adapt FTG-supplied sample databases to their particular requirements.

Companies with multiple users should contact FileMaker to discuss their optimum configuration.