Good software is a bit like good plumbing: when it's working, nobody thinks about it. Our job is to keep it that way.
Flare Software has supported FileMaker systems since 1998 — our own builds and plenty we've adopted along the way. We're a Claris Partner, we're two actual humans in Weston-super-Mare, and when you ring us you get one of the people who knows your system, not a ticket number and a hold-music playlist.
What FileMaker support looks like with us
No rigid tiers, no gold-silver-bronze nonsense. Support is whatever your system needs:
- Fixing things — when something breaks or behaves oddly, we find the cause and fix it properly. Root causes, not sticking plasters.
- Small changes — a new field here, a tweaked report there. Systems should evolve with the business, and small changes shouldn't require a formal project.
- Questions answered — "can FileMaker do X?" Ring us. The answer is usually yes, followed by a short conversation about the best way.
- A watchful eye — we spot the slow creep of problems (ballooning file sizes, sluggish scripts, ageing server software) before they become emergencies.
Support is billed monthly, and you can stop anytime. Most clients pay for the work actually done; others prefer a fixed monthly fee that keeps us on call whether they need us that month or not. We'll suggest whichever suits how you work. Details on our how we charge page.
FileMaker Server care
FileMaker Server is the quiet workhorse that hosts your database, runs your backups and keeps everyone connected. It's also the thing most businesses forget exists until it stops.
We look after servers properly: backup schedules that actually run (and restores that actually work — an untested backup is a hope, not a plan), security certificates renewed before they expire, updates applied at sensible times, and performance monitored so slowdowns get caught early. Whether your server lives in your office or in the cloud, we'll keep it fed and watered.
Licensing advice without the headache
Claris licensing has options — user counts, subscription types, server hosting — and choosing badly means paying for seats you don't use or scrambling for ones you do.
As a Claris Partner we offer reseller-style guidance: we'll look at how many people genuinely use your system and how, then recommend the sensible licence for your situation. Not the biggest one. The right one. We've steered clients of every size through this, from sole traders to firms with over a hundred staff.
Remote support: help in minutes, not days
Most support doesn't need anyone in a car. Via TeamViewer or Zoom we can see your screen, share ours, and usually sort the problem while you watch — often within minutes of your call. You get to see exactly what we did, which beats "it's fixed now" as an explanation.
We support clients across Bristol, the South West, the whole UK and — thanks to the miracle of the internet — worldwide. For the rare jobs that genuinely benefit from a visit, we're near Bristol and happy to travel.
Training: your team, confident with their own system
The best system in the world underperforms if people only use a tenth of it. We offer training that's practical and mercifully free of jargon — built around your system and your daily work, not generic screenshots.
That might be an hour on Zoom for a new starter, a refresher when we add a feature, or deeper sessions for the person who's become your unofficial "FileMaker whisperer". Confident users file fewer support calls, which suits everyone.
And if support conversations reveal a bigger appetite — a system that needs real improvement, or one that should be talking to your accounts package — our FileMaker consultants and API integrations pages cover the next steps.
FAQ
Do you support systems you didn't build?
Yes, regularly. We'll have a look at the system first so we understand what we're taking on, then support it as attentively as our own work.
Do we have to sign a support contract?
No. We invoice monthly for the work we've done, and you can stop whenever you like. We'd rather keep your business by being useful than by having your signature.
How quickly do you respond?
We're a two-person firm, which cuts both ways: no call centre, but also no bureaucracy. Urgent problems get urgent attention — remote tools mean we're usually looking at your system within minutes rather than days. Formal response times are agreed with each client to suit their needs and are set out in their support agreement — typically four working hours for urgent issues.
Can you help us choose or renew FileMaker licences?
Yes — that's the reseller-style guidance above. Tell us your user count and how people connect, and we'll recommend the most economical sensible option.
Our FileMaker version is ancient. Is that a support problem?
It will be eventually — old versions stop being supported by Claris and stop cooperating with new operating systems. We handle version upgrades regularly; see our consultants page for how we manage them safely.
Put your system in safe hands
Whether it's a nagging fault, a licensing muddle or just the reassurance of having someone to call, start with a free, no-obligation chat.
Call 0330 113 0958 or email info@flaresoftware.co.uk. Flare Software, The Hive, 6 Beaufighter Road, Weston-super-Mare BS24 8EE.