Claris has revamped its iconic low-code platform, FileMaker, adding AI-powered features that enable natural language data search and processing, while maintaining its strong deployment flexibility and privacy safeguards for sensitive organisations.
Claris FileMaker has spent four decades doing one job unusually well: helping people build working business systems without traditional programming. First launched for the Macintosh in 1985, it has grown from a desktop database into a low-code platform that now spans cloud, mobile devices and the web. The pitch is straightforward. If an organisation wants to improve a process, it should not have to wait for a large software project or reshape its work to suit an off-the-shelf package.
That appeal has kept FileMaker relevant well beyond its original niche. According to Claris, the platform is used by more than 1 million active users worldwide and has been adopted by more than 50,000 organisations. It is designed for visual development, with drag-and-drop interfaces and reusable components that allow users to assemble applications for macOS, Windows, iPhone, iPad and browsers. In practice, that means the same data and workflow can be carried from office systems to field operations without building separate tools for each environment.
The company is now placing greater emphasis on artificial intelligence. Claris says FileMaker can work with AI tools and large language models to generate responses inside custom applications, search business data using natural language and turn databases into AI-ready data sources with limited coding. It also says the platform can use local large language models, which is important for organisations that need tighter control over sensitive information. Claris has also described features that let FileMaker extract meaning from PDFs, summarise documents and make content searchable without manual review or extra software.
That privacy angle matters because one of FileMaker’s strongest selling points has always been deployment flexibility. Claris says customers can run applications in the cloud or on premises, which gives public bodies, hospitals and other data-sensitive organisations a way to use modern tools without moving information outside their own environment. The company also points to Apple ownership, ISO certifications and a large developer community as part of its trust proposition. A 45-day trial is available, with pricing in Japan starting at 2,420 yen per user a month on annual billing.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
