About… Studio Manager
Geetings! Janet Tokerud here. I am the founder and architect of Studio Manager and this is our Studio Manager product site. We upgraded our old static website to 21st century technology.
That meant making it a blog-based WordPress site now using the ultra cool Thesis theme, so good that it qualifies as a product itself.
You can see more about our whole company at Tokerud’s Technology Treats where we are also blogging about technology compliments of WordPress. Kathy Scout Tomyris and Sally Shannon are assisting me in this undertaking.
ON THIS PAGE
Requirements
Studio Manager Rated Best
Works on Windows
Customizing
Deals on FileMaker
Requirements
You’ll need FileMaker Pro 10 or 11 to Run Studio Manager 11.
On the Mac side, the slowest computer recommended for running Studio Manager is a dual-core iMac or Mac Mini. Any faster machine will also work. FileMaker Pro 11 doesn’t require the dual-core processor, but FileMaker Pro 12 probably will. If you are using a PC, then go for a 2ghz or faster model, avoiding the budget-conscious Celeron processor. With FileMaker 10 & 11, the speed of the server makes a significant difference (see below). The speed of your client machines is also a key determinant of the speed you’ll get with Studio Manager.
Make sure anyone who does lots of reporting in Studio Manager has a fairly fast machine.
Studio Manager Rated Best
Creative Business surveyed creative services firms regarding business software and published the results in their May/June 2003 issue. Studio Manager was rated highest by users in the category: integrated management programs. According to Creative Business users liked it because of: “Simplicity.” and “Reasonable pricing.” “FileMaker base allows endless customization.” “Very versatile. Lets me configure things my way.” “Has all the tools needed.”
Works on Windows
Knock on wood, so far we haven’t gotten a single complaint from a PC user. Expect Studio Manager to work as well on your PC as it does on a Mac!
We are the first to admit that Studio Manager was built first for the Mac. But, FileMaker, Inc, has made the best cross-platform database around and we’ve carefully designed the product for cross-platform use. With the tiniest of exceptions, every feature of Studio Manager runs cross-platform.
Because there are small differences in font metrics between platforms, you may run into a few minor font-wrap issues on some layouts (which you can easily correct) but the functionality is flawless.
Customizing
We are available to help you customize Studio Manager at our regular consulting rates. Because we built it, we are really good at changing it , but don’t feel for a minute that you are locked into working with us.
As a Studio Manager customer, you have the ability to change anything in the product on your own or using a local FileMaker consultant of your choice. And, we are still very happy to help you or your favorite consultant if you get stuck or have a question.
We have a program that certifies qualified FileMaker Pro consultants worldwide. And there’s more Studio Manager knowledge tucked away in the minds of other consultants and customers who have done major customizations that we don’t yet know about. See our Consultants page for more details.
Deals on FileMaker
If you don’t already own copies of FileMaker Pro or you need to upgrade to a newer version, the expense can be significant – or not! Our advice. Call FileMaker, Inc. at 408 987-7000. If you are inquiring about volume licenses (10 or more), they’ve got an 800 number for that: 800 725-2747. They have volume discounts and sometimes special offers. Then shop around!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Janet, I wonder if you can help me. I had a hard drive crash and am trying to get Studio Manager running again but when I try to open it I get a window asking for a user name and password. I don’t remember having to do this before. I’ve tried all my usual names and passwords but I can’t get in. Do you have any suggestions? I hate to ask but I use Studio Manager every day and I’m starting to panic.
No problem. I’ll email you.
Hi,
We’ve been using StudioManager since 2002 or so, and I just came to your site to see if it was upgradeable. I’m glad it is, but really I’m writing because I’m impressed with this site and the friendly tone of the whole thing. Nice work!
Hi Janet,
I just came across SM since, as one of the owners, I’ve been assigned a mission in my studio, that is to make this office grow as far as it gets, and I think SM can do a great job for us. We are spanish and were just wondering if there is such an spanish language version. I haven’t seen this on the web.
In any case, my next question comes along: Is SM so customizable that we can be able to edit each and every text-box, frame, menu, etc. to make a translation of my own?
Thanks a lot and Happy New Year!
Hi Janet, me again.
You can think the mail address is a fake, but it isn’t. Is only that I don’t want yet the staff to see we are even thinking of implementing this. As you may already know things are not easy this days around here and we don’t want anybody starting to think this is part of a re-structuring or firing policy, wich is not actually. Just avoiding inneccesary panic.
)
Hi Juan,
Thanks for writing. No we are too small to do different language implementations. You would need to do your own changes to field labels would be the main thing and report headings. The data you enter could be Spanish as far as I know. Another client from Mexico did do what you are suggesting and I did not have complaints. However, keep in mind that your custom version would not upgrade with your changes. I advise my customers who do need to do customization extensively to plan to keep the current version for about 5 years before upgrading so that the value of the new upgrades I add eventually exceed the cost of re-doing your language changes. You can copy and paste from your custom version to a new version but it’s still a lot of work. However, keep in mind that you may be able to keep a lot of Studio Manager stock in English if some of you do speak English like you and just make the most basic screens like the timesheet in Spanish. Best, Janet