Claris FileMaker
Upgrade From FileMaker 2023
FileMaker 2023 marked the switch to yearly naming. It's already two versions behind, and that gap matters.
FileMaker 2023 was the release that dropped the old numbered naming for a yearly scheme, and it's aged faster than most people expected as a result, precisely because that new cadence means annual releases with genuine new capability rather than occasional big jumps. Solutions on 2023 are missing improvements made in 2024 and 2025 releases around performance, security and platform integration, including refinements to Claris Studio-adjacent AI tooling and the Data API. We upgrade FileMaker 2023 solutions for businesses across the UK from our Bicester base, reviewing licensing, add-ons and scripts before anything moves. After 25 years of FileMaker work, we've learned that the newer yearly releases require closer attention to change logs, not less.
Features and benefits
What you get
Keep pace with yearly releases
FileMaker's annual release cadence means staying two versions behind adds up faster than it used to.
Licensing review included
Subscription and licensing terms have shifted since 2023. We check you're on the right plan before migrating.
Security patch currency
Move onto a version still receiving Claris security updates, rather than one quietly ageing out.
Performance and stability improvements
Later releases include meaningful under-the-bonnet improvements that 2023 doesn't have.
Add-on and script compatibility check
We verify any custom functions, plug-ins or scripted add-ons work correctly on the newer version.
Tested, low-risk migration
Everything is proven on a test copy first, so your live solution stays untouched until we're confident.
Expert insight
Why the yearly naming scheme changes the maths
When FileMaker moved to yearly version names starting with FileMaker 2023, it also shifted to a genuine yearly release cadence, meaning meaningful new features arrive every year rather than every few years. That's good for the platform, but it means falling two versions behind now represents a bigger practical gap than it used to under the old numbering.
Solutions still on FileMaker 2023 are missing improvements made across two subsequent annual releases, in areas including performance, security patching and platform integration. None of that is dramatic on its own, but it accumulates, and eventually something a client, supplier or IT policy requires simply isn't there.
Migrating off FileMaker 2023 is generally straightforward from a technical standpoint, since the underlying architecture hasn't changed dramatically. The real work is checking licensing terms and any add-ons or plug-ins against the current release.
How we do it
Six steps to implementation
- 01
Licensing check
We confirm your current licensing and subscription status before planning the upgrade path.
- 02
Solution audit
We review scripts, custom functions and any third-party add-ons for compatibility with the target version.
- 03
Test environment build
We migrate a copy of your solution to a current version for thorough testing.
- 04
Functional and performance testing
We check that every core workflow performs correctly, and ideally better, on the newer release.
- 05
Server and hosting update
We bring your hosting environment up to the current supported FileMaker Server version.
- 06
Go-live and follow-up
We manage cutover and remain available afterwards to handle anything that needs fine-tuning.
25+
Years of FileMaker upgrade work
100+
Solutions migrated
UK-wide
Businesses supported
Questions
Frequently asked
Why does being two versions behind matter so much?+
The yearly release cadence Claris now runs means two versions behind represents two full years of accumulated security patches and performance improvements you're missing out on. None of that shows up as an obvious problem day to day, until a client, supplier or IT policy specifically requires something the older version doesn't have. Falling further behind only widens that gap and makes the eventual catch-up bigger and riskier. A structured upgrade now is a considerably smaller job than leaving it another year or two.
Has our licensing changed since FileMaker 2023?+
Possibly. Claris has adjusted subscription and licensing terms since the FileMaker 2023 release, and confirming your current status is one of the first things we check as part of any upgrade. Getting this wrong can mean paying for the wrong plan or missing entitlements you're actually due. We handle that review as standard, so there are no licensing surprises partway through the project. It's a small step that saves a lot of confusion later.
Will our plug-ins still work?+
Most do, but we verify each one individually rather than assuming, since plug-in compatibility can vary considerably between FileMaker releases. Some older plug-ins stop being maintained by their developers entirely, which is exactly the sort of thing we catch during the compatibility audit before migration. Where a plug-in genuinely won't work on the newer version, we'll identify alternatives or native replacements where they exist. Nothing gets left to chance on your live system.
Is this a bigger job than upgrading from FileMaker 19?+
Usually smaller, since the underlying architecture in FileMaker 2023 is considerably closer to current releases than older numbered versions were. That means testing tends to go faster and there's less scripted logic likely to behave differently on the newer engine. It's still worth doing properly rather than rushing, since even a smaller upgrade deserves proper testing on a copy first. We'll give you an honest estimate once we've reviewed your specific solution.
Do you handle this for businesses outside Bicester?+
Yes, upgrading from FileMaker 2023 is one of our most common requests from clients right across the UK, not just those local to Oxfordshire. The work is carried out remotely in almost every case, using test environments and secure server access. Being based in Bicester is simply where our team happens to sit, not a limit on who we work with. Wherever you're based, the same tested upgrade process applies.