Key in for greater productivity, creativity. (new products).

Getting hooked on Filemaker is easy. After all, the database software can be used by districts in any number of ways. And even a system crash doesn't mean re-keying any information, since it's automatically saved.

Assistive Technologist Susan Riden of Clovis (N.M.) Public Schools has been using the latest version, FileMaker Pro 6, since the beginning of this school year and the software itself for more than a decade. "It is a vital part of our everyday work," she says. More than 30 separate databases currently nm the district's Special Education Web Program, allowing teachers to keep track of students and what they're learning. Clovis also uses the software to record lunch counts, work orders and warehouse supplies. Riden adds that the databases are also tied into e-mail for the district.

Another seasoned user is Will Lucey, assistant principal and curriculum resource for North Star Academy, a magnet school in Redwood City, Calif. The school, for gifted students in grades 3-8, built a database of student interests to help in planning courses and matching students to existing courses.

One new feature in FileMaker Pro 6 is the ability to easily import large numbers of images from a folder into a database. In the Mac OS X version, users can even capture digital images and image-data directly from cameras.

With integrated XML import and export, users can now integrate and exchange data with many applications, without complex converting of data between formats.

To jumpstart creative solutions that benefit from data exchange and application integration, a new Web site has been created, www.filemaker.com/xml.

Version 6 also offers 20 new templates, some designed for education. Faculty Staff, for example, can help maintain data such as hire date, salary, department and grade. Also available are templates for field trips, student records and general administrative purposes.

In addition, FileMaker has unveiled a new professional training series for advanced users to optimize FileMaker Pro. Customizable comes may be held on-site or at a training facility.

CIRCLE #510 FOR INFORMATION