Introduction
Every week, Chen Solutions gets calls from businesses considering a costly migration from FileMaker to Salesforce or other cloud platforms. But here's what we've learned after modernizing hundreds of FileMaker databases: the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
The Real Cost of Platform Migration
When Chen Solutions conducts our Free FileMaker Modernization Audit, we often find that companies are quoted $50,000-$200,000+ for Salesforce implementations. But what they don't tell you:
- 6-18 months of business disruption
- Extensive retraining for your entire team
- Loss of custom workflows built over years
- Ongoing monthly fees that compound over time
- Complex integrations that may never work quite right
The Chen Solutions Alternative: Modernize, Don't Replace
Instead of ripping out your FileMaker investment, Chen Solutions adds modern capabilities:
AI-Powered Automation:
- Document parsing that extracts data automatically
- Natural language search across your entire database
- Smart data entry assistance that learns your patterns
Web Integration Without Migration:
- Customer portals connected to your FileMaker data
- Mobile-friendly interfaces for field staff
- Real-time dashboards for leadership
Third-Party Connections:
- Email systems that populate FileMaker automatically
- Stripe payments flowing directly to your database
- Slack notifications for priority items
Real Chen Solutions Results
One of our legal clients was quoted $180,000 for Salesforce implementation. Chen Solutions delivered:
- AI case intake automation: $15,000
- Client portal integration: $12,000
- Document parsing system: $18,000
- Total investment: $45,000 vs. $180,000 Salesforce quote
- Time to value: 8 weeks vs. 12+ months
- Zero business disruption
When Chen Solutions Recommends Keeping FileMaker
- Your team knows the system inside and out
- You have years of customized workflows
- Your data structure works for your business
- You want predictable, one-time costs vs. monthly fees
- You need rapid implementation (weeks, not months)
The Chen Solutions Process
- Free 30-Minute Modernization Audit - We assess your current system
- 2-Week AI Feasibility Sprint - We prove ROI with a working prototype
- Pilot Implementation - We deliver measurable results quickly
- Full Rollout - We scale what works across your organization
Conclusion
Your FileMaker database represents years of business knowledge and refined processes. Chen Solutions helps you build on that foundation instead of starting over. Ready to see how Chen Solutions can modernize your FileMaker without the migration headache?