Updating contacts from a filemaker database

[JohnA5670]

Hi all

Looking for some general tips on the above.  We have a filemaker database of contacts, which is populated from a number of different sources.

We are trying to keep it in sync with Constant Contact.  This would be a lot easier to do if we could somehow post any new contact from filemaker to constant contact directly

I understand if we make our FM database public it is a lot easier to integrate it into another website but we don't wish to do this at this stage

Filemaker can export data in a number of different formats: text, xml, sylk etc so I was wondering if possible to create the sign up form on a webpage and to autofill using the exported information, so updating the contact list

I know bit of shot in dark but don't have a lot of experience with this

Many thanks for reading 

[Elijah_G]

Hi John,

In order to get your data from Filemaker to Constant Contact there are a couple of possible options:

If you are looking to automate the process, it would be possible if you have the ability to have an application developed to fetch information from your filemaker database, and then send that information to Constant Contact by using our API's. Alternatively you may be able to export your data from Filemaker to a Constant Contact compatible file format. For this option, the compatible formats are .csv, .xls, and .xlsx.

If you can export to one of these formats, you can load the exported file into Constant Contact by logging into your account and going to Contacts -> Add & Updated -> From a File or Spreadsheet. You can find more information about this process here: http://knowledgebase.constantcontact.com/articles/KnowledgeBase/5296-import-or-upload-a-file-of-cont...

And if you do have additional questions please feel free to reply in this thread!

Sincerely,

Elijah G.

Tier 2 Support

[Dedication_Tech]

Elijah,

I would really encourage your programmers to take a little time and put together an example FileMaker Pro file which shows how to do basic interactions with the API. Filemaker is the #1 selling database out there and a lot of developers like myself would love to provide better integration with CC. However, the barrier of each of us having to figure out the API and how make calls to CC and interpret the response in FM is a major issue.

A single sample file with examples of basic CC interactions would go a very long way to opening the door for FileMaker developers to integrating direct CC support. I know of other companies that have done exactly that have provided sample FileMaker files and it’s made a major difference in the degree to which their products and services are adopted and utilized by FM developers. Surely CC can invest a small amount of effort into getting an example file setup? If you google FileMaker and CC (or even look through these forums) you find many, many unanswered questions regarding FileMaker and CC integration…

Thanks,

Will

[Elijah_G]

Hi Will,

This is great feedback. I know that we don't presently have anyone on the API team that is particularly knowledgable in FileMaker Pro, but I will definitely bring this up to leadership for our API to see what it would take to get some resources and make this happen for our customers.

Sincerely,

[Dedication_Tech]

Hi Elijah,

The FileMaker DevCon was last week, but you could definitely get the word out once you have something via various FileMaker channels. Starting with FileMaker 13, FM’s Open URL command includes the option to do an HTTP POST which is what will be needed. Lots of people use HTTP POST it to do things like post XML credit card transactions so it’s not like people aren’t familiar with the basic concept. However, having some sample files and code that integrate FM fields with the XML structure (through calculations and scripts) that developers can copy and paste into their solutions would be great.

The basic functions I think should be demonstrated would be:

1. Add, Update or Remove Contacts
2. Add, Update or Remove Contact Lists
3. Manage bounced and unsubscribed contacts

For me personally, 1 and 3 would be more important than 2.

Will

Will Loving, President

Dedication Technologies, Inc.

[KarenO95]

Has anything been done with filemaker connection to constant contact API since this post? I note that it was dated 2012 and earlier. Are you currently aware of any code available as mentioned in related posts?

To me, what is at the core of this issue is learning a single API for a single solution is extremely time consuming. It would be nice to have sample code to make use of...

[David_B.]

Hello,

Our development team prioritizes requests like these by a variety of factors, including the number of customers requesting features. Unfortunately a 1st party integration with Filemaker isn't a priority based on that. Generally in these cases such an integration would be developed by either the manufacturer of the software you are looking to integrate with, a 3rd party developer making something publicly available, or developed on your own using both the software and Constant Contact's API.

We do have some existing libraries containing sample code (https://developer.constantcontact.com/libraries/libraries.html) which might be useful in developing something specific. I am not personally familiar with the Filemaker system, so I don't have any Filemaker specific sample code that I can give you.

Please let me know if you have any other questions!

Sincerely,
David B.
API Support Specialist

[Atomik_Pop]

Two more years have gone by. Any updates to integrating FileMaker and Constant Contact?

[Jimmy_D]

Hi @Atomik_Pop,

I have noted your request for an integration with Filemaker Database. At this time Constant Contact is not looking to make a first party integration with Filemaker. I would suggest to look in to a third party option, or look in to our API to develop your own integration.