Create • Support • Protect
Application Development
Keep your private data local. Use only the data you need from the outside world.
My primary development platform is Claris FileMaker, but the systems I build are not “FileMaker-only.” Modern FileMaker solutions can integrate with web services and APIs, generate web pages and portals, and connect to the tools your business already uses.
The goal is simple: replace spreadsheets, duplicated entry, and scattered information with a system that matches how your team actually works — and keeps working reliably over time.
What I build
Office automation and CRM
Custom systems to track clients, projects, documents, communications, and internal workflows. Designed to reduce repetitive work and prevent “lost-in-the-inbox” problems.
Field + iPad/iPhone workflows
Mobile-friendly systems for technicians and contractors, including iPad apps and workflows that keep data consistent when networks are unreliable.
Web portals and approvals
Customer portals and approval pages that publish the right project information securely, and make it easy for clients to approve proposals or change orders online.
Integrations that connect your system to the world
In older systems, plugins were often the only way to add features. Today, many of the most useful capabilities come from clean, well-scoped API integrations — which also makes them more portable and maintainable long-term.
- Email and calendars: Gmail and Google Calendar integration when useful
- Commerce and inventory: WooCommerce and Amazon Seller workflows
- Payments and operations: PayPal and related services where appropriate
- Web publishing: generate or populate customer-facing pages from FileMaker data
Integration does not mean “cloud-first.” Many clients prefer that core business data remains local and controlled. When outside services are used, they’re used deliberately and only where they add real value.
Examples and industries
I build and maintain systems across a range of small and mid-sized businesses. A few representative examples:
- Contractors: office + project management systems; field data capture; customer portals
- Law offices: CRM and matter-related workflows designed around real office processes
- Retail: iPad point-of-sale integrated with an existing inventory database
- E-commerce: integration with WooCommerce and Amazon Seller tools for inventory and operations
One popular pattern is a secure web page that shows project scope, costs, and status — and enables online approvals for projects and change orders. This reduces delays, prevents misunderstandings, and creates a clear record of client authorization.
How projects usually work
- Discovery: understand what you’re trying to accomplish and what’s currently getting in the way
- Build and iterate: deliver something usable early, then refine with real user feedback
- Integrate: connect to the services you actually use (only when it provides clear value)
- Support and maintenance: keep the system stable, secure, and recoverable over time
I often support the server and environment that the application runs on, especially when the system is business-critical.
Certifications and credentials
My name is Dean Ingram and I’ve worked in Apple-centric environments for over two decades, starting in hands-on support and systems administration before moving into custom application development. That background shapes how I build systems: they need to be practical, maintainable, and supportable in the real world.
Dean Ingram
- Application Developer for FileMaker Pro
- Application Developer for Claris Connect
- FileMaker Server Administrator
I maintain current certifications related to the Claris platform, including development, server administration, and AI-related training. Earlier certifications in Apple systems administration reflect long-term experience, even though the underlying product line has since evolved.
A current list of verified certifications and credentials is available publicly:
Start with a conversation
If you have a process that feels messy, repetitive, or error-prone, it’s often a good candidate for a custom system. You don’t need to have everything defined — we can start by clarifying the real problem and the practical options.