Since early January I have been involved with migrating data and generating a new automated registration process for the Art Maui organization.

They had been using an old FileMaker Pro database on a PC to manage the event each year. Their original registration solution required a networked infrastructure of PCs (in this case aging and prone-to-crashing Apple iMacs) to be run by staffers all editing the FileMaker database directly.

I migrated all the FileMaker data into an existing MySQL database on their website hosting provider and developed custom views into their data to make the change easier. In addition, I moved the registration process online, developing custom code to allow artists to pre-register through the website long before the official day.

In addition, on registration day Art Maui staffers no longer needed to monitor a bunch of old networked PCs, but could manage everything from any laptop with wireless Internet.

These changes not only made their process more efficient and less error-prone, but ultimate saved them money in IT management costs!