Welcome to Ottomatic Essentials 2.0
We're excited to introduce Essentials 2.0, the next generation of FileMaker hosting, explicitly designed for small teams that want more control, better performance, and modern tools-all at the same affordable price.
If you're currently using Essentials 1.0 (Shared Hosting), this blog post will walk you through what’s changing, what’s new, and what to expect during the upgrade process.
Essentials 1.0 Comes to a Close
Essentials 1.0 was built on the FileMaker Shared Hosting Model that Claris discontinued after the release of FileMaker 14. Through special approval and a Site Bundle Agreement (SBA) license, Claris allowed us to reintroduce this model, bundling FileMaker Pro user licenses with hosting at an affordable per-user rate. While this kept costs low, it came with some trade-offs:
- No direct access to your backups
- Uploading or removing files required a support ticket
- Your FileMaker Server wasn’t visible in the Cloud Console
- No support for server plug-ins or advanced DevOps tools
For these reasons, we will no longer offer Essentials 1.0, and customers will be transitioned to Essentials 2.0.
What’s New in Essentials 2.0?
Essentials 2.0 preserves Essentials 1.0 simplicity and shared-hosting value while introducing dedicated Docker containers that provide enhanced performance and control in an isolated environment.
Essentials 2.0 provides you with more power, visibility, and control, without increasing costs or complexity.
OttoFMS Now Supported
One of the most important upgrades in Essentials 2.0 is full support for OttoFMS-our modern DevOps and automation engine for FileMaker Server.
With OttoFMS, you can:
- Automate deployments and scheduled scripts
- Trigger builds, releases, and rollbacks
- Integrate version control workflows
- Enable modern DevOps practices without needing admin console access
This change represents a significant upgrade for teams seeking to streamline their development and release cycles.
Improved Security and Speed
Our global network provider, Cloudflare, powers Essentials 2.0, providing:
- Faster page loads and snappier WebDirect performance
- Lower latency for faster FileMaker operation
- Encrypted access and improved privacy
- Better isolation from other customer environments
- Optimized global routing so your server is closer to you
Where Is It Hosted?
Essentials 2.0 is currently available in the following regions:
- 🇺🇸 Los Angeles (LAX)
- 🇺🇸 Newark (EWR)
- 🇺🇸 Chicago (ORD)
- 🇳🇱 Amsterdam (AMS)
We place your environment in a geographic region that provides optimal performance based on your location.
Your New Server Address
As part of the upgrade, your FileMaker Server’s domain will change:
- Old Format: yourname.ottomatic.cloud
- New Format: yourname.ottomaticessentials.cloud
This change helps us better protect your traffic and ensure your environment is isolated and secure.
What to Know Before You Move
A few things to keep in mind about Essentials 2.0:
- FileMaker Pro must use HTTPS Tunneling-based access. We'll help make sure this is set up correctly.
- XDBC connections (ODBC/JDBC) are not supported.
- Scheduled backups and advanced admin tasks still go through our support team.
- You won’t get direct Admin Console access, but you can make most changes in the Cloud Console.
What Do You Need to Do?
We’ll guide you through the migration without complication. Here's what will happen:
- We’ll schedule a time to move your files with you.
- You’ll get access to your new server in the Cloud Console.
- We’ll test that your connections are working correctly.
- You’ll start using Essentials 2.0 with more power and more control.
If you have any questions before or during the migration, our support team is available to assist you.
Ready to Upgrade?
We're thrilled to bring you onto a modern platform that makes your FileMaker experience faster, more secure, and more flexible.
If you're ready to schedule your upgrade to Essentials 2.0 now, open a support ticket or reach out directly through your existing support thread.
Let’s make your FileMaker experience better, together.
