New AI-Native ERP Platform SchallOS Unveiled: Focus on AI and Migration of Existing FileMaker Solutions

SchallOS and gFM-NEXT: How Artificial Intelligence, Semantic Knowledge Layers, and Modern Web Technologies Enable the Next Generation of Business Applications

Digitalization has transformed nearly every area of business in recent years. At the same time, many companies face a problem: Their existing business applications often contain knowledge, processes, and customizations that have evolved over decades--elements that cannot simply be replaced by off-the-shelf software.

This is precisely where the SchallOS project comes in. What originally began as a further development of the gFM-Business ERP solution is increasingly evolving into a standalone platform for the next generation of business applications. The goal is to preserve existing knowledge while leveraging modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, semantic knowledge layers, PostgreSQL, and browser-based development tools.

With the planned release of gFM-Business 9 and the new SchallOS development platform, an approach is emerging that deliberately differs from traditional software development.

Why Many Companies Face a Difficult Decision

Many companies rely on applications that have evolved over the course of years or even decades. They contain not only data but often also countless business rules, workflows, and customizations.

However, the technical foundation of such systems ages over time. Companies are then frequently faced with an unpleasant choice: either they stick with older technology or they essentially start from scratch and develop their solution entirely from the ground up.

Both options entail costs, risks, and often the loss of valuable knowledge.

The idea behind SchallOS therefore takes a different approach. Instead of replacing existing applications, the goal is to understand and analyze them so they can be gradually migrated to a modern architecture.

gFM-Business 9 as a Bridge to the Next Generation of Platforms

The upcoming version of the FileMaker-based gFM-Business 9 ERP software, scheduled for release in September, plays a central role in this process.

The new version not only includes further functional improvements but also, for the first time, a migration wizard that lays the groundwork for the eventual transition to SchallOS.

Tables, fields, layouts, scripts, and other components of existing solutions can be analyzed and prepared for migration. This creates a direct connection between existing applications and the new generation of platforms.

For companies, this means significantly greater investment security. Existing solutions remain usable, while at the same time creating a roadmap for the coming years.

The Real Innovation Lies in the Development

While ERP systems are often the focus of attention, the developer of SchallOS sees the real innovation elsewhere.

"Most discussions about AI revolve around chatbots, text, or images. For developers, however, the real revolution lies in software architecture," explains Markus Schall, developer of gFM-Business and initiator of the project.

After more than thirty years of development experience with FileMaker, he became convinced that artificial intelligence can not only accelerate existing development processes but also enable an entirely new type of software development.

The goal is not to replace developers. Rather, artificial intelligence is intended to harness the expertise built up over decades and significantly simplify technical implementation.

Function Containers Instead of Thousands of Individual Objects

A central concept of SchallOS is what are known as function containers.

Traditional business applications often consist of a multitude of individual objects, scripts, and technical dependencies. With every expansion, the complexity increases.

Function containers take a different approach. A navigation bar, a toolbar, a search function, or even an entire business module can be implemented as a standalone component. In layout mode, such a container appears as a single object. Internally, however, it can contain extensive logic, data access, and user interfaces.

This results in a significantly clearer architecture. At the same time, reusability is increased, and the foundation is laid for deeper AI integration.

Semantic Knowledge Layers as the Foundation for AI

Another key focus is on the so-called semantic knowledge layer. Here, the platform not only manages technical structures but also understands their business meaning.

As a result, a field is not merely a name. The platform knows what role the field plays within a business process, what its significance is, and how it relates to other components.

This additional layer of knowledge opens up numerous possibilities. Translations can be automated. Documentation can be created and maintained more easily. AI systems can understand business processes rather than merely analyzing program code.

This creates significant potential, particularly for international applications.

Browser-Based Development with a Modern Layout Mode

A layout mode is also one of the core components of SchallOS. The team made a conscious effort to preserve the strengths of classic rapid development systems while leveraging modern web technologies.

Grids, guides, magnetic alignment, and precise object positioning are just as much a part of the system as modern component management, layout history, and container technologies.

In addition, numerous concepts have been reimagined. For example, field labels can be a direct part of a field object. Dynamic content can be integrated directly into objects via calculations and SQL queries. This is intended to eliminate the need for many traditional workarounds in the future.

Modern Architecture with PostgreSQL and IndexedDB

Technically, SchallOS is based on a multi-tier architecture.

IndexedDB is used as a browser-based storage technology for local applications. PostgreSQL is used for network operations and multi-user environments.

This is complemented by a so-called "committed-first" architecture, which creates a clear single source of truth within the platform and is designed to ensure consistent data states.

This combination enables flexible deployment options. Single-user applications, network operations, server installations, and SaaS solutions can all be built on the same technical foundation.

A Platform for the FileMaker Community

The first public version of SchallOS is primarily intended for FileMaker developers.

Many developers have solutions that have evolved over the years and hold significant economic value. SchallOS aims to provide a way to transfer this knowledge to modern technologies without having to abandon existing investments.

The platform is explicitly not intended to be an alternative to FileMaker. Rather, it aims to bridge the gap between proven development approaches and the possibilities of modern AI-powered software development.

Early-Bird Phase Extended Through July 31

The early-bird phase for gFM-Business 9, gFM-NEXT, and SchallOS has been extended through July 31, 2026.

Until that date, interested parties will receive a 20 percent discount on new licenses and planned upgrades. This promotion applies to both new customers and existing users.

More information about SchallOS and gFM-NEXT:
gFM-NEXT on SchallOS combines FileMaker, runtimes, AI, and modern web technologies

With gFM-Business 9 and SchallOS, a platform is currently being developed that goes far beyond a traditional ERP system. The combination of semantic knowledge layers, function containers, artificial intelligence, and modern web architecture is intended to lay the foundation for a new generation of business applications.

The focus here is not on replacing existing solutions. The actual goal is to carry knowledge built up over decades into the future and to offer companies a way to gradually migrate their applications to modern technologies without losing their established processes and experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

* What exactly is SchallOS, and how does the platform differ from traditional ERP systems?
SchallOS is not a traditional ERP application, but rather a development platform for the next generation of business applications. While traditional ERP systems primarily provide off-the-shelf functions, SchallOS takes a significantly broader approach. The platform combines modern web technologies, artificial intelligence, semantic knowledge layers, and a new container architecture. The goal is not only to map data and processes but also to make the knowledge behind an application usable. This results in a platform that can be expanded and modernized much more flexibly in the long term than many traditional systems.

* Why was SchallOS developed in the first place, even though there are already numerous ERP systems on the market?
The motivation behind SchallOS is not to develop yet another ERP system. Rather, the platform arose from the observation that many companies have built up valuable solutions over the course of years or decades that are based on older technologies. These applications often contain a wealth of domain expertise and custom-developed processes. At the same time, technical requirements are constantly changing. SchallOS is designed to provide a way to migrate existing knowledge and solutions to modern technologies without having to rebuild everything from scratch.

* Why is SchallOS aimed specifically at FileMaker developers?
Many FileMaker developers have solutions that have evolved over many years and often form the core of a company's operations. These applications frequently contain thousands of fields, numerous business processes, and customizations. SchallOS was developed from the outset with the goal of protecting these investments. Instead of forcing developers to completely rewrite their applications, the platform is designed to help gradually migrate existing solutions to a modern architecture. This creates a path forward for existing systems.

* What does the semantic knowledge layer specifically mean for developers and companies?
The semantic knowledge layer is one of the most important concepts in SchallOS. It stores not only technical structures but also their business meaning. As a result, a field is no longer viewed merely as a technical object, but as a component of a specific business process. This additional information enables automatic translations, better documentation, smarter search functions, and significantly deeper AI integration. For companies, this means better maintainability and greater future-proofing of their applications in the long term.

* How does the migration of existing FileMaker solutions work?
The migration takes place in stages rather than through a radical replacement of the existing application. gFM-Business 9 introduces, for the first time, a migration wizard capable of analyzing tables, fields, layouts, scripts, and other components. The goal is to retain the structure of an application as much as possible and adapt it for use with the new architecture. In the long term, the platform should not only be able to import data but also understand the business context of existing solutions.

* Does a migrated application have to look completely different after the transition?
No. One of the most important development goals is to keep existing applications as familiar as possible. Users should be able to continue using their usual workflows. If desired, the user interface can remain virtually identical while the technical foundation is modernized. This significantly reduces training efforts and migration costs. At the same time, new features can be added incrementally without requiring users to relearn the entire application.

* What role does artificial intelligence play within SchallOS?
In SchallOS, artificial intelligence is not viewed as a separate add-on module, but rather as an integral part of the architecture. AI supports development, documentation, migration, and, later on, the expansion of applications. The combination of AI and documented domain expertise is particularly important here. The platform is not intended to simply generate arbitrary code, but rather to operate based on real business processes and existing structures. This results in significantly more precise and practical outcomes.

* What are function containers, and why are they considered so important?
Function containers form the core of the new architecture. They make it possible to encapsulate extensive functions into clearly defined components. A navigation bar, a dashboard, a search function, or even an entire module can be implemented as a function container. This significantly reduces the number of individual objects. At the same time, maintainability is improved, and the foundation for AI-supported development is laid. In the long term, function containers are intended to play a role similar to that of modules or components in modern software architectures.

* What advantages does SchallOS offer over a completely new development?
A completely new development often means that knowledge built up over many years must be remodeled. Processes must be reanalyzed, user interfaces redesigned, and business rules reimplemented. SchallOS takes a different approach. Existing investments are preserved while being migrated to modern technologies. This allows companies to reduce their development costs while benefiting from new capabilities such as AI, semantic knowledge layers, and flexible deployment models.

* What is the long-term vision for SchallOS?
In the long term, SchallOS is intended to be much more than a development platform. The goal is an environment that connects knowledge, business processes, and technical structures. Existing applications should not only be migrated but also understood. AI systems should be able to support development, maintenance, and expansion. At the same time, companies should retain the freedom to operate their solutions locally, on a network, or as a SaaS application. The platform is thus intended to bridge the gap between expertise built up over decades and the technologies of the coming years.

gofilemaker.de - MSITS
Hackenweg 97
26127 Oldenburg
Germany

https://gofilemaker.com
Mr. Markus Schall
+49 (0) 4 41-30 43 76 40
info@gofilemaker.de

Development of customizable ERP software with CRM, invoicing, and inventory management for Apple Mac, Windows, and iOS based on the Claris FileMaker platform. Development and distribution of database systems, ERP software, and inventory management systems based on the FileMaker platform. Experience with FileMaker databases since 1994; winner of the 2011 FMM Award, presented by FileMaker Magazine.

The customizable gFM-Business ERP software includes online store interfaces for WooCommerce, Shopware, Gambio, and Modified online stores and can also be operated with multiple online stores simultaneously. The interface enables the automatic import of store orders and direct processing within the inventory management and invoicing systems. The integrated cash book, complete with a transaction list and journal, allows for export in DATEV format. The gFM-Business enterprise software includes many additional modules that simplify day-to-day business operations.

As ERP software based on the FileMaker platform, gFM-Business can be customized and extended by users using FileMaker Pro. FileMaker is a low-code platform that allows customizations and extensions to be implemented quickly and in real time.

This release was published on openPR.