AppWorks
AppWorks is a boutique Portland-based custom software firm specializing in Claris FileMaker development, AWS-backed FileMaker hosting, training, and license resale for SMB and mid-market customers, operating under Direct Impact Solutions inc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AppWorks does
AppWorks is a boutique custom software development firm specializing in the Claris FileMaker platform, with additional delivery capability in OutSystems and Laravel. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and operating under parent company Direct Impact Solutions inc. (Quebec, Canada) since 2018, the firm targets small-to-mid-sized businesses and select enterprise customers that have outgrown spreadsheet-based workflows. Its technology stack is built around Claris FileMaker deployments hosted on AWS infrastructure, augmented by proprietary free Creative Commons modules (fmLog, fmSearchResults, fmMapping, fmRecentRecords) and a paid FileMaker Webhooks Listener that exposes integrations to 2000+ applications via Zapier and direct connectors to Shopify, Stripe, QuickBooks, Twilio, and DocuSign.
The company monetizes through four distinct revenue streams: custom application development (professional services, quote-based pricing), recurring FileMaker cloud hosting subscriptions tiered from $150 to $750 per month, instructor-led training (individual classes at $400 per session or a 6-part series at $2,000), and Claris FileMaker license resale as a certified reseller. Hosting infrastructure emphasizes operational rigor with features such as AWS-backed servers, 11-nines data durability via S3 backups, Zabbix monitoring, AWS Global Accelerator for traffic optimization, and PCI-DSS, NIST, and HIPAA-compliant configurations. Distribution is a hybrid of community-led demand generation (the long-running Portland FileMaker Developers Meetup, the FileMaker Talk podcast, YouTube tutorials, and co-hosted conferences like Pause on Error) and direct sales via website contact forms for custom development, hosting, and training inquiries.
Organizationally, AppWorks runs with 1-10 employees including founder and CEO Matt Navarre (30 years of FileMaker experience), senior developer David Weiner, team member Kimberly Carlson, and training coordinator Shawn Prado. The firm holds Claris Platinum Partner status (the highest tier) and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credentials. No external venture or institutional funding has been disclosed; revenue figures are also undisclosed. The company's expansion vectors include active hiring for developer and server roles, parent-company-enabled geographic reach across North America and Europe, and ongoing free module releases that function as both community contributions and indirect lead-generation assets.
AppWorks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AppWorks
- Legal name
- Direct Impact Solutions inc.
- Website
- https://app.works
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AppWorks is a boutique Portland-based custom software firm specializing in Claris FileMaker development, AWS-backed FileMaker hosting, training, and license resale for SMB and mid-market customers, operating under Direct Impact Solutions inc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AppWorks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Software Development Services
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools) (HDAEAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) & Document Generation/Templating (HDAEAGAL), iBPMS (Intelligent BPM Suites) & Process Automation Suites (HDAEAHAG)
Keywords
Where AppWorks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
AppWorks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Software Development: Bespoke application development services using Claris FileMaker, OutSystems and Laravel platforms to build custom solutions tailored to client business requirements.
- FileMaker Hosting Services: Cloud-based database hosting on AWS infrastructure with tiered pricing based on user count and resource requirements. Monthly recurring revenue model.
- Training Services: Instructor-led FileMaker training classes at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, plus organization-specific training sessions and FileMaker Certification preparation.
- Software Licenses: Certified FileMaker license reseller offering User Licensing, Concurrent Connection Licensing, and Site Licensing programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Medium - 1 to 4 users |
| Subscription | Monthly | Large - 1 to 24 users |
| Subscription | Monthly | XLarge - 25 to 49 users |
| Subscription | Monthly | 2XLarge - 50 to 99 users |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Additional Options |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Training Class |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Complete Training Series |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
AppWorks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AppWorks builds custom business applications on the Claris FileMaker, OutSystems, and Laravel platforms and operates a parallel suite of recurring services including AWS-based FileMaker hosting, instructor-led FileMaker training, and certified FileMaker license resale. The company packages these capabilities with a set of free downloadable FileMaker modules (fmMapping, fmLog, fmSearchResults, fmRecentRecords) and a proprietary FileMaker Webhooks Listener that ties FileMaker databases into 2000+ external applications.
Product overview
AppWorks is a custom software development company specializing in Claris FileMaker platform solutions. The company operates a platform-plus-services model, offering custom development services, cloud hosting, consulting, training, and license resale alongside a suite of proprietary add-on modules. The core product portfolio includes fmMapping (geocoding and Google Maps integration), fmLog (application logging), fmRecentRecords (search history), fmSearchResults (enhanced search), and the FileMaker Webhooks Listener (API integration enabling connection to 2000+ apps via Zapier). All modules are offered as free downloads under Creative Commons licensing. The company provides training services from beginner to advanced levels including FileMaker Certification preparation, and maintains active community engagement through meetups, YouTube tutorials, and the FileMaker Talk podcast.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Solution Development Bespoke application development services using the Claris FileMaker, OutSystems, and Laravel platforms to build custom business applications for organizations whose off-the-shelf software does not match their operating model.
- FileMaker Hosting Cloud-based FileMaker database hosting on Amazon Web Services with tiered plans from 1 to 99 users, SSL certificates, security updates, daily backups to S3 with 11 nines durability, and optional web hosting included in larger tiers.
- FileMaker Consulting Consulting engagements to recommend the best platform, integrations, and architecture to fit a customer's business needs and advance operations across the Claris FileMaker, OutSystems, and Laravel ecosystems.
- FileMaker Training Instructor-led FileMaker Pro Advanced training classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, delivered either on-site in Portland or remotely, covering database creation, UI/UX design, scripting, JSON, and deployment.
- FileMaker Certification Learning Path Structured training program designed to help developers prepare for and achieve FileMaker Certification through guided coursework.
- FileMaker Licenses Certified FileMaker license resale program offering User Licensing, Concurrent Connection Licensing, and Site Licensing programs to end customers through AppWorks' Claris Platinum partner status.
- FileMaker Webhooks Listener Solution that enables real-time data integration between FileMaker databases and external APIs via webhooks, supporting connections to 2000+ apps through Zapier and direct webhooks to services such as Shopify, QuickBooks, Stripe, Twilio, SendGrid, and more.
- Module Implementation Service Professional service to install and configure AppWorks' downloadable modules (fmLog, fmSearchResults, fmRecentRecords) into customer FileMaker solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Migrate servers in 30 minutes or less with less than 15 minutes of downtime
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use AppWorks
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AppWorks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration22 records
Feature5 records
AppWorks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Women Innovating Together (WITfm)majorAppWorks is an active supporter and member of WITfm, which aims to help women learn and become successful developers in the Claris FileMaker platform. Kimberly Carlson from AppWorks has been a mentor since the program's inception.
- Claris (FileMaker)coreAppWorks is a Claris Platinum partner, the highest partnership level. They are a certified FileMaker license reseller offering User Licensing, Concurrent Connection Licensing, and Site Licensing programs. As a Platinum partner, they have deep platform expertise and access to Claris resources.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)coreAppWorks utilizes AWS for their FileMaker cloud hosting infrastructure. They are AWS Certified Cloud Practitioners. AWS provides the underlying compute, storage, and global infrastructure for their hosted FileMaker solutions.
- FM AcademymajorAppWorks collaborates with other leading FileMaker firms around the United States via FM Academy to promote best practices for using the Claris FileMaker Platform through joint webinars and educational content.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AppWorks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AppWorks social profiles
Digital presenceAppWorks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
AppWorks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AppWorks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
AppWorks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AppWorks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AppWorks
What does AppWorks do?
AppWorks builds custom business applications on the Claris FileMaker, OutSystems, and Laravel platforms and operates a parallel suite of recurring services including AWS-based FileMaker hosting, instructor-led FileMaker training, and certified FileMaker license resale. The company packages these capabilities with a set of free downloadable FileMaker modules (fmMapping, fmLog, fmSearchResults, fmRecentRecords) and a proprietary FileMaker Webhooks Listener that ties FileMaker databases into 2000+ external applications.
Is AppWorks a public or private company?
AppWorks is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was AppWorks founded?
AppWorks was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AppWorks based?
AppWorks is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does AppWorks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Software Development is the primary driver. The others are fileMaker Hosting Services, training Services and software Licenses.
Does AppWorks have an API?
Yes. AppWorks offers FileMaker webhooks integration enabling real-time data exchange between FileMaker databases and external applications. The webhooks listener solution allows FileMaker to receive HTTP push notifications from external APIs without polling. Supports integration with 2000+ apps via Zapier. The FileMaker Data API (fmrest) enables inbound API calls with unlimited data transfers and outbound calls with shared annual data transfer cache (metered at server level). TLS-encrypted connections. Authentication layer required (basic authentication or custom layers). Developer documentation is at www.directimpactsolutions.com/en/filemaker-webhooks.
What industry is AppWorks in?
AppWorks's product category is Custom Software Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAKAK, Data App Builders (Forms, Portals & Internal Tools), with a secondary code of HDAEAGAL, Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) & Document Generation/Templating. Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 7371.