I'm the tech support for a small business that uses Claris Filemaker for our invoicing system. Recently, Google has stopped supporting Plain Password for their SMTP, which is causing issues with our email functionality that sends invoices to customers. Our current version of Filemaker only allows Plain Password or CRAM-MD5, and we are not upgrading to the latest version that supports OAuth due to budget constraints. I'm considering alternatives like setting up a ProtonMail or Fastmail account since they still support Plain Password, but I'm worried about the DNS records since they're set up for Gmail. Would creating a sub-domain for the new email service, like using [email protected], be a viable solution, or am I overthinking this? It's important for us to keep sending automated invoices to avoid manual emailing by our customer service team.
5 Answers
Another potential option is to create a utility account specifically for this purpose with 2FA enabled. You'll need to generate app passwords for it, and just be mindful that changing the account holder means recreating those passwords. Using an SMTP relay rule could also be your go-to solution if you're using a static IP.
Lastly, plugins like the one from 360Works can enhance your email sending capabilities, especially with older versions of Filemaker. They can work well in tandem with whatever SMTP solution you end up choosing. Just make sure to check out community forums for specific advice on integrating these tools.
You might also consider setting up an SMTP relay server, either locally or in the cloud. This would allow you to keep the email functions running smoothly without the need to upgrade Filemaker right away. Just ensure you have the proper authentication methods in place.
The easiest workaround could be to create an app password for your Google account. Google allows SMTP relay (smtp-relay.google.com), and while they are tightening security, it should still work if you set up the app password correctly. Check this link for guidance on how to create it.
That sounds like a solid option! I'll look into setting up an app password for Filemaker to see if that resolves the issue.
Have you thought about using SMTP2GO? It's affordable and works really well for many applications. It's straightforward to set up, especially if you're looking to keep things simple during this transition. You might want to create a subdomain for it as well, which could help keep everything organized.
I definitely recommend SMTP2GO! It's been a lifesaver for sending emails without any hassle and it integrates well.
So just to clarify, if I create this utility account, I can use it just for the invoicing emails, right? Sounds pretty manageable.