Patricia,

We have created a fake "department" called Accessories for non-accessioned frames, mounts, mannequins, casts, molds, and so on. The object status for these is "MFA owned." Using the "Related" feature in TMS, we link object-related accessories to specific objects. With frames, for instance, some objects have multiple frames associated with them (storage frames, exhibition frames, shipping frames); also, some frames can be used on more than one object and are linked accordingly.

Having a separate object record for accessories like frames gives us a place to enter conservation surveys, line items, and media records which we would not be able to do in the component area. We can also use our existing reports for these object records, link constituents (mount makers), etc.

We've been working this way for more than a year now. It has been a great help with our Frames Inventory.

Linda Pulliam
Manager of Collections Information
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston



-----Original Message-----
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Patricia Raynor
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2004 11:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Tracking crates in TMS


Dear all,

I've tried unsucessfully to send the following message (at least I believe
it didn't go through) as I didn't get any responses.  I'm hoping to hear
from all of you who use TMS to track object crates.

We would like to find a way to track object crates, associated object
housing, or mounts in TMS.  We are soliciting suggestions from other TMS
users who might have already found a successful way to use TMS for this
purpose.

Thanks for your advice.

Patricia

Patricia  A. Raynor
Museum Specialist
National Postal Museum
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560-0570
202-633-5514
202-786-2767 (fax)

Temporary mailing address:
National Postal Museum
Smithsonian Institution
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Post Office Box 75039
Washington, DC 20002