David Aylsworth asked about conservation databases and their possible
integration with TMS. 

The TMS conservation module is capable of recording basic conservation
treatments, but cannot compete with the capacities of some specialized
conservation documentation software for more complex treatments (see for
example CDS-Documentation at
http://www.conservationdatasystems.com/cdsdoc.htm) But TMS effectively
incorporates data from any such software in the following way: The
conservator records the conservation of an object in their specialized
software. Any such program would have report formats that can be output
to paper or to PDF files (using Adobe Acrobat any of the less expensive
PDF generator programs). The PDF file is stored in a digital archive on
the network, perhaps organized with a folder for each object where this
and other object-related digital assets can be stored. 

A link created in the media section of the TMS object record opens the
PDF report. Just as a link to a photo opens the photo, a link to a PDF
file opens the PDF file. The "Public Caption" for a PDF report might be
something like "Conservation Report 2007." A curator or conservator thus
may look up an object in TMS, and upon seeing that a conservation report
is linked, open the full report without leaving TMS. 

PDF is an industry-standard, non-proprietary file format that will be
possible to migrate as formats evolve. Of course, other formats, such as
MSWord .DOC files can also be used in the same way with TMS.


John R. Watson
Conservator of Instruments and Mechanical Arts Colonial Williamsburg
Foundation www.History.org Williamsburg, VA 23185
757-565-8594



-----Original Message-----
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Aylsworth, David
Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 11:04 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Making another database partially accessible in TMS

Good morning,

Because I wasn't fast enough with exploring the possibility of adapting
the conservation modules of TMS in a manner that was acceptable for our
conservation department, they went ahead and created their own database
that they use for their own purposes.  It's a beautiful database, and is
very useful for them.  They also had very strong feelings of mistrust of
the security abilities of TMS and did not want access to many of their
reports to general users.

Now, though, they are starting to realize some of the benefits of having
at least some of their data accessible through TMS.  They don't want to
talk about mapping a conversion to dump their data into TMS yet, but
they think that they want the ability within TMS to capture a report of
specific fields from their database.  They suggested doing this through
some sort of hyperlink.

I haven't talked with Gallery Systems about this yet, but I will.  I
have a feeling that this is not an unique problem for me, though, so was
curious about if anyone was dealing with multiple databases and trying
to merge them in a way that would enable both to operate dynamically or
independently?  Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
David

David Aylsworth
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Registrar for Collections
telephone:  713-639-7824
fax:  713-639-7780