We use containers in all kinds of ways, but they are particularly valuable for solander boxes. Our Prints, Drawings, and Photographs locations are conceptual, rather than specific (PDP Main Storage [M355], Prints, Italian Old Masters, 14 x 18 box, monographic 2 or PDP Main Storage [M355], Drawings, 16 x 22 box, alphabetical). We have many boxes with the same "location". Designating a unique container for each box allows us to print out box lists and will also immensely facilitate the move we are planning for next year. We are now bar coding each box and will scan and upload those codes to track the movement of thousands of works on paper every day. That said, easier access to the Container Assistant would be very helpful. And sometimes our users do move entire containers when they mean to move only one thing out of a container, or vice versa. We would also like to be able to enter and track the locations of empty containers in the Objects module. You can do this in the Shipping module I believe. I am not sure why it can't be done in Objects. Jenny Wilker Manager, Collection Information Philadelphia Museum of Art -----Original Message----- From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jen Kaines \\eoj Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 4:52 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Use of containers We are successfully using Containers here at Leeds for a diverse spread of collection types and container types. Each container has a unique identifier with a prefix much like below. We are planning a major move of our stores within the next year so are hoping we can easily update locations during the move using Container updates, rather than individual items. We had a report written for us by Gallery which gives us a detailed list of everything in a specific container. This list is being enclosed in each box so we can audit items through the move. Let me know if you would like further details on the report. Jen Kaines Registrar Museums and Galleries Learning and Leisure Department Leeds City Council Tel: 0113 214 6529 Fax: 0113 214 6539 www.leeds.gov.uk Stephanie Leverock <[log in to unmask]> Sent by: "The Museum System (TMS) Users" <[log in to unmask]> 08/12/2005 20:22 Please respond to "The Museum System (TMS) Users" To: [log in to unmask] cc: Subject: Re: Use of containers We are fully using the container feature, nearly 1/3 of our objects (appx. 60,000) are stored in containers. We only recently upgraded to 9.2 and I am still cleaning up duplicate container numbers and messy data entry, but so far it is terrific and will allow us to do the cleanest data entry possible involving containers. Since we have 10 curatorial departments and various container types, then duplication of container numbers, we have a prefix naming system which makes it very easy for data entry. i.e.: AMB10 (Arts of Americas box 10) DAT556 (Dec Arts Tray 556) I think if you are starting fresh you will have no problem. I keep MS Access views of TMS so can easily access the Crates information, but I agree that it would be good if we could access the information as we can the location hierarchy. Our exhibitions and loans registrars would really like better access to this information, so I will probably design an Access-linked database for them. As for reports, I only have a few right now with containers but plan to write a more soon! Stephanie Leverock Records Manager and Collections Review Coordinator Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238-6052 Tel: (718) 501-6483 Fax: (718) 501-6135 Heidi Taylor wrote: We are using the "Container" feature and I have found it to be most useful. We use it for boxes (or clothing racks, etc.) that can be moved from room to room or shelf to shelf. You can move one object or all of them. There is one major problem, the containers don't show up on location reports. I have one report that was customized for me (but never really finished by TMS) that works OK but not great as it makes the reports twice as long. If anyone else has a good report I would love to have a copy, otherwise I will be happy to share the one we got. Heidi Taylor Assistant Registrar The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art 941-359-5700 ex. 1502 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.ringling.org/> www.ringling.org Now showing Picturing What Matters: Photographs from the George Eastman House November 19, 2005- January 8, 2006 Coming soon Waking Dreams: The Art of the Pre-Raphaelites from the Delaware Art Museum January 28 - April 3, 2006 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] 12/08/2005 11:52 AM >>> I'm curious to know who out there is fully using the Location & Movement "Container" feature and particularly how it works for storage boxes. Would you recommend a transition to its use, or is it better to manage boxes with the Level and SubLevel fields? Is it difficult not having an easy portal to the crates table through TMS? Thanks! Jeffrey Smith Assistant Registrar for Collections Information Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Smithsonian Institution P.O. Box 37012 Sackler 1040, MRC 707 Washington, D.C. 20013-7012 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] tel: 202-633-0348 fax: 202-633-9770 <http://www.asia.si.edu/> http://www.asia.si.edu -- Stephanie Leverock Records Manager and Collections Review Coordinator Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY 11238-6052 Tel: (718) 501-6483 Fax: (718) 501-6135 ________________________________________________________________________ The information in this email (and any attachment) may be for the intended recipient only. If you know you are not the intended recipient, please do not use or disclose the information in any way and please delete this email (and any attachment) from your system. Service of legal documents is not accepted by email ________________________________________________________________________