We use Access to paste a code such as "INV 2006 L" plus the current date into the ObjLocations.Remarks field (where the table is currently linked to ObjComponents.CurrentObjLocationID). That shows up in TMS and is always searchable. If a location has to change, we update it TMS as usual, and refresh our Access query. Using access lets us move through the records by location order, down to the shelf level, so we can review everything that's supposed to be in a certain room, cabinet, etc. We do all the updating of actual locations only in TMS. It can be done in Access by swapping ID's but there's too much room for error. It goes much faster that way, and is more accuratel. It helps to have a long network cable and a laptop, obviously! Assistant Registrar for Collections Information Smithsonian Institution Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 1050 Independence Avenue, SW MRC 707, P.O. Box 37012 Washington, DC 20013-7012 tel:202-633-0348 fax:202-633-9770 [log in to unmask] ________________________________ From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeri Moxley Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:39 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Large Collections Inventories uhh...you do what? Are you entering the data through the TMS interface? or via Access? both? ________________________________ From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Smith, Jeffrey Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 1:26 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Large Collections Inventories We've found using Access to view current locations and mark the inventory status & date in the "Remarks" field to be very useful. This requires the creation of 2-3 queries that work together. It allows you to see everything in table fashion by location and have TMS open at the same time to move things found or in the wrong place. The access query is then updated, and the "found" status of the object can be recorded at the same time. Plus, it records the history of the inventory in place that stays with the location history of the object and is searchable from within TMS - a way of monitoring the progress of the inventory. Assistant Registrar for Collections Information Smithsonian Institution Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery 1050 Independence Avenue, SW MRC 707, P.O. Box 37012 Washington, DC 20013-7012 tel:202-633-0348 fax:202-633-9770 [log in to unmask] ________________________________ From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeri Moxley Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:55 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Large Collections Inventories We're in the midst of a collection inventory and are entering the Inventory stamp one record at a time. It would be great if it were possible to enter the inventory stamp in the way that the Random Check feature works for a group of records. Jeri -------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeri Moxley Rojas TMS Specialist Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum 1071 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10128 tel: (212) 423-3509 fax: (212) 462-4225 email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> ________________________________ From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Finkel, Susan Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 11:05 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Large Collections Inventories TMS ListServ Members: How do you handle the posting of inventory location verifications for a large number of objects? It is my understanding that current TMS inventory functionality deals with these verifications one object at a time. Is there an approach anyone has used successfully when the inventory involves thousands of objects? Thanks! Sue Finkel Collections Information Systems Coordinator Registrar's Office National Gallery of Art Washington, DC Americans in Paris 1860 - 1900 22 February - 21 May 2006 Book Now http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/americans_paris/default.ht m Open until 9pm every Wednesday with live music & bar Sign up for the latest news, offers and exclusive competitions from the National Gallery by clicking on this link http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/what/news/subscribe.htm