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