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  • 1.  What are the best collections management software?

    Posted 06-03-2025 01:00 PM

    Dear All

    I know this can be somewhat subjective thing. What are the best collections management software? I have only had some experience with one. I look forward to all responces.

    Thanks,

    Rachel



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    Rachel Alschuler
    Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
    San Francisco CA
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  • 2.  RE: What are the best collections management software?

    Posted 06-04-2025 09:21 AM

    We've been using Past Perfect, PC version and it has served us well.  Also very good tech support, when needed.



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    James McCormick
    Museum Trustee
    The Aviation Museum of Kentucky
    Lexington KY
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: What are the best collections management software?

    Posted 06-04-2025 09:24 AM
    Edited by Maria Barney 06-04-2025 09:24 AM

    Hi Rachel,

    I'm glad you asked because I have the same question. Which is the one you use? Is there something you wish you could change about it to better meet your needs?



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    Maria Barney MLS
    Assistant Librarian
    Hispanic Society of America, Museum Department
    New York NY
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: What are the best collections management software?

    Posted 06-04-2025 11:39 AM

    Rachel,

    Best can be a tough question to answer without more detailed criteria. You may want to use these as a starting point to filter to your optimal options.

    1. How large is your collection?
    2. What kind of collection is it ie art, cultural, scientific? 
    3. What kind of media ie photos, documents, video, audio, 3D?
    4. How large is your team?
    5. Do you have integration requirements such as a DAMS, website, email, ticketing, fundraising, preferred office suite
    6. Technical requirements: can you use open source, or must be commercial, do you need on-premise hosting or cloud is preferred.

    Also, Ashley Blewer published this resource in 2017 and it is still actively maintained:
    https://bits.ashleyblewer.com/blog/2017/08/09/collection-management-system-collection/

    Hope this helps,

    Matt
    --
    Matthew Patulski
    Digital Practitioner
    Poplar Media LLC
    Secure/Organize/Share


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    Matthew Patulski
    Digital Practioner
    Grand Rapids MI
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: What are the best collections management software?

    Posted 06-04-2025 01:28 PM

    Dear All

    I have used past perfect both in my grad program and when it helped a friend accession donations into her veterans museum's collection. I found it helpful and like that it is searchable. How much does the type of collection matter to the software? My grad program has a large verity of objects from around the world many of witch are very old, like things from ancient Egypt.

    Thanks,

    Rachel



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    Rachel Alschuler
    Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
    San Francisco CA
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    Original Message


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