Inventory software

[Billnav]

Has classic trains or any member used an inventory software or know of one they could recommend?  Tks Billnav

[Birds]

What do you want the inventory software to do?  By that I mean how are you going to use it, what is it for (person or club), will it be updated regularly, etc.

A database such as MS Access or FileMaker Pro would probably meet all the needs if one is willing to spend the time learning to work with it and program it.  Those two databased give you options that will work on both PC and Apple platforms.

These databases can also export data to spreadsheets and word processing programs to create reports/lists of items and sort them an infinite number of ways.

Another advantage to building one yourself is that you know how it was done are are not reliant on someone else for tech support (but that can also be a bad thing too).

Chris 

[Dr. John]

You could also use MS Excel and develop an inventory spreadsheet fairly easily. I set one up years ago when my son collected baseball cards. Very flexible and allows you to customize how you want to categorize your inventory - for example: brand, type, stock number, year made, year purchased, condition, etc. You could also set up a wish list of desired items the same way.

The problem with "pre-packaged" inventory software (and yes, there is some out there - I see it on Ebay all the time with the O trains listings) is that you usually have features you don't need or want and may lack features you really do want.

As Chris, stated MS Access also works well (I used it once to catalog the books in my office). Basically, you just need a good database or spreadsheet program to get exactly what you want. 

[Anonymous]

You could also use MS Excel and develop an inventory spreadsheet fairly easily. I set one up years ago when my son collected baseball cards. Very flexible and allows you to customize how you want to categorize your inventory - for example: brand, type, stock number, year made, year purchased, condition, etc. You could also set up a wish list of desired items the same way.

The problem with "pre-packaged" inventory software (and yes, there is some out there - I see it on Ebay all the time with the O trains listings) is that you usually have features you don't need or want and may lack features you really do want.

As Chris, stated MS Access also works well (I used it once to catalog the books in my office). Basically, you just need a good database or spreadsheet program to get exactly what you want. 

And Access is NOT a good database program.  It has no recovery systems, gets bloated too quickly because it does not maintain itself, and allows you to develop a database devoid of any good practices or standards.  I can't tell you how many Access databases I've been asked to fix because people can't get to their data.  If you are going to use Access, create two 'databases' one containing your data (tables) and the other containing your interface (forms, queries, reports) Your interface database would have 'linked' tables to the actual database.  You will also want to run a 'Compact and Repair' on your data database at least once per month and make regular back-ups of both data and interface databases.

Or you could go to Microsoft and download SQL Server Express and use a real database.  This will require you to actually develop and interface using either Access (bleh), or VB.Net or C#.

Brent

[Smoke Stack Lightnin']

I agree with MS Excel because for me, data base software would be a bit of overkill.  Excel is easy to use and make refinements as you go.  The data sort feature can let you print lists by road name, engine type, class, manufacturer, smoke/no smoke, operating system, etc.  You can easily put spreads within a main spread, as the added sheets show as tabs along the bottom menu bar.  This way you can have a spread for engines, rolling stock, cabooses, phone numbers, etc.  I've found the password protect and the hide column ("Price Paid" heading) features have been a boon towards my wife's mental health.  My spreadsheet is totally different after three years, all for the better, and it came for free with the computer!

Good Luck,

Stack

 

[lionelsoni]

My roster is in a .TXT file.  I edit it with DOS EDIT; and, when I need to manipulate it, I write a Q-Basic program.

[KentJJ]

Funny you should ask-- I'm currently using a Macintosh-based system from Softrack Systems (http://www.softrack.com/). The version I have provides a Filemaker Pro database template that used to help you make the data entry for each item you own -- i.e., tons of info to keyboard, especially if you have an extensive collection.

I've used Track Tracker for a short time, but eventually migrated back to the Softrack Systems product when I abandoned my PC computer. I've since purchased a new PC laptop -- used primarily to run RR-Track layout design software (rrtrack.com) -- so I'm also looking for a new inventory application to run on my PC. TrainMinder (trainminder.com) seems like it has all the right features (and more). It's not yet on the market, but it sounds like the release is imminent.