Cataloging Software

Computer Column #237

by John P. Reid, e-mail: jreid@dca.net

Every few years we survey the available software for cataloging antiques collections or managing inventories of antiques dealers. The needs are similar. Both collectors and dealers number and record their treasures. Descriptions may include name, condition, provenance, cost, appraisal, and other details. Often there are pictures accompanying the descriptions.

Dealers may require additional functions. Inventory costs need to be analyzed for accounting and tax reporting, and dealers need a convenient way to post sales. This may be a simple invoice printing feature, or it may be a full point-of-sale (POS) system that functions like a cash register.

Software for antiques mall managers is another large category and is quite different. Those products will not be covered in this column.

The requirements of each collector or dealer will be different. It is suggested that you browse the Web sites listed below for products that seem close to your needs. Investigate the detailed descriptions, and try the demonstration versions if available. Spend the necessary time on this chore. The big job is entering all the inventory data once a database is chosen, so be sure a good choice is made.

Unless stated otherwise, prices for downloading a registered copy of the product are listed here. Some vendors offer a CD version at a small extra cost. Most products are for Windows 98 through Vista. A few work with Windows 95 as well. One also has a version for Macintosh computers, as noted. It may be possible to run other programs on a Macintosh using one of the available Windows emulators, but this requires a bit of technical knowledge.

Products are listed alphabetically by company name within each category. No evaluation is implied by the order.

-Antiques Software

The following products were developed for antiques collectors or dealers. Most are widely used and have stood the test of time. Unless otherwise noted, they are suited to both dealers and collectors.

Anteq Software (www.anteq.com) no longer sells its inexpensive Anteq Collections Manager, although that program is still on the download page of the Web site. Anteq now offers only mall management software and dealer management software. Anteq Dealer Manager does inventory management, pricing label generation, business expense management, and customer management. It has a good POS system. The program costs $325 for a single-user system or $395 for the multiple-user network system. In addition to shop owners, it can serve a booth holder in an antiques mall. Complete manuals and a trial version can be downloaded.

The Antique and Art Information Network (www.aain.com) offers a wide range of software products for collectors, dealers, mall managers, show managers, and restorers. Collectors FastTrack Cataloging and Inventory Software "Lite" sells for $69.95. The "Max" version is $124.95. Five different dealer software products range from $179.95 to $319.95. Free evaluation disks can be ordered. This firm is the largest supplier of antiques-related software, and its technical support facilities are excellent.

Antique Dealers and Collectors Software (www.tinkerware.com) offers CAD 3.0 (Collector And Dealer) for $49.95. In addition to a Windows (95 through Vista) version, there is a version for Macintosh (OS 8, OS 9, and OS X). CAD 3.0 maintains inventory records for collectors or dealers, and it has limited POS support. This and its earlier versions have been available for more than a decade, and 1500 copies have been sold. Feature information on the Web site is skimpy, but data screens are shown. No demonstration version is available, but the supplier will answer questions by phone or e-mail.

BDSystems (www.bdsyst.com/cats) sells CATS 3 or Collectibles and Antiques Trading System for $189.95. We reviewed the first version in 1992. It is primarily a dealer program and has a POS system. Sample operations are shown in a computer tour on the Web site. A demonstration version can be downloaded.

Collectorpro Software Group (www.collectorpro.com) also has been in the antiques software field since 1992. The firm sells Collectorpro for Antiques 8 for $149. It would be useful to collectors or dealers, but a full POS system is not included. There is a good description of the software on the Web site, and a free demonstration can be downloaded. The firm has a number of other products, including software for home or insurance inventory and software for appraisers.

It appears that Corporate Edge Software no longer offers Art & Antique Collector Software. The software was reviewed here in the past. If Corporate Edge does still offer it, I would be pleased to know.

-General Databases

The following products were developed as general-purpose databases but have a version customized for antiques and art collectors.

Data Village (www.datavillage.com/antiquetracker.htm) offers simple databases for a great many purposes. Among them is Data Tracker for Art and Antiques for $49.95. It is primarily collector software. A good description is included on the Web site, and a demonstration version can be downloaded.

Frostbow Software (www.frostbow.com/products) has home inventory software as well as Frostbow Collection Manager 3 for cataloging and organizing antiques and collectibles. Details and sample screens are available on the Web site. It costs $24.95. A 30-day free trial can be downloaded.

Idealog.net (www.collections.idealog.net) offers A2Z Collection Manager for $24.95. It is geared to any type of collection and is not customized for antiques or art. The Web site should be viewed using Internet Explorer or Opera. The page is garbled when viewed on Firefox or Safari.

Novato Technology (www.nortica.com) sells Collection Master 1.3 for $39.95. It comes with 60 templates to customize it for various antiques or collectibles, or it can be customized by the user. The Web site lists the program's many features.

Primasoft PC Software (www.primasoft.com/products/orgdlx.htm) includes Art, Antiques Organizer Deluxe 2.8 among its many databases. It sells for $75. It is a program for collectors and has no POS system. A good description is on the Web site. A 45-day free trial can be downloaded. You can purchase this program with templates for 61 different database setups for $119.

Red Queen Software (www.redqueensoftware.com) sells SAFE Home Inventory Software for $49.99. It has facilities for cataloging collectibles, antiques, and art among other possessions. A special feature allows transferring the database and pictures to an inexpensive "thumb drive" so the program can be run on any Windows PC that has a USB socket. There are lots of words but few details on the Web site. No demonstration version is available.

-Specialized Collections

The following companies supply databases for specific collecting categories.

BookTrakker (www.booktrakker.com) has software for book collectors and dealers. BookTrakker 3.4 Collector Edition is $75. An advanced version is $150. Bookseller editions are $125 and $250. A network bookseller edition for multiple computers is $500. Brief feature lists are on the Web site. A free edition is available for trying the software for 30 days.

Carlisle Development Corporation (www.carlisledevelopment.com) has a complete line of software for coin and currency collectors at $94.95 and up.

The Web site Euro Download (www.eurodownload.com) has 155 databases under its "Home and Hobby" category under the subcategory "Cataloging." Vendors and prices vary. Prices are in euros and U.S. dollars.

Manage my Collectibles (www.managemycollectibles.com) offers software for dozens of collecting fields, including antiques, dolls, glass, kitchen collectibles, musical instruments, postcards, toys, and Scouting. Individual databases are $29.95 plus shipping in a boxed version.

NM Gun Collector Software (www.nmcollector.net/nmguncollector) can be purchased on a CD for $29.95 plus shipping. An evaluation copy can be downloaded.

One of a Kind Dolls (www.oneofakinddolls.com) has Doll Collection Tracker 2005 on sale for $8.95. It appears to be an unusually comprehensive database. An on-line demonstration is available.

TreasureSoft (www.treasuresoft.com) helps to coordinate a collection catalog with on-line auctions. It costs $9.95.

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