Model Inventory Database

I developed a database shell in MS Access.  It tracks kits and various categories of aftermarket: Photoetch, resint wheels, other resin, decals, etc.  They link to the specific kit using a lot number as key.

If you have MS Access, I'd be happy to share the database shell with you.  PM me.

Regards,
Bruce

Actually eScale Models has an online inventory available. Rather lightweight, and more setup for cars than armor or aircraft. Checked it out last night. You can export it to an Excel or .csv file, and it's completely search-able.

Includes:

Manufacturer, Make, Model, Year, Scale, Comments, Reviews, Swap, Upgrade Items, Purchase Price, Purchase Date, Links and Box Art upload.

Could use a little more flexibility, maybe include Genre, or sort via squadron or battalion. Having drop down menus for type and scale would be nice. It's a beginning!

Now if only you could upload a .csv file to it, I might use it. As it is, I've already entered the data once into a spreadsheet. Don't feel like doing it twice!

I'm a web developer by trade, and I used to be an avid PC gamer (until two years ago when my daughter was born - no coincidence there). Awhile ago I had thought of making a web-based inventory site for people to keep track of their games and maybe set up a kind of gamer swap meet. I ended up deciding that making it web-based would be kind of unnecessary and I don't have the resources or know-how to create a trading site when there are other sites that do it much better. I mention all this because seeing this post really piqued my interest, but I still think a website is overkill, unless any of you disagree. If I can find time I'll try to work up a desktop app to do this. It'll make a good learning project for me, and if I can get it finished and it's of use to anyone, so much the better.

MS Excel was/is definitely something I thought using. Same with creating an Access database.

But since time is very tight I thought I rather spend a few bucks and get something that is ready for use.

The program I saw back then was $24.95. I recall that much. And it really had everything I need. If I could only recall the name or the company.

Oh well, may be I do sit down one day and excel something together...

There are other online tutorials who can help, and even templates that can be downloaded from Microsoft.com, and all for FREE. My favorite four letter word!

It all depends on what you expect. An inventory can be as simple as rows and columns, or with a little work, you can create a user form in VBE that can rival a "store bought" database inventory. Here is a free service that I found with a very simple search string in Google:

http://www.contextures.com/xlUserForm01.html

With some perseverance and imagination, there is little Excel can't do!

Or you can just go to the Video Professor and learn it cheap and do your own custom work.

 

From what I've read, there ain't nothin' cheap about Video Professor... Once they get your card number, they'll be charging you money for stuff you don't want and it takes quite a bit to get them to stop...

jimbot58

 

There are some of us that aren't very skilled at computers and spreadsheets, and may not mind paying for software that would do all the hard stuff for us. Wouldn't some of you agree?

If you can post quotes here then you can use Access and Excel.  I took a word processing class that also covered  basic spreadsheets but Excel is fairly simple and the built in help will get you through what you need for an inventory.  As for Access, I learned it using the help feature and it is able to do what ever you need.  Real gurus can even make it look like some professional job.

Or you can just go to the Video Professor and learn it cheap and do your own custom work.

For those who use a Mac, there's a great 'consumer' program from Filemaker called Bento. On a PC, Access gives me headaches, but this program (in addition to being on my Mac) is really simplified. I've got an inventory of all my modeling books and kits. Here's a screenshot of a recent addition:

You can export the database as an Excel sheet, or even a PDF. 

One of the most useful parts of this program is the iPhone application; you can sync all of your databases to it.

Now the inventory is with me wherever I go; that helps me know if I already have a certain book or not. That's saved me from buying duplicates on more than one occasion!

• Dogwatch

  What I think is kind of bad is the fact that these folks charge money for this!  It would take about an hour to set up something in either Access or Excel that would do the same job as these pay-for kits.  Maybe Ill do that and offer it up for free....no promises!  I can tinker with it some.

  So, with that in mind, this question is for you gigantic stash hoarders.... :-) .... What categories do you need to track?  Obviously, I see:

  Manufacturer
  Scale
  Type (armor, aircraft, car, figures etc.)
  Cost
  Location of kit (basement, closet, etc.)
  Date purchased/traded/located
  consignments
  Add ons (aftermarket tracks, PE etc.)
  Build date start/finish

  Maybe a running cost of additional purchases for a kit?  I know Ive spent way more on aftermarket stuff for the kit I'm working on than I paid for the kit LOL!

I have a custom Excel spreadsheet that I am always improving.

First it has multiple tabs (sheets) for breaking things into different subjects

A summary page to track all the totals and a "need" page as a virtual shopping list

On an inventory page I track the

• Name
• Kit Manufacturer
• Kit number
• Price Paid
• Kit Status - On Shelf, On Order, Need, Or Built
• Scale
• AM items to go with the kit also tracking the first five items I mentioned for each AM item
• A notes section
• And finally a location, for me it is a shelf # in the modeling room

All these roll into the summary page to give me totals on

• Built kits and value
• AM accessories and value
• Shelf kits and value
• Net change form last year on all of the above.
• total items needed and list

I do agree...if you are not good on the computer you may want to look at a pre-made program but offer the above as an example and items to track

Rounds Complete!!

Dogwatch

What I think is kind of bad is the fact that these folks charge money for this!  It would take about an hour to set up something in either Access or Excel that would do the same job as these pay-for kits.  Maybe Ill do that and offer it up for free....no promises!  I can tinker with it some.

So, with that in mind, this question is for you gigantic stash hoarders.... :-) .... What categories do you need to track?  Obviously, I see:

Manufacturer
Scale
Type (armor, aircraft, car, figures etc.)
Cost
Location of kit (basement, closet, etc.)
Date purchased/traded/located
consignments
Add ons (aftermarket tracks, PE etc.)
Build date start/finish

Maybe a running cost of additional purchases for a kit?  I know Ive spent way more on aftermarket stuff for the kit Im working on than I paid for the kit LOL!

There are some of us that aren't very skilled at computers and spreadsheets, and may not mind paying for software that would do all the hard stuff for us. Wouldn't some of you agree?

The models in my stash are stored in boxes of various sizes from a moving company. Each box is numbered. Several months ago I inventoried the contents of each box and put all of the information on disks. I keep the printed lists in my hobby room and the disks in a safe. As I add or remove a kit from a box, I change the inventory list and write a new disk. All of the boxes are stored in a heated room which connects my home to the barn/garage.

Under the bench

In a double ottoman that also has storage

A box  in the garage on the shlves

On the shevles not in a box

and

a storage closet in the garage.

I have only a small stash compared to most people, but they're in multiple locations, as no one area is large enough to hold them all. Marc is probably the same. Plus there is the Wife Knows/Wive Does Not Know stashes most of us seem to have!

What I want to know is what's up with Marc's multiple locations? Do you have a secret hidden stash somewhere? To be opened upon retirement or such?

What I think is kind of bad is the fact that these folks charge money for this!  It would take about an hour to set up something in either Access or Excel that would do the same job as these pay-for kits.  Maybe Ill do that and offer it up for free....no promises!  I can tinker with it some.

So, with that in mind, this question is for you gigantic stash hoarders.... :-) .... What categories do you need to track?  Obviously, I see:

Manufacturer
Scale
Type (armor, aircraft, car, figures etc.)
Cost
Location of kit (basement, closet, etc.)
Date purchased/traded/located
consignments
Add ons (aftermarket tracks, PE etc.)
Build date start/finish

Maybe a running cost of additional purchases for a kit?  I know Ive spent way more on aftermarket stuff for the kit Im working on than I paid for the kit LOL!

Thanks very much for your replies and suggestions, much appreciated!

Here's a link to one that I downloaded and tried.  Seemed to work really well.  Simple to set search parameters.  A nice feature is "Location"  If you store stuff in several places, like i do, it comes in handy.

http://www.suisoft.co.uk/kitbase/

I just use a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheat to keep track of all my kits. Just created it a couple weeks ago. I've been tweaking and adding to it, it gets better every time!

Another suggestion only:

Manage my collectables

I think this one may be the one I saw, but not sure. I know nothing about it, so this is not an endorsement, only a suggestion! Looking at it, it seems to offer quite a bit. Maybe another member has used it?

Link here

http://www.vpackrat.com/modelv2.0.htm

If you just want to do a spreadsheet to inventory it, Id suggest using open office, its like Ms office, but free, works great.

Psycho

Hi all,

I am looking for a piece of software that allows me to inventory my model kits. If I recall correctly there is something like that out there, which I might have seen a longer time ago in one of the FSM issues. Unfortunately I cannot recall the name of the product. 

It would be great if you can help me out if you know this or any other product you can recommend.

Thanks in advance!

 

Yes, there was a company that offered this software here as an advertisement some time back, but I don't recall the name of it either.

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any "just" for models. You might be able to find something worthwhile on this page, most of which are more for the railroader, but there are some generic craft, hobby and home versions, as well. I can't speak to their quality, as I just use Excel from MS Office. Open Office's Calc and Lotus Symphony's Spreadsheet programs are pretty much the same as Excel, but are free for the download.