Inventory program recommendations for provate collection of stuff

[ear3]

I started making a spreadsheet of my tools and accessories just to have it, though it will also be useful for home insurance purposes. I've been encouraging my wife to do the same for her jewelry and antique collection, but she has upped the ante and expressed interest in creating something more robust and user friendly. So I'm looking now into programs that can serve as a database for this purpose. Something that has the basic functionality of a spreadsheet with customizable fields for various categories of info, but can also generate or display individual records, in which images or other files can be embedded. For example, we would want to be able to display/access for any individual object a picture of the item, and then, say, a pdf of the purchase invoice or any associated provenance info.

I'm sure something like this exists among the millions of collectors out there in the world, but i havent had much luck finding anything so far, and keep being directed instead to commercial inventory management software or museum type record management that is too expensive/complicated.

Any recommendations?

 

[Duckler]

I have not checked but would suspect there are templates “out there”.
Between Google Sheets, MS Excel and SourceForge you could probably save some work and avoid reinventing the hubcap.

 

[Sparktrician]

Edward, I use Excel spreadsheets for my tool and photographic equipment inventories. If you need to add photos, you could consider using a field in each record to hyperlink to images stored outside of Excel, whether on your computer or on another medium like a NAS or website.

 

[bertv]

If you are on a Mac, Apple’s app Numbers could be just what you need. It has the ability to add pictures to items in lists. I use it to make sense (which is "finding") of my bits and parts stored in 30-plus AUER assortment boxes and various other storage items.

 

[Cheese]

I also use Excel for listing items from tools to firearms to garden trains...here's an example of something as goofy as a list of LED bulbs used for lighting the yard. I've added photos for easier bulb identification and hyperlinks can also be added. Prices/values can be automatically totaled. Besides...who doesn't know how to use Excel?

 

[Packard]

We used a data base for that purpose at work. I think any database will work. It also has the ability to sort if you enter parameters.

For example you could categorize by type of work. Wood, metal, carpentry, etc.

I think my laptop came with a database included. Check your computer. This is not a very demanding task for a database and I think any one of them would be up to the task.

 

[nclemmons]

Edward -

Check out iDatabase for Mac. You can download a trial. Purchase Price is $35 and it has a range of capabilities. They also offer in iOS version for phone and iPad.

Apps for Mac | Apimac

The most intuitive and easy-to-use Mac apps.

www.apimac.com

neil

 

[Mini Me]

I would advise anyone who has a tool collection to itemise it one way or another. If someone steals a large amount of it there is no way you will remember all of what is missing. I had a neighbour this happened to when his son stole everything in his workshop and he missed claiming a lot of stuff simply because he could not remember what he had.

 

[Packard]

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I would advise anyone who has a tool collection to itemise it one way or another. If someone steals a large amount of it there is no way you will remember all of what is missing. I had a neighbour this happened to when his son stole everything in his workshop and he missed claiming a lot of stuff simply because he could not remember what he had.

Add photos too, in case your insurance company contests your claim. For example, you have four (4) routers. The insurance company only believes that you had one. Why have duplicate machines? One phot showing all four routers.

Our database allowed us to include photos. I don’t know if all of them do. Or make a photo file.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Probably all us us reading this have so many tools and other valuable objects that to properly insure all the stuff will require a rider to the house insurance policy, and the database is required to document it all.

 

[Cheese]

Probably all us us reading this have so many tools and other valuable objects that to properly insure all the stuff will require a rider to the house insurance policy, and the database is required to document it all.

True...and it's worth checking into the availability of riders even though that falls flat in some of my experience.

Well unfortunately that's only one part of the equation. The spread sheet is a must but 2 other issues are also necessary to even attempt to be reimbursed for the stolen items. Under homeowners insurance, you need to prove that the items were owned and used for private purposes and not for commercial purposes.
You need to provide detailed receipts of all items
You need to provide proof that you are not a commercial firm engaged in business. Otherwise, commercial insurance is needed to cover the losses.

While the last item seems the easiest to prove, unfortunately it becomes the most difficult to prove if you are indeed a simple woodworker that was just burgled...ask me how I know.