Heather,

just based the information you've provided, it sounds like your best option
would be to upgrade the older version of access and make it available on a
network. This way, the different people who need to access it, can do so
from their own workstations. I can't tell from your e-mail if you have this
scenario in place, but if not you can do this in peer-to-peer set up, so you
don't need to invest in an expensive server if you don't already have one.
My feeling is, if your database in access is working for you, than keep it.
When you are a small institution, buying very specific software that only
does one thing isn't very cost effective. Our Raiser's Edge database tracks
giving, attendance, serves as our mailing list and more, as long as we
configure it to do so. If you're not in need of software that prints
tickets, acts as a "cash register" tracks admissions, etc... Use a system
that has more options and meets more than one need.

Some more info on importing data:
If do decide to purchase new software and want to import the records that
you already have, I've had success editing data and fields (so that they
line up properly) in excel. I prefer this to word, just because it is a
spreadsheet and i feel i have more options, but that's just me...I have not
had a problem, so far, importing/exporting from excel to access or raiser's
edge.

good luck!

Shana O'Hara
Program and Operations Manager
Aljira, a Center for Contemporary Art
Newark, NJ


>From: Heather Price <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Admissions software for small museums
>Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2002 12:08:28 -0500
>
>Hello all,
>
>Does anyone have a recommendation for admissions software for small
>museums?
>
>Our Accounting Manager would like to purchase a simple software program
>that
>would add up daily (and yearly) admissions dollars. In addition I would
>like
>it to track where our visitors are from, how they heard about us, what they
>came to see, etc. We do not use tickets, and do not need anything very
>sophisticated. Does anyone use a program like this?
>
>We are currently using an Access database set up by a former staff member.
>It does track everything I mentioned above. Our major problem with it is
>that the Accounting Manager and Receptionist have (for various reasons)
>different versions of Access. So whenever the Acct. Mgr. wants to tweak the
>program, she has to do it on the Receptionist's computer. She would prefer
>to have software that she could load on both computers. (In fact, she
>promises to buy the new software and donate it, if it will allow her to
>stop
>running between computers.)
>
>Thank you for your help.
>
>Heather Price
>Ella Sharp Museum
>http://www.ellasharp.org/
>
>=========================================================
>Important Subscriber Information:
>
>The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
>http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
>information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail
>message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should
>read "help" (without the quotes).
>
>If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
>[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
>Museum-L" (without the quotes).


_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).