I have worked for a collection as a registrarial assistant where they utilized
a three step system that seemed solve many of the problems outlined here on
the list.

1. log book- each object that entered the collection was logged into an
accession book that also allowed the object to be given it's AC# that would
stick with that object of eternity.  This could be that historic document, so
many people seem
so crazy about.
2. Catalogue sheet- with all information that would enter the computer system
outlined, and easily adapted to the database entry.
3. Data entry into database from Catalogue sheet- which in turn was printed
out for a catalogue card that was placed in the collection's card catalogue
where there are cards from the formation of the collection to present day.
There are large collections that were entered right into the computer, but in
all cases, a hard-copy was printed out on a regular basis to check for error,
as well as to have a hard copy that were accessible in notebook form, for those
days when the computer system is acting funny.

my 2 and 1/2 cents