Guinea Pigs wanted.. for inventory system

John,

I have my inventory currently on Mitrains. I know it's early in the development, but could we input from that system as it is no longer supported?

One of the other guys (may be you?) was having issues getting his data out of MI Train. My first concern would be to get that data exported for that person. When our "full" export is complete it will actually create a multi-tab spreadsheet as our database is relational. Not in my original list are the data objects that capture features and other 1 to many items.

You can add to the list the:

Minimum and recommended radius / diameter  (0-31)

For Swing and Hang chart data for different radi

Control System Type..

..

..

Also put catalog number of item and of set, if in set.  Not sure if you meant SKU for that, but when I think SKU I think of the barcode, which is different.

And you didn't ask, but I'd be willing to be a guinea pig.

Sinclair,

Yes, the SKU is the cataloged number of the item. If it is pre-sku it is the car number.

John

Definitely this.  I was for an instant contemplating the prospect of moving early last year, and as I tried to polish up the usefulness of my spreadsheet, I added columns for this.  I used codes for room/location and a box number. 

I would also suggest the possibility for inclusion of common consumable parts would be a bonus.  (light bulbs, traction tires, stuff like that).

-Dave

FWIW, some thoughts.

Some other fields might be

MSRP

Picture or Pictures

Box

Box Condition

Shipping Container or Box

And as others have mentioned,

Item Location

Box Location and/or Storage Location

Apologies if you listed some of these above and I missed them.

One other thing I have done in a Filemaker database, is list each item from a set individually using many of the same fields you listed above. So far all the sets I have consist of individually boxed items with individual part numbers (or SKU's). I also have a field for Set Number (and Items In Set) that links to another table for the set itself. That consists of Set Information and a separate Set Screen (Filemaker calls them layouts) that when opened lists all the items in the set and set specific information. Hope that made sense? Easier done than said, I think.

The set idea may be too much for what you are doing in making something to fit the needs of many other people. It works (so far) for what I am doing here on my own, but I only have a few sets. I imagine there will be something that comes along that doesn't fit my mold someday? I suppose with many users that could be an ugly thing to have happen?

I would also volunteer to help you test your database. I am no expert on this stuff (far from it in fact) or trains either, but would do what I could to help.

Vic,

That is a great idea! I have that in my old excel (originally Lotus) version, not sure why I did not think of that.

rtr12,
The catalog, which lists many items from manufacturers has each set and it constituent pieces. I would actually have to find a specific example. I bulk loaded much of the data and have not added as much detail as I would have liked (yet). Quite a few of your suggested fields are in the system, but not all (I was not thinking about box condition, but I could see where that would be important to you guys)

You guys can check out the Catalog at www.centerrail.com do not register or try to login .. yet. I was in rush moving and then upgrading the website.

Sounds like you already have the set feature then. I am not sure I could make a Filemaker database like I ended up with from scratch. It's a hack from some of their samples and I just thought the set tracking was nice the way it ended up.

I am not a collector but from reading what others say here I decided to keep track of the boxes too. To many the box, shipping box and condition of each is important. Some of the boxes sell for more than the trains.

I took a look at the link and it looks nice so far. I guess you had the data from the manufacturers? That would be a huge help getting started. If you would like me to try anything when you get it to where you want it I would be happy to try.

I spent quite a bit of time over the weekend cleaning up road names. There were quite a few errors (spelling), most of these have been cleaned up, next is fixing missing road names from existing items. This is necessary in order to provide drop downs to make data entry faster.

Also here is list of current manufacturers, are there any additions that I need to make?
(Keep in mind O-Gauge 3-Rail)
Lionel
MTH
Atlas
Weaver
K-Line
Williams

Other current manufacturers off the top of my head

Sunset/3rd Rail

Mernards

SMR Trains

Don't know if you'd want to also include legacy names/companies like Marx, Pride Lines (Marx reproductions) or American Flyer (since they did do 3/16 scale in 3-rail O gauge for a time).

Thanks John,

Those have now been added.

I will have to drop them a line to see if they can send me past catalogs / data for input.

Don't forget Walter's RMT.

Industrial Rail

KMT

Rich-Art

John,

I took a tour of your catalog, and like it.  I can't think of any items to add other than those the other guinea gigs have suggested!  

ETS.

And normally I wouldn't hit spelling, but since this is going in a database: there is only one 'r' in Menards.

-Dave

I would be interested in trying out for you. The one suggestion that I have would be that you make the website & database mobile responsive. This way guys would be able to add items to their collection via their tablets while they are at the layout or even their smartphone. I build websites as a hobby too and this is key anymore. People just don't view things on their computers anymore. 

The one that is a great one to use is twitter bootstrap, http://www.getbootstrap.com. It is a boiler plate and very easy to use and figure out. I use it and love it. 

Hi John,

Don't forget manufacturers that are no longer with us...

Just cruise the Bay under O-Scale and after a few pages you'll get the idea.

KMT (Kris Model Trains)

AMT (American Model Trains)

AHM (made Casey Jones steamer & others)

AHM-Rivarossi

Williams by Bachmann

Marx

Plasticville (if you want to do structures, etc)

Industrial Rail

Ross

Gargraves

Pre War manufacturers (Ives, etc)

American Flyer (A.C.Gilbert)

Hudson Scale Products Co.

Intermountain

Crown Model Products

Right of Way Industries

The list goes on and I'm sure others will chime in here....

Best,

Dave

I am still adding to the list, but have to tuck the kids in, this is what I have so far:

I should have included a link in my earlier post.

ETS, Electric Train Systems from Czechoslovakia.

-Dave

I didn't see Ross on your list & Other/Misc. so something as RWB Red, White, Blue can be noted.

Jack

If you are looking for an old (69) Guinea Pig, I'm your man. Fully retired and retarded, but I really need an inventory system. E-mail in profile.

Thanks for tackling this very tough project.

Here is the beginning of the data entry UI. There will be 2 versions of this. The first is for data entry to the master catalog which holds data on all cataloged items. The second version will be for you to enter your inventory. If there is enough information you can allow the system to fill in information for you. The inventory UI will have additional field for you to track condition, the price you paid where you bought when you bought it etc. I have to knock out the 1 to many items first (One car may have many features)

John

Other that changing 69 to 67 I'm exactly the same as Roger Wasson.

And yes....Thanks for tackling this very tough project.

Larry

Hi John, I would be happy to be a "guinea pig".  A suggestion I have is to have a list alongside the wishlist of items that you have on preorder.  This list could also include the expected arrival date, and a button to move the item to the normal list once it has arrived.

Sign me up as a beta tester...thank you.

Here are the fields I have identified so far (for private collections). There are quite a few fields that are used for database housekeeping that I have removed to make it easier for non-tech folks. Please let me know if there are any that should be added. I should be able to start on the UI this week. (Not sure when the UI will be ready for testing)

easier for not tech folks

I sure like that remark John

Larry

You can sign me up, my e mail is in my profile.

When did Ross go away???

John G.,

QUOTE:

7. Your data is yours and only you can see your inventory / pictures. Per #6 you can opt-in to share what you want (anonymously)

while I can think that some people may find your service a good idea, I'm concerned about security of your website.

There is no website that can not be hacked and breached for information that is contained there.

I would be extremely hesitant of having my entire inventory of trains on any website.

What security precautions are you providing for those who list every single train and accessory they own on your website?

Personally, I would use one of the several "train inventory" database programs or create my own using Excel or Microsoft Word and save it to my computer (for updating) and save it to several thumb drives for backup.

Putting any important data on someone else's website service is dangerous and I would advise against it.

Don't believe me?   Ask TARGET STORES, Sony, American Airlines, numerous banks, credit card, insurance etc. etc. companies...  including the U.S. Government.

Just a word to the wise.

Suggestion:  Don't be a guinea pig!

I agree the only systems that can not be hacked are ones that are turned off (unplugged). There are ways to mitigate risk. First, all of the passwords are encrypted and I can not log in as you. Second, there will be a bit of obfuscation your account will be indirectly linked to your inventory. You would have to gain access to the database (we use minimum 36 character randomly generated passwords ) to be able to pull all of the records and make sense of the db structure. If and when we take payments we will use PayPal and your address will only be needed then (or you can send a check). Finally before we go live the entire site will be under an SSL which will help eliminate some forms of hacking. 

I have plenty of trains myself and I will be adding my inventory as part of the testing.

John,

fields to be considered should include: 

Gauge

Year Built

I could help you 'beta test' if you so desire.  Have experience with dBase and MS Access.  Have built smaller databases and use TrainMinder.

TrainMinder has some useful features but lacks building 'Reports' features

and is not supported.

email is in profile.

bruce

John,

If there is still room for additional testers, please add me to the list.

I can be a tester too.