Hi Mike, I have used this software for about 4 years now. For my needs it is really, really good. I like the interface on it, very intuitive and easy to learn. If you want to add your own images, or varieties not included in the database (hasn't happened often), it is possible to do so. I appreciate that with a couple of clicks I can see exactly what I have and what I need. All that being said, I will say that the support, if you need it, is very poor unfortunately. I would recommend buying the download version and saving the money on the disc. Last year the disc that I received (that took a month to arrive) was unreadable and after 3 emails I finally received a terse reply that a replacement was in the mail, no apology or otherwise...and the replacement took another month to arrive. Of course in the meantime I had discovered the download version worked with the serial number I had received...no difference between versions btw. Price wise it is a good value in comparison to other software I have come across.
I personally haven't used it to make the album pages so I can't comment on that, but overall if you want a good database with a nice interface, it works.
Hope this helps!
Jen
Thanks Jen,
I plan on shopping around a bit but the price and the description looked pretty good. Have you tried to update your program with the current years issues? Is there an additional fee?
There is updates to the program over the year for which there isn't any additional fee but its pretty limited as far as the most recent releases. Example, I just looked now and my database contains May 2011 for USA, and Jan 2011 for Canada. Its always your option to manually add stamps to the database, so if you were a limited # of countries collector, it would be fairly easy to keep up. I suspect they are motivated to make sure people buy the annual upgrades too =-).
I have been using Stamp Manage for about 5 years. Once you have the program then the new annual upgrade is about $25. Much of the database is user generated so there are errors but it is easy to correct them and add your own stamps and upload them for inclusion in new versions. I have sent them quite a bit as I add stamps to my database. Quite often I have been able to replace the existing stamp pictures with better ones of my own scans. You can put in a lot of different info. It is supposed to generate a lot of reports, or you can make your own custom reports. I haven't done much with that, or with the album page printing so can't comment on that. I see on their web site they have a separate stamp album design and printing program available now as well.
Brian
I have (briefly) looked at this software a couple of times, and wondered whether it would be worthwhile to use to manage specialized collections of a non-US country.
I'm really only interested in the database functions, as a way to keep a central inventory listing of the stamps in my collections.
I wouldn't mind using a program that doesn't have pre-filled information for stamps AS LONG AS it has a high degree of flexibility, as far as customizing and creating my own listings, go.
As an example of what I'd want to do, let's say I'd want to inventory my collection of town cancels from Sweden. It would involve only numbers 1-51, but could be 100's of the same Scott number, but each stamp with its own unique cancel (and unique image). I rely heavily on non-Scott catalogues. "Value" would be based not on "a VF stamp" but on the value/premium for the cancel. Ideally, the database would be able to "sort" first by Scott number (i.e. "Sweden #43") and then do a secondary sort of all the Sweden #43's by the name of town in the cancel.
Do those familiar with the software offhand know whether Stamp Manage could be configured to fairly efficiently manage such a database?
Thanks,
Peter
There is the option of a free 30 day fully functional trial version of StampManage. If you have a high speed internet connection you could try that. It is a big file to download.
Brian
Thanks Brian, that's a good idea... my connection is pretty fast. I'm also considering just writing to them to ask if there's a "template version" available, as I have absolutely no use for 66,000 images of US stamps... everything I'd ever place into the database would have my own custom image...
Cheers,
Peter
I scan my own stamps into it also but the included images help me locate the issue I need. I can never remember stamp catalog numbers (or most other numbers too)
Brian
Peter,
Have you ever considered creating your own database of stamps rather than purchasing one someone else created?
I am currently using Microsoft Excel to manage stamps I will sell. Excel 2010 will handle virtually unlimited information; it is very customizable, easily searchable and is very easy to use. I can borrow or create my own Visual Basic macros to do all kinds of neat things in Excel.
Microsoft Excel is technically a spreadsheet not a database but it is very close to being one.
Okay, Peter...
I have looked at StampManage and several other catalog programs and they all are locked into what the program developer decided the structure of the database should be. I was not pleased, because there was no opportunity for me to customize the database to my collecting needs. And, they are rather expensive! I finally came across a stamp catalog program from a company in England costing only £12.00 that offered an open source Microsoft Access database solution.
http://stamp-collector.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8537
The Stamp Collectors Database (Professional) from stamp-collector UK is completely open so one can modify it to their specific needs. I do a lot of MS Access programming, so this is perfect for me. I started cataloging my Worldwide Airmail collection using the Sanabria catalog as a reference, and the data input is fairly easy:
You can save 4 different pictures for each stamp. So, that could be the stamp front, Back, Overprint, watermark, any combination. There is a large image option to save pictures of covers.
I also added three other catalog fields, so I can cross reference Scott, Michel and SG for each of my stamps.
For your cancel collection, the program could be structured to look at the Scott number as a set, and each different cancel as a stamp in the set, complete with pictures for each cancel and descriptive information.
If somone wants a versatile catalog program, and has some computer database knowledge, I don't think I have found a more useful stamp program.
Terry:
Have you used this for covers (e.g. covers from a specific location or related to a given topic--I do NOT mean FDCs altho' the occasional FDC or event cover ends up in the collection). That is my problem, and I have to admit that my programming skills in Excel or any of the databases has only proven to be very frustrating and in the end not satisfactory.
Roger
I have used StampManage for many years and have over 73,000 stamps logged into it. It does have it's limitations, but serves me for what I want. You can add information about a particular stamp, but you have to have it entered as a single entity. There are some stamps that are not in their database and the worldwide is quite limited. There are improvements with every new release, but no customization by the user. They have a trial period you can use the software, but if just testing, I would not attempt to enter a ton of information. They also have a stamp page program, but I have never used it. I have my own program.
Terry,
I just read your post about The Stamp Collectors Database (Professional) this weekend and ordered my copy immediately!
I am very excited to receive my copy, however, wondering if you can answer a question about stamp values? How does one value their stamps using this database? Is it using the Stanley Gibbons values or does one have to hard enter the most recent catalog values manually from a catalog, such as the Scott Catalog?
Jeremy
I have been using StampManage for years. It has many fine features. It meets my needs better than MS Excel spreadsheets.
StampManage can be modified for a variety of collection needs, by adding records, updating information, adding personal scans of stamps and even deleting pictures in your copy of the application. This can be done for individual stamps or replace an entire folder of stamps, if desired. Information is accessible...
StampManage can even be organized for a collection that focuses on different postmark information of a single or several different Scott #. Each record can have a different individualized scan or other files associated with it. Information, including entered postmark information can be searchable and be available for custom reporting.
I've played with some of the reports and designed a few. They aren't too hard.
I'd recommend giving it a shot. All software has limitations. The free trial version will enable you see if it meets your needs.
If anyone is using this program can you provide your opinion on it's features, ease of use or areas you feel it is less then you hoped.
I would like to use this program to print my own album pages as well as catalog my current stamp inventory.
Thanks
Logistical Mike
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
Hi Mike, I have used this software for about 4 years now. For my needs it is really, really good. I like the interface on it, very intuitive and easy to learn. If you want to add your own images, or varieties not included in the database (hasn't happened often), it is possible to do so. I appreciate that with a couple of clicks I can see exactly what I have and what I need. All that being said, I will say that the support, if you need it, is very poor unfortunately. I would recommend buying the download version and saving the money on the disc. Last year the disc that I received (that took a month to arrive) was unreadable and after 3 emails I finally received a terse reply that a replacement was in the mail, no apology or otherwise...and the replacement took another month to arrive. Of course in the meantime I had discovered the download version worked with the serial number I had received...no difference between versions btw. Price wise it is a good value in comparison to other software I have come across.
I personally haven't used it to make the album pages so I can't comment on that, but overall if you want a good database with a nice interface, it works.
Hope this helps!
Jen
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
Thanks Jen,
I plan on shopping around a bit but the price and the description looked pretty good. Have you tried to update your program with the current years issues? Is there an additional fee?
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
There is updates to the program over the year for which there isn't any additional fee but its pretty limited as far as the most recent releases. Example, I just looked now and my database contains May 2011 for USA, and Jan 2011 for Canada. Its always your option to manually add stamps to the database, so if you were a limited # of countries collector, it would be fairly easy to keep up. I suspect they are motivated to make sure people buy the annual upgrades too =-).
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
I have been using Stamp Manage for about 5 years. Once you have the program then the new annual upgrade is about $25. Much of the database is user generated so there are errors but it is easy to correct them and add your own stamps and upload them for inclusion in new versions. I have sent them quite a bit as I add stamps to my database. Quite often I have been able to replace the existing stamp pictures with better ones of my own scans. You can put in a lot of different info. It is supposed to generate a lot of reports, or you can make your own custom reports. I haven't done much with that, or with the album page printing so can't comment on that. I see on their web site they have a separate stamp album design and printing program available now as well.
Brian
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
I have (briefly) looked at this software a couple of times, and wondered whether it would be worthwhile to use to manage specialized collections of a non-US country.
I'm really only interested in the database functions, as a way to keep a central inventory listing of the stamps in my collections.
I wouldn't mind using a program that doesn't have pre-filled information for stamps AS LONG AS it has a high degree of flexibility, as far as customizing and creating my own listings, go.
As an example of what I'd want to do, let's say I'd want to inventory my collection of town cancels from Sweden. It would involve only numbers 1-51, but could be 100's of the same Scott number, but each stamp with its own unique cancel (and unique image). I rely heavily on non-Scott catalogues. "Value" would be based not on "a VF stamp" but on the value/premium for the cancel. Ideally, the database would be able to "sort" first by Scott number (i.e. "Sweden #43") and then do a secondary sort of all the Sweden #43's by the name of town in the cancel.
Do those familiar with the software offhand know whether Stamp Manage could be configured to fairly efficiently manage such a database?
Thanks,
Peter
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
There is the option of a free 30 day fully functional trial version of StampManage. If you have a high speed internet connection you could try that. It is a big file to download.
Brian
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
Thanks Brian, that's a good idea... my connection is pretty fast. I'm also considering just writing to them to ask if there's a "template version" available, as I have absolutely no use for 66,000 images of US stamps... everything I'd ever place into the database would have my own custom image...
Cheers,
Peter
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
I scan my own stamps into it also but the included images help me locate the issue I need. I can never remember stamp catalog numbers (or most other numbers too)
Brian
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
Peter,
Have you ever considered creating your own database of stamps rather than purchasing one someone else created?
I am currently using Microsoft Excel to manage stamps I will sell. Excel 2010 will handle virtually unlimited information; it is very customizable, easily searchable and is very easy to use. I can borrow or create my own Visual Basic macros to do all kinds of neat things in Excel.
Microsoft Excel is technically a spreadsheet not a database but it is very close to being one.
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
Okay, Peter...
I have looked at StampManage and several other catalog programs and they all are locked into what the program developer decided the structure of the database should be. I was not pleased, because there was no opportunity for me to customize the database to my collecting needs. And, they are rather expensive! I finally came across a stamp catalog program from a company in England costing only £12.00 that offered an open source Microsoft Access database solution.
http://stamp-collector.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8537
The Stamp Collectors Database (Professional) from stamp-collector UK is completely open so one can modify it to their specific needs. I do a lot of MS Access programming, so this is perfect for me. I started cataloging my Worldwide Airmail collection using the Sanabria catalog as a reference, and the data input is fairly easy:
You can save 4 different pictures for each stamp. So, that could be the stamp front, Back, Overprint, watermark, any combination. There is a large image option to save pictures of covers.
I also added three other catalog fields, so I can cross reference Scott, Michel and SG for each of my stamps.
For your cancel collection, the program could be structured to look at the Scott number as a set, and each different cancel as a stamp in the set, complete with pictures for each cancel and descriptive information.
If somone wants a versatile catalog program, and has some computer database knowledge, I don't think I have found a more useful stamp program.
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
Terry:
Have you used this for covers (e.g. covers from a specific location or related to a given topic--I do NOT mean FDCs altho' the occasional FDC or event cover ends up in the collection). That is my problem, and I have to admit that my programming skills in Excel or any of the databases has only proven to be very frustrating and in the end not satisfactory.
Roger
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
I have used StampManage for many years and have over 73,000 stamps logged into it. It does have it's limitations, but serves me for what I want. You can add information about a particular stamp, but you have to have it entered as a single entity. There are some stamps that are not in their database and the worldwide is quite limited. There are improvements with every new release, but no customization by the user. They have a trial period you can use the software, but if just testing, I would not attempt to enter a ton of information. They also have a stamp page program, but I have never used it. I have my own program.
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
Terry,
I just read your post about The Stamp Collectors Database (Professional) this weekend and ordered my copy immediately!
I am very excited to receive my copy, however, wondering if you can answer a question about stamp values? How does one value their stamps using this database? Is it using the Stanley Gibbons values or does one have to hard enter the most recent catalog values manually from a catalog, such as the Scott Catalog?
Jeremy
re: Collecting Software-StampManage
I have been using StampManage for years. It has many fine features. It meets my needs better than MS Excel spreadsheets.
StampManage can be modified for a variety of collection needs, by adding records, updating information, adding personal scans of stamps and even deleting pictures in your copy of the application. This can be done for individual stamps or replace an entire folder of stamps, if desired. Information is accessible...
StampManage can even be organized for a collection that focuses on different postmark information of a single or several different Scott #. Each record can have a different individualized scan or other files associated with it. Information, including entered postmark information can be searchable and be available for custom reporting.
I've played with some of the reports and designed a few. They aren't too hard.
I'd recommend giving it a shot. All software has limitations. The free trial version will enable you see if it meets your needs.