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Many thanks for your comments. Negative experiences are helpful too! Regards Julian REYNOLDS, Trevor wrote: > Julian > > We flirted with the idea of barcodes in the late 1980s. My predecessor > had barcodes printed for a large part of our archaeology/architectural > stonework collection and purchased some barcode readers. Unfortunately > the project was not well planned and we never reached a stage where the > barcodes were actually used although many were stuck to objects and > boxes. The main reasons for the failure were: > > - There was no link between the barcode reader software and the > collections management software > - The organisations IT infrastructure was not ready > - There was no acceptable way to attach the barcodes to many objects (in > fact a large proportion of the barcodes which were attached have since > fallen off) > > We have no plans to try again with barcodes or Rfid tags largely because > the upfront investment in infrastructure and staff time is would be so > massive that it would never get approval (a bit like the Stonehenge > Tunnel). > > Trevor Reynolds > Collections Registrar > English Heritage 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ > postal address English Heritage 1 Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, London > EC1N 2ST > Telephone +44 (0) 207 973 3482 > > -----Original Message----- > From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of > Julian Tomlin > Sent: 12 December 2007 08:41 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Reviewing Machine Readable Labelling Systems - barcodes, rfid > tags etc > > [Apologies for cross-posting] > > I have been appointed as a consultant by the London Museums Hub to > undertake a review of machine readable labelling systems in collections > management and access in museums, libraries and archives (focusing > mainly on museums). The results will be published in the form of a > report and this is expected to contain four case studies. > > I would be grateful if colleagues could contact me, on or off list, to > share their experience of these technologies. I am interested in past, > current and future applications, in the UK and abroad, and good and bad > experiences. > > I am building a database of institutions that have used, or are planning > > to use barcodes and rfid tags to monitor object movements and enhance > visitor access. Initial research has identified well-documented trials > at the Great North Museum, Newcastle and the Petrie Museum, London > amongst others. > > I understand that it is a busy time of year so just a brief response for > > now would be great, and I can contact you again in January. > > Many Thanks > > Julian Tomlin > ************************************************** For mcg information and to manage your subscription to the list, visit the website at http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk **************************************************