Stamp Collecting Software

I have been using Stamp Collecting Database (SCDB) for Windows for years, and earlier this year they announced that they were closing down the business and no future updates or support would be forthcoming. So, I'm looking for a new stamp collecting database program. StampManage by Liberty pops up most frequently on searches, as well as a number of others, some of which I'm not really sure are stamp collecting software programs.
I'm curious as to others' experiences and recommendations. I look at this as an opportunity to go back through my collection (1000's upon 1000's of stamps, so it may be a multi-year undertaking) and re-inventory all my stamps, re-evaluate quality and/or rarity, and generally get my collection in good shape.
Any feedback would be welcome.
Thank you. Alan

*** Moved by Staff to a more appropriate forum. ***

I recommend Stamp Manage for one simple reason (and as you have found out), the true cost of an app like this is the time that you have to invest to populate the database. This far exceeds to cost of the app itself and also can paint you into a corner (as you have found out) if the company is sold or goes away.

Stamp Manage is based upon Microsoft Access and it is easy to export all the data anytime you desire. Other stamp database apps make this either impossible or as a 'added cost functionality or service.

For me, this one fact outweighs all other variables when considering which stamp database app to use.
Don

I do not have the nous for Don's route.

I just take a scan of every stamp that passes my desk.
Use Windows Explorer type Hierarchy. (Image database)

In excess of 400,000 stamps, and I can find any stamp
in around 1.8 seconds.

Don,

Thank you for your response. I've been looking fairly closely at StampManage, and the one thing that seems to pop up most frequently on their forum in multiple entries hinges around quality controls. Apparently, users are finding omissions and errors quite frequently. Have you had that experience?

I know of no worldwide catalog or listing of stamps that does not have multiple errors. For me and since it is an editable database, I do not have any heartburn with errors since I can fix/modify the record at will. There is also the ability to add new fields to each record. I would only consider a database shortcoming something like an interface omission, query coding errors, or app instability. I have not found these things in Stamp Manage. Note that you will need Microsoft Access to take your interaction with the Stamp Manage database 'to the next level'.

I one significant downside that I found a few years ago is that Liberty's support was virtually non-existent. Since I have experience with database development and implementation, this was not an issue for me. And I am not sure if this situation still exists or if they have improved.

The ability for me to access the data that I have entered into Stamp Manage outside of their app makes most any other issue fairly insignificant for me. Even if a user only uses the Stamp Manage app through their interface, having the 'just in case' capability of accessing the hundreds of man hours that have been invested in data entry makes a good choice in my opinion.
Don

I use StampManage for reasons that Don listed regarding able to access outside the program and submit data I entered back to them. Since I collect worldwide the data in the program is worth the expense.

The responsiveness is definitely always quick. I have reported several basic bugs but Paul states could not be reproduced.

For me, the major use of any stamp database is that it must be portable and accessible anywhere. I need to know what I've got and what I want so that if I find myself at a stamp show or a rare stamp shop or even talking to stamp collecting friends at a meeting, I can whip out my phone and see what I'm looking for.

Although not task-specific, I use Excel. I can hyperlink to each stamp scan and its associated invoice. One can create as many fields as desired - I have 12 fields for each entry. I am not worried about Excel going away - maybe I am naive. I am sure the techies around here can name a dozen reasons why Excel is a poor platform for this task, but it works for me 100%.

Don,

Thank you for your feedback. I'm curious about your statement that "you will need Microsoft Access to take your interaction with the Stamp Manage database 'to the next level'." Doesn't Stamp Manage come with Access as its database engine? Or is it just a limited functions version and that I would need my own copy of Access for additional functionality?

Alan

Yes, the app has the Access engine included. But having MS Access allows you to take customizations to another level by adding your own queries, forms and reports.
Don

Just an FYI: I thought I saw on the WEB that Microsoft's latest update had an adverse action to Access app. Did you see or experience any issues with Access since their last update??/

I am running Access 2016 on WIn10 and WIn11 and have not had any issues.
Don

I'm running MS Office 2013 Professional (with Access) on Windows 11 and not having any problems. I just got a new laptop in June, and they all seem to come with a trial version of Office 365. I was advised to uninstall Office 365 before installing my licensed copy of Office 2013 or conflicts would arise.

Sadly all these solutions are Windows only solutions. I live in a household that only has Mac and Linux. What are my options?

There are some online offerings, but I think the monthly charge is too much.

You can run Office on Mac just fine, or there are versions for Linux that will run without issue.

I use StampCat. Not as robust as StampManage but does the job.
It uses MS Access as database engine so you can manipulate data as you wish.