Software
Our programs are ModesXML, MODES for Windows and Catalist.
All three offer a flexible framework for the entry, updating and effective use of your information. Particular support is offered for museum and archival cataloguing, and for museum collections management.
Some key features are:
- data entry: create structured catalogue records efficiently, with templates to ensure consistent structure, and constants for commonly-occurring information;
- data quality: support to ensure all records have a valid structure; syntax checks for names and dates; termlists for vocabulary control;
- searching: multiple user-defined indexes allow instant access to relevant data; support for complex boolean searches; ability to hand-pick records;
- navigating your data: order your data by any index; sort records by the content of selected fields;
- viewing data: view and print selected fields in grid view; view and print data in any number of user-defined report formats; multi-stage reports;
- multimedia: associate any number of images, sound files, video, documents, etc. with your records; view images in multimedia and grid views;
- data import and export: flexible import facilities and a wide range of data export options.
ModesXML
ModesXML is the latest version of MODES. It is a client-server system which allows an unlimited number of users to share a data file over a network. It can also be installed as a single user program on a standalone computer.
ModesXML offers generally improved performance and ease of use. For example, the 'separator' characters traditionally used to structure MODES data are no longer required in ModesXML.
ModesXML is a SPECTRUM Compliant system.
Hardware requirements
The ModesXML Server requires a Windows server operating system, such as Windows 2003 or Windows 2008, with a minimum 1GB of RAM. Performance will be enhanced by using a dedicated server and a fast network (for example 100Mbit).
The ModesXML Client will run on Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 with at least 512MB of RAM.
ModesXML can be installed on a standalone computer running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 with at least 512MB of RAM.
MODES for Windows and Catalist
MODES for Windows and Catalist will not run on 64-bit versions of Windows. Therefore, whilst we continue to provide full support and training for existing users, we can no longer supply MODES for Windows and Catalist to new users.
Upgrading from MODES for Windows
Data can be migrated easily from MODES for Windows into ModesXML.
Compare ModesXML with MODES for Windows »
We recommend that you contact us to arrange a data health check prior to conversion. This will identify any problems in your existing data which might cause data to transfer incorrectly. We may recommend data cleaning work before you migrate your data.
Catalist is changing!
We will soon be releasing Modes Compact as a replacement for Catalist. It will run on the latest 64-bit operating systems, and will be even easier to use than Catalist.
The program will offer many new and enhanced features:
- modern interface
- templates for archaeology, art, social history, photographs, geology and natural history collections
- import and export data
- record accessions and loans etc
- use long file names for images
- print and export images
- produce PDF copies of records and email them
- 'print preview' screens for reports and exports
- customise grids
- no special character conventions
Most settings, such as record templates, indexes, outputs and validation settings will be pre-defined and cannot be modified by the user. This makes Modes Compact particularly straightforward to install and use.
Upgrading from Catalist
Catalist data will transfer automatically into Modes Compact.
How do they compare?
| ModesXML (networked) | ModesXML (single user) | Modes Compact | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concurrent access to same database |  |
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| Import & export data | |
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| Multimedia attachments: image, sound, video, text & documents in any format | |
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| PDF publication | |
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| Email publication | |
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| Set access levels (administrator, power-user, editor, read-only) | |
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| Customise grids | |
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| Customise outputs and reports | |
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| Create & customise indexes | |
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| Create termlists | |
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| Modify termlists | |
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| Customise validation | |
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| Create new data files | |
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| Create new record templates | |
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| Create & modify constants | |
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| Website access (ModesCGI) | |
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How do they compare with other software?
Compare our systems with other SPECTRUM Partners:
Collections Trust software survey - SPECTRUM Partners' systems »
What do they cost?
Because the MUA is a not for profit company, we keep the costs of software purchase, support and training to a minimum, for the benefit of our members. MUA software and services are available only to MUA members.
ModesXML | |
| Software | |
| Multi-user licence up to five users including support and subscription for 12 months | £2000+VAT |
| Multi-user licence up to five users upgrade from MODES for Windows | £1000+VAT |
| Each additional user | £200+VAT |
| Each additional user upgrade from MODES for Windows | £100+VAT |
| Single-user licence including support and subscription for 12 months | £1000+VAT |
| Single-user licence upgrade from MODES for Windows | £500+VAT |
| ModesXML / MODES for Windows annual support fee and subscription to MUA | |
| Single user / screen | £117.50+VAT |
| Two users / screens | £167.50+VAT |
| Three users / screens | £217.50+VAT |
| Four users / screens | £267.50+VAT |
| Five users / screens | £317.50+VAT |
| Each additional user / screen (up to ten) | £50+VAT |
| Ten users / screens | £567.50+VAT |
| Each additional user / screen (more than ten) | £10.50+VAT |
Modes Compact | |
| Software | |
| Pre-order the new version of Catalist (for release in September 2010) including support and subscription for 12 months | £500+VAT |
| Modes Compact / Catalist annual support fee and subscription to MUA | |
| Each screen | £46.50+VAT |
Revised 2 July 2010
User: ModesXML charges are based on the number of concurrent users of the program. The program can be installed on an unlimited number of computers.
Screen: MODES for Windows and Catalist charges are based on the number of 'screens', or the number of computers on which the program is installed.
Upgrade: Upgrade prices are offered only to current members of the MUA, by payment of support fees for the current year.