About
PastPerfect Online is a cloud-hosted collection-sharing platform designed for museums, archives, libraries, and historical societies that want to make their collections publicly accessible on the web. Developed by PastPerfect Software, Inc., the platform allows institutions to upload tens of thousands of catalog records and present them through a branded, searchable online portal. The platform offers multiple ways for visitors to explore collections: a Keyword Search scans hundreds of fields across thousands of records, an Advanced Search lets users target specific field types (such as Name or Category) for precision results, a Browse By Term option supports taxonomic exploration, and a Random Images feature encourages serendipitous discovery of rarely-seen artifacts. Museum staff can highlight featured items through curated monthly exhibits shown in the virtual Main Hall, and visitors can submit feedback directly from catalog record pages. Reproduction requests can also be handled through the platform's contact workflow. PastPerfect Online integrates directly with the PastPerfect desktop collections management software, making the transition from local catalog to public-facing website seamless. It is scalable from small community museums to large institutions sharing over 100,000 records, and it remains one of the most widely adopted online collection-publishing solutions in the cultural heritage sector. Pricing information is available on the museumsoftware.com website.
Key Features
- Keyword & Advanced Search: Visitors can search across hundreds of fields using keywords, phrases, wildcards, or field-specific advanced queries to find exactly what they need.
- Browse By Term: Allows users to explore collections through structured taxonomic terms, making it easy to navigate large, categorized datasets.
- Random Images Discovery: A unique feature that surfaces random artifacts from the collection, helping visitors serendipitously discover rarely-seen items.
- Curated Featured Exhibits: Staff can spotlight select artifacts or archival items each month in the virtual Main Hall, creating an engaging rotating exhibit experience.
- Visitor Feedback & Reproduction Requests: Built-in feedback forms and reproduction request workflows let institutions engage directly with the public through the catalog.
Use Cases
- A local history museum publishes its entire artifact catalog online so community members can browse and search the collection from home.
- An archive uses PastPerfect Online to make thousands of digitized photographs and documents discoverable to remote researchers.
- A library shares its special collections online, enabling scholars worldwide to search and identify items for research without visiting in person.
- A historical society uses the featured exhibit feature to highlight seasonal or thematic items and drive engagement with their online audience.
- A museum connects its existing PastPerfect desktop catalog to PastPerfect Online to launch a public-facing collection website with minimal additional data entry.
Pros
- Scalable for Any Collection Size: Handles anywhere from 1,000 to over 100,000 records, making it suitable for small local museums and large institutional archives alike.
- Seamless PastPerfect Integration: Connects directly with the PastPerfect desktop software, allowing institutions to publish their existing catalogs without re-entering data.
- Multiple Search Modes: Keyword, advanced, browse-by-term, and random image search give visitors flexible ways to explore collections.
Cons
- No Online Reproduction Fulfillment: Reproduction requests cannot be completed directly through the platform; visitors must contact the institution separately by email.
- Niche Use Case: Purpose-built for cultural heritage institutions; not suitable as a general-purpose document or asset management platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of institutions use PastPerfect Online?
PastPerfect Online is used by museums, archives, libraries, and historical societies that want to share their artifact and archival collections with the public on the web.
How many records can PastPerfect Online handle?
The platform is scalable and can support anywhere from 1,000 to over 100,000 collection records, making it appropriate for institutions of all sizes.
Does PastPerfect Online integrate with PastPerfect desktop software?
Yes. PastPerfect Online is designed to work in conjunction with the PastPerfect desktop collections management software, allowing institutions to publish their existing catalogs directly to the web.
Can visitors request reproductions of items through the platform?
Reproduction requests are not fulfilled online. Visitors can contact the institution by email to request reproductions and review the institution's reproduction policy.
Where can I find pricing for PastPerfect Online?
Pricing and product information are available at museumsoftware.com/pponline.html, or by contacting PastPerfect Software, Inc. directly at [email protected].
