Shared Inventory Database

About/The Basics

•  The online software and associated administration does have a cost associated with it. We have received funding that will allow us to completely cover the cost of the software for the time being.  Eventually, we may have to split that cost amongst participating companies, but we are working to keep the fee as low as possible. We hope that the low fee and the financial benefit of increased rentals will make it well worth the cost. For now, however the software is completely free to list items and search for unlimited items.
  
  

• It will always be free to view the inventory via a login at dvc.stagestock.com
  
  

Username: freeviewer

Password: givemestuff

• We have developed guidelines/suggestions with the group's best interest in mind, but ultimately each individual company gets to set its own policies, rental rates, etc.
  
  

• There is no requirement for companies to upload their entire inventory. They can upload as little (or as much) as they want, as slowly or as quickly as they want. That being said, the more items they include, the more likely someone will find exactly what they need and request a rental.
  
  

• We understand that uploading items to the inventory is work and that it takes someone’s time. We recommend:

  1. Starting with a few big ticket items that might be difficult to find. These items are more likely to be of value to another producer.

  2. Uploading items in summary. For example, if you have a lot of chairs, just make one item called chairs and attach a couple pics that represent your inventory. That way seekers will find you when they search for chairs but you don't need to waste time uploading or maintaining lots of individual items. 

  3. The Resource Sharing Committee is donating its time to inventory and upload items for companies. Please reach out to us (info@philadelphiascenicworks.org ) if you are interested in the that service!

• Ultimately, it is up to each company to determine how they enter their data. We ask that if a company is asking someone to donate their time to do this work for free, that the company makes explicitly clear to the individual that they are performing a volunteer service.
  
  

• While this initiative is being spearheaded by theatres, we do not intend to limit it to companies, or even just to the theater industry. We want to encourage anyone or might be interested in sharing physical resources to participate!