Customer stories


Ackerman Galleries

Fine art galleries in Hawaii use FileMaker Pro 7 image linking capabilities to generate illustrated personalized mailings for patrons.

Art from the beautiful Hawaiian Islands—that’s the specialty at Ackerman Galleries. With two locations on the Big Island of Hawaii, the galleries offer original oil paintings by Gary Ackerman in one and a variety of Hawaiian and Pacific Rim arts, crafts and jewelry in the other. From humble beginnings some 25 years ago in a retrofitted gas station, the galleries today attract an international array of visitors and patrons—and they all benefit from the powerful data-management of a newly created FileMaker Pro 7 database system.


Business challenges

When the Ackerman Galleries recently replaced their old computer system with a Windows XP machine, there was an unanticipated crisis. “Our previous database files couldn’t be opened with any of the new software,” recalls the galleries' art director Linda Petrucelli. As the time was right for a new, upgraded database Petrucelli seized that opportunity to introduce Ackerman Galleries to FileMaker Pro 7

“We needed something relatively easy,” comments Petrucelli, “because as their art director I needed to get it up and running quickly.” The goal was a simple but efficient system for organizing client and patron contact information, keeping a comprehensive inventory of artwork on hand and artwork sold, and documenting exhibitions mounted by the gallery.

Petrucelli set to work—and soon had the system in place. “It had been years since I’d used any kind of database software,” she admits, “and I was a bit intimidated at first. But I was really pleased that FileMaker Pro 7 comes with good documentation—real books, not inconvenient PDF files or website text—and the instructions were clear and helpful, making it very easy to learn the system. I honestly didn’t know the difference between a field and a table when I started, but I followed the instructions and it was easy to put together the database we wanted.”


Successful solution

Petrucelli’s FileMaker Pro 7 solution is small but powerful. A single file contains contact information for the galleries' regular clients and patrons, as well as information on visitors who stop by the crafts store. “We have a few thousand names and addresses on file,” says Gary Ackerman, “and we collect about 20 or 30 more every day. Our fine arts gallery maintains our list of important patronswe've added about 50 per year for the past 25 years—and the list is constantly growing.”

Especially useful is the ability of FileMaker Pro 7 to link image files to database records. Fields in every record in the database allow the galleries' staff to quickly document clients' preferences, and to alert them when a new piece of artwork is available that they might appreciate.


"We’re now looking into using FileMaker Pro 7’s publishing capabilities, and we're only just beginning to see the possibilities. We already publish cards, fine art images, catalogs—and now we’re looking to publish a book."

—Gary Ackerman, owner, Ackerman Galleries


Customer benefits

The new database works perfectly with the Ackerman Galleries' Windows XP computer systemand allows a highly individualized, personalized approach to client and patron contact. “We’re able to send out cards reminding folks of new arrivals,” Ackerman explains, “and we can make it personal by including their names. The fine arts gallery can use these cards to send out images of the latest works, and announce, for example, that prints are available. Our database has been upgraded with references, so that when a client appears at our door, we know their preferences.”

That responsiveness means a more personalized experience for the client —helping to turn casual browsers into return buyers. The gallery benefits, and so does the client. “I know our competitors are less organized,” Ackerman adds. “We’re now looking into using FileMaker Pro 7’s publishing capabilities, and we're only just beginning to see the possibilities. We already publish cards, fine art images, catalogs—and now we’re looking to publish a book.”

Linda Petrucelli is very pleased with her FileMaker Pro 7 solution, and she sums up the experience quite simply: “Our archives never looked better.” Ackerman agrees, "With FileMaker," he says, "Linda has made all our files very accurate and enhanced our abilities ten fold."



Contact information

Contact Info for Customer:

Gary Ackerman
Owner
Ackerman Galleries
808-889-5971
ack4art@hialoha.net
http://www.ackermangalleries.com


Filemaker Contact:

Kevin Mallon
Public Relations Manager
FileMaker Inc.
408-987-7227
kevin_mallon@filemaker.com
http://www.filemaker.com


Overview
  • Artist Gary Ackerman's two galleries selling fine art, gifts and jewelry.
  • Based in Kohala, HI.
  • Approximately 5 employees.
Industry
  • Creative Services
  • Creative Markets
  • Information Technology
  • Small Business
Solutions
  • Image-linked preferences generate personalized mailings for clients and patrons.
  • Keep image-linked running inventory of artworks on hand or in exhibits, as well as keep an archive of sold works.
Benefits
  • Clients receive personalized attention based on past purchases.
  • Illustrated information on all works handled by the database application.
  • FileMaker Pro 7 graphics capabilities allow for easy creation of attractive, artistic mailings and promotional literature.