What is the Specify Collections Consortium?
The Specify Collections Consortium (SCC), founded in 2018, is a collaborative, open-source software community of engaged collection institutions with a vision to advance research and education uses of biological specimen and sample information. A Board of Directors, along with Research and Technology Advisory Committees drawn from member institutions, govern the Consortium and determine its software and technical service priorities. The Consortium advances the interests of its members through engineering, deployment, and support of software technologies that facilitate the creation, curation, discovery, and scientific utilization of the information and knowledge associated with biological collections.
The consortium produces the Specify Collection Management System and offers related technical services for processing the data associated with specimens and samples in biological collections used for research. We have partnered with natural history museums and biological repositories for more than 30 years. Today, Specify handles research data at biological collections institutions and consortia around the globe.
What Software Does Specify Offer?
Specify 7 
The Specify Software Project is pleased to offer Specify 7, a web implementation of our biological collections data management platform. Specify 7 server code is open source and available from GitHub.
We encourage members to use our Dockerized compositions of Specify 7. You can choose a version, make the necessary adjustments and then run a single command to get everything working. It is very simple and can be easily updated when new versions are released. Members can contact us at support@specifysoftware.org to gain access to this repository.
The new generation of Specify combines the interface design components and data management foundation of Specify 6 with the efficiency and ease-of-use of web-based data access and cloud computing. The Specify 7 web application uses the same interface layout language as Specify 6, so any user interface customization made in one product is mirrored in the other. Also Specify 6 and Specify 7 use the same data model and can work from the same Specify MySQL database, which means they can be run simultaneously with any Specify collection. By providing an easy migration path to the web, Specify 7 helps transition Specify 6 collections to cloud computing. It is also a great starting platform for collections which prefer zero workstation software installation and ubiquitous web browser access.
Specify 7’s server/browser architecture open the door for computing support of collaborative digitization projects and for remote hosting of institutional or project specimen databases. Without the need for a local area or campus network to connect to the MySQL data server, Specify 7 gives you and your collaborators access to a shared specimen database through any web browser. Without adequate IT support to maintain a secure database server? With the Specify 7 server software supported on generic Linux servers, museums can utilize a server hosting service to provide support for the technical complexities of systems administration, security management, and backing-up. Want to create a joint database with remote collaborators for a collaborative digitizing effort? No problem! Host, hire a hosting service or use our Specify Cloud service for your Specify database, set up accounts and go. We provide the same efficient user interface and printed reports and labels customization, and help desk support for Specify 7 as we do for Specify 6.
Secure.
Support for Single Sign-On (SSO) integrates Specify 7 with a campus or institutional identity providers. It supports all identity providers (IdPs) that have an OpenID endpoints.
The Security and Accounts tool allows administrators to give access based on roles and policies. Create, edit, and copy roles among collections and databases. Administrators can give users as many or few permissions as desired, from guest accounts to collection managers.
Accessible.
It is important that web applications work for people with disabilities. Specify 7 is developed with this top of mind, not only meeting international accessibility standards but also providing a better experience for everyone.
Specify 7 is largely compliant with the main WWW accessibility standard – WCAG 2.1 (AA). It supports screen readers and allows each user to customize their color scheme and appearance as well as reduce motion and resize all elements.
This accessible design respects system and web browser preferences for date formats, language, theme, and animations.
Specify 6 
Specify 6 is a database platform for museum and herbarium research data. It manages species and specimen information for computerizing biological collections, tracking museum specimen transactions, linking images to specimen records and publishing catalog data to the Internet. Specify 6 is written in Java for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux computers and uses the relational data manager, MySQL, as its data engine. Specify, Java, and MySQL are free and open-source. Specify 7 works with the same MySQL database design as Specify 6, they can run simultaneously on the same collection database.
Specify supports data from specimens, taxonomic and stratigraphic classifications, field notebooks, DNA sequence runs, literature references, as well as from other primary sources. It also manages the information associated with repository agreements, accessions, conservation treatments, collection object containers, images, and document attachments.
Data fields in Specify’s form windows can be selected, organized, re-named, and re-sized to suit your curatorial preferences and to eliminate the need for tabbing through multiple data forms. Specify’s “tree” data windows for taxonomy, geography, storage location, chronostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy provide intuitive access to hierarchical data for editing, drag-and-drop synonymization, re-parenting, and for discovering linked collection objects.
Retrieving data is facilitated by Specify’s full-text ‘Simple Search’. For complex fielded queries, the ‘Query Builder’ provides access to every data table and field. The Query Builder includes the expected complement of comparison operators for each search field, along with display, sort, distinct, and count options. Frequently-used query templates can be saved for quick re-execution. Records resulting from searches and queries may be exported to a Microsoft Excel format file, printed as labels or reports, or saved in a Specify ‘Record Set’. Record Sets are logical containers which hold links to batches of specimen records for later review or action.
Field or legacy bulk data uploads are supported from Microsoft Excel files through the Specify ‘WorkBench’. The WorkBench presents a spreadsheet data entry screen which checks and validates keystroked or uploaded data against your existing database content to improve incoming data quality. Specify 6 also provides embedded georeferencing with the Tulane University’s ‘GEOLocate’ service, custom printed label and report design, and specimen data exporting.
Specify Web Portal
For collections that need to publish their collections catalog information publicly, the Specify Web Portal is a full-featured web interface for read-only, public access to specimen data and images. It is an optional component of a Specify installation. Working from an exported copy of a Specify collection database, the Web Portal provides full-text indexed searches, structured, and spatial queries of specimen holdings. Express searches are fast, while structured queries allow precise specification of the search scope and support multi-field queries with AND or OR logic. Searches can be qualified to return only records with geo-coordinates or with attached images.
The Specify Web Portal displays specimen information in three views–Records, Images, and Maps. On the “Records” tab specimen data are shown in a traditional grid view. The choice and number of data fields to display in the web interface is determined by each collection, and web users can sort and re-arrange data columns during a session. The search panel is customizable with an institutional logo or brand image, and pages can be embedded into institutional content management systems or web platforms by a web programmer.
The Specify Web Portal is an effective tool for publishing specimen data. Specify’s Schema Mapper and Data Export tools make issuing updates to the web portal from a Specify collection database easy. The Web Portal is intended for institutional web server computers; setup requires the technical expertise of a server admin. Installation information is available on Github.
Specify Cloud
The Specify Cloud hosting service provides access to Specify 7 databases including linked media file attachments, through any web browser with no Specify or MySQL software to install or database server computer to maintain. With Specify Cloud, we pre-install Specify 7 on a fast, high-availability, internet server to create a secure, managed platform for hosting and serving your collection data.
Is Specify Free?
Both Specify 6 and Specify 7 are entirely free to download and use. Specify is licensed under the GNU General Public License 2.0 (License).
Joining the Specify Collections Consortium as a member enables individual collections or entire institutions to receive incredible support, help with data conversion and importing, form customization, label and report creation, and unlocks hundreds of exclusive pieces of documentation for IT staff and users.
See the Source Code
Joining the Consortium
Members of the Specify Collections Consortium sustain the software, maintenance, and support services of the Specify Software Project. A commitment to join the consortium ensures continuous access to all technical support services.
Please contact us at membership@specifysoftware.org to join us!
Consortium Membership Levels and Benefits
Luminary Member – $150,000/year
Our Luminary tier builds on Visionary Membership to deliver the highest level of influence and support within the Specify Collections Consortium. Institutions at this level play a leading role in governance and enjoy the broadest technical services and testing privileges. Appropriate for multiple organizations and collections, numbers to be determined by mutual agreement in proportion to your institution’s size and needs.
- Three permanent seats on the SCC Board of Members
- One permanent seat on each SCC standing committee (Science & Technology)
- Limited-time “Global Testing” privileges for hosted members
Visionary Member – $100,000/year
Visionary Members help steer Consortium priorities while gaining extended technical resources and testing rights. This level shares many of the governance and support perks of Luminary, scaled for multiple organizations and up to 40 collections.
- Two permanent seats on the SCC Board of Members
- One permanent seat on each SCC standing committee (Science & Technology)
- Limited-time “Global Testing” privileges for hosted members
Foundation Member – $44,000/year
Foundation Members assume a central leadership role, guiding the Consortium’s strategic direction and technical roadmap. You’ll collaborate closely with Specify staff and enjoy robust support across multiple collections. Appropriate for one institution and up to 30 collections.
- Two permanent seats on the SCC Board of Members
- One permanent seat on each SCC standing committee (User & Technology)
- Limited-time “Global Testing” period for one hosted database
Catalyst Member – $25,000/year
Catalyst Membership is ideal for institutions ready to accelerate their digitization efforts. You get direct governance input plus hands-on technical support for growing your collections program. Appropriate for up to 20 collections.
- One permanent seat on the SCC Board of Members
- One permanent seat on one SCC standing committee (User or Technology)
Full Member – $5,500/year per collection
Full Members actively shape Consortium activities and receive comprehensive technical services for their collections. This level is perfect for collections that want proactive engagement without the larger governance commitments.
- Access to rotating seats on the SCC Board of Members
- Priority for one seat on an SCC standing committee (User or Technology)
- Full access to the Consortium help desk for a collection
Associate Member – $1,100/year per collection
Associate Membership offers core support and collaborative opportunities, ideal for institutions advancing their data-mobilization initiatives.
- Access to rotating seats on SCC standing committees (User, Technology)
- Full access to the Specify forum, help documentation, and training videos
- Two onboarding webinars for new members
- Access to the Consortium’s annual Work Plan
- Access to all Specify software tools and updates
- Incidental access to the Consortium help desk
Institutions using Specify
Our Founding Partners:
- The University of Kansas
- Florida Museum of Natural History
- University of Michigan
- Danish Natural History Museums
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas
- Le Muséum d’histoire naturelle de Genève
Full Members
- Paleontological Research Institute
- Royal Botanic Garden Victoria
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Natural History Museum of Geneva
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
- Queensland Dept. of Environment and Science
- Natural Science Collections Facility, SANBI
- Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates
- Western Australia Herbarium
Any many more member collections and institutions.