A microcomputer database has been designed to house accession or acquisition information for single specimens and collections of mammal specimens. Location and status fields in the accession database permit the tracking of physical location, stage of preparation, curation, and data automation of specimens. Single specimen data from the accession database can be directly uploaded to the departmental collection database. The system optimizes the efficiency with which departmental staff are able to perform their functions related to specimen processing. It also serves to integrate specimen documentation, processing, and data automation activities.