The Specify Software Project is currently working hard on Specify 6 for delivery mid-year 2008, a multi-operating system (Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux) collection management platform for managing biodiversity collection data, with web and DiGIR interfaces, Google-like database searches and an improved look and feel for easy navigation and use.

Responding to feedback from users at the 120+ collections that use Specify as their primary database software, this major release incorporates many usability and interface refinements to existing functions as well as the addition of new features, to make collections data management more efficient and productive.

Since 1987, the Specify Software Project and its predecessor have supported collections managers and curators with software and a variety of helpdesk and data management services with grant support from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Specify software, training, data and helpdesk services are available at no cost to biological research collections.

Our roadmap for Specify is aimed at embedding biological collections data processing into the emerging web service architectures in environmental biology--to increase productivity, network integration and research impact for zoological museums and herbaria.