Heineken
In its long existence, Heineken has built a substantial historical archive. In addition to a variety of brewery attributes, the collection comprises a great deal of historic advertising material, old photos, glasses, bottles, labels, et cetera. The total collection is about 18,000 distinct objects. Over the years, however, this archive has lost structure and the collection was scattered over various locations.
In 2000, Alexander Plas of Enterprise & Art prepared a plan to completely re-structure the archive, making it digitally accessible. In twelve months, each object in the archive is identified, cleaned, digitally photographed, and defined, before being stored away in an entirely renovated archive room. All objects are entered into the worldwide applicated "Museum System" and the majority of the collection can now be consulted via computer at Heineken.
The system is actively used to furbish the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam and for PR activities organized by other Heineken divisions. In future, the complete collection will be accessible via the internet.
The
famous Medaille d'Or, won by Heineken in 1875 on
the Exposition Internationale in Paris, which van be seen since that time
on all Heineken labels
 |
Anne
Sietske Stapel, |
"Just
imagine, your services are engaged to inventory the collection of
a corporate museum. A good gig as it involves registering, photograohing,
and finally putting on The Museum System's digital media, the entire
collection of broadly ranging items connected with beer brewing
and selling. This called for clever tactics! Alexander Plas and
his team get to work organizing a professional digital photostudio
linked to the database computers. The result is impressive, with
over 15,000 items professionaly photographed, registred, labeled
and physically stored in the new depot. |
Mainscreen
of The Museum System
The location which now houses the archive for small items, contained for many years the largest part of the collection