AlpaFarm can import the IAR Database, even in Trialware*. (The IAR database is the International Alpaca Registry of Australia and New Zealand.) All you need to do is purchase the data** directly from the Australian Alpaca Association, Inc. (AAA). Email an order enquiry.

The IAR Database Import Wizard imports the entire IAR Database. In excess of 50,000-odd animal records are imported directly into the Alpaca Master File (and Herd Prefixes file). You can then sort all these records by animal name, full animal name, ident number, sex, date of birth, colour, status, activity, or IAR number. The remainder of the IAR Database is imported into the AlpaFarm Database although for the moment this other imported data is not actually accessible to you the user.

While we are in the process of further improving the IAR Import facility, we are interested in hearing about the uses to which the aggregate data can be put. What would YOU like to see?

 * Australian and New Zealand versions only.
** All members of the AAA may purchase the IAR database, which costs $110 inc. GST and comes on a CD. The data are up-to-date as of the Monday following placement of your order and confirmation of payment.

Purchase a set of data from the Australian Alpaca Association, Inc. (AAA). Email an order enquiry.

Download and install AlpaFarm with the IAR Import facility.

With AlpaFarm open, select Tools : IAR Database Import Wizard from the AlpaFarm menu.

The following window will appear:

Follow the onscreen instructions carefully. Should you have the AAA's floppy disk set, it is very important that these are inserted in the right order.

Once the data have been imported, select Alpacas : Alpacas from AlpaFarm's main menu. This will open the Alpaca Master File and display the entire database.

NOTES:

• There are over 50,000 records to display in the Alpaca Master File, so there could be a delay of some seconds (depending on the speed of your computer) while the table is loaded
• Existing data you have entered manually will not be overwritten. Your data take priority when AlpaFarm detects duplicate records
• Essentially, IAR records will not be added if your existing data contain a record with the same Ident Number, or IAR Number, or animal Full name. The precise criteria are more technical than this, but probably won't affect you
• AlpaFarm's IAR Database Import Wizard automatically backs up your Alpaca and Herd Prefix data in the directory backup.iar in your installation directory. This is in addition to the regular backup in backup which occurs each time you exit AlpaFarm
• The IAR Undo Wizard can remove all records added by the Import Wizard without removing your preexisting data. It can also retain imported records which you have since modified, giving you a mechanism to keep all the IAR records you want to keep and removing the ones you don't. You can repeat this cycle as many times as you like
• If you still have concerns about "losing" your data amongst the imported data, and don't wish to merge the IAR data with your own, but still would love to delve into the IAR data, you might choose to install the new AlpaFarm in a directory different to your current version and import the IAR data into that. In other words, have two installations of AlpaFarm running on your computer, one with your data and one with IAR data. (Only one shortcut icon will appear on your desktop, however, and it will point to the most recently installed version. Email us for help creating a second icon if you need it.)