How does the time-honored business of auctioneering gain from new technology? By enhancing the operation with astonishing new software called BidLive devised by a self-described “techie.”
Pat D’Angelo founded Alliance Commerce Inc., a software engineering company, in February 1999. A few months later he acquired a consulting company for its management that included some sharp IBM software minds. It also came with basic hosting accounts and knowledge for hosting Web sites.
D’Angelo had looked at a number of markets, the heavy equipment industry among them, and knew he could develop a more modern, unique plan for auction success.
“We went into business with the idea of building our own software products, designed for the Internet, to be delivered over the Internet in a couple of different vertical markets. We’re what’s called an application service provider/software engineering company — a skunkworks, if you will,” he explained. Skunkworks is a term Lockheed Martin had given one of its small group of engineers that developed highly sophisticated products for the military.
He continued, “Our software is a significant boost to auction sales,” he added. The auctioneer does not have to change the way he or she does business, except for the fact that they now have to be aware they have an Internet audience. A ring man watches a computer monitor than shows an Internet bid has come in for a particular item. It’s that simple.”
“Our software applications allow bidders from anywhere in the world to compete with the live audience that attends Ritchie Bros. and other auctions. Bidders interact via the Internet. We stream live audio and live video. It’s almost like being there.
“Our software doesn’t require any computer plugins or anything special for your computer. All you need is a Web browser and an internet connection. We send everything from our servers right to a control panel for all the bidders. All they do is click and that’s it. Everything else is controlled on our servers. The ease of use is extraordinary. Should the server go down in the midst of an auction, there is redundancy built in the system with mirrored servers. BidLive’s software is written to watch every transaction that comes in and sends it to two servers,” D’Angelo stated.
The challenge has always been that the world community particularly areas like South America, doesn’t have a good telecommunications interstructure, as well as no high-speed access. Using BidLive, the end user simply goes to a web site, clicks on a link, down comes the Java aplet for them to securely log in, and everything is secure and private. The code and function sits on a server in the United States. There is no coding, no need to download any new software, upgrade computers, buy a server or hire people to manage or maintain software. The software is configurable; BidLive does it all.
BidLive leaves the bidder qualifying up to the auction house, although they can make forms electronically to put on a Web site where anyone anywhere can fill out the paperwork to qualify. Once qualified, the bidder’s name and paddle ID is placed into BidLive, which has a live database. On auction day, the bidder goes to the company’s Web site, clicks on a window, and is presented with the user ID and password to log in with, which they were given by the auction house. The value to companies is that more bidders can be brought to the auction, and the auctioneer has complete control.
Not only profitable, but fun, a bidder can sit in their office or home, listen to the auctioneer, watch all the bids fly by, then click their mouse to implement their bid. An e-mail is then sent. “Congratulations, winner. Here’s what you bought.” The bidder can then continue.
The technology is so advanced it completes in sub-seconds, faster than a bidder can raise their paddle. It’s truly “real time.”
They are working on advancements that include text and monies being displayed relative to the country in which the bidder is active.
BidLive is another avenue in which to sell goods bringing rewards, rather than having equipment sitting in a warehouse. The entire process is hardly intrusive, and serves to increase company earnings with efficiency.
