Aston Barclay has launched a new Vendor App, giving vendors real-time mobile control of their auction.

It is part of the Auction company’s drive to provide digital technology to its customers.

The new App empowers vendors to control and manage their auction in real time remotely from anywhere in the world, with the option to switch to ‘Vendor Mode’ as soon as their vehicles are offered for sale.

This includes being able to send a direct message to the auctioneer during a sale to accept a reserve bid, or to answer a buyer question. Real-time sales data is also planned for roll-out in phase two later in 2018.

The App also enables vendors to target buyers with push notifications, the first of which was delivered to App users in January.

Further planned updates will enable vendors to share video clips with potential buyers.

“We believe it’s the first time a physical auction business has hooked up buyers and vendors digitally, with vendors already looking at ways to engage with buyers,” explained Neil Hodson, Aston Barclay’s CEO.

“Being able to send an auctioneer a message remotely during the sale has proven a big hit with vendors who have piloted the App. It means they do not have to attend every auction, but still have the power to engage with the rostrum and buyers,” he added. 

Mobile transactions continue to grow across the group with 5,000 buyers having now downloaded the Buyer App and up to 30% of bids now being made via the App across core market segments.

Six months after introducing SpinCar inspection technology, buyers are viewing cars online for 15% longer thanks to its 360-degree view of the car’s exterior and interior and unique zoom facility.

A revamp of the group website is also ready for roll-out which enables remote buyers to logon and access stock more quickly directly from the home page.

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