I am often called upon by my customers to provide auction day, live online bidding. While, I work with a host of auction companies, I always use the same technology implementation. Live online bidding is best when used with a high speed internet connection. I often use an air card to accomplish this, despite the limitations of an air card (latency being the primary limitation). However, I often use a piece of technology intended for industrial applications.
The technology happens to be an expensive set of industrial ethernet radios (replacement cost close to $2,000.00). The radios broadcast an ethernet signal from one location to another. My current set has a range of 60 miles (clear line of sight). My experience is primarily in non-line of sight applications, and I’ve successfully used the radios at distances approaching a mile.
What the radios allow me to do is be completely mobile with the live online bidding. I’m able to be live in the sound truck or auction ring with high speed internet. Gone are the days of sitting in a back room with a two-way radio trying to hear the auctioneer selling, and relaying bids. Live online bidding with ethernet radios has become a seamless integration into the “normal” operations of live auction companies.
While the cost of the radios is a bit high, the benefits to a company that is regularly conducting live online auctions are high. The online bidders are no longer limited to lag times associated with multiple operators, and technology links. There is better communication between the auctioneer and the online operator, and as a result, increased online sales.