Car Auction App
Car Auction App
Project overview

The platform for used cars helps to sell and buy autos across Europe. The web app is designed in the form of an auction, where users bid for the autos.

Car Auction App

Car Auction App
Client
The customer is the German company that owns the car selling platform.
Project Facts
Technologies: Azure, ASP.NET MVC, EF, HTML, JavaScript, JQuery, CSS, SignalR.
Project Duration: 80 Man-days
Project overview

The platform for used cars helps to sell and buy autos across Europe. The web app is designed in the form of an auction, where users bid for the autos.

Business Challenge

Creation of a reliable web application for trading used cars in the form of a 24/7 auction.

Solution

The software development team worked on the following parts of the functionality:

  • Authorization and authentication
  • Adding and removing cars for sale
  • Editing information
  • Adding photos
  • Searching engine within the Platform
  • Reporting system

In general, the car auction app is intended for two types of users: the seller of the car and the potential buyer.

For the sellers, the process on the website for used cars is as follows:

  • Registration and evaluation of the car. At this stage, the car is checked and evaluated, as well as all documents are verified.
  • Car auction. The action starts after seller confirmation and setting the starting price. So, the auto goes live and becomes available for potential sellers. The auction is valid for 24 hours. Additionally, the seller can review the proposition in real-time mode and see the views and bids.
  • Processing of the deal and auto handling. The car platform is the only contact point. The service takes care of all operations, including payment, processing documents, etc. The seller received the payment as soon as the buyer executed the transaction.

For the buyers, the process in the car auction app is as follows: 

  • Registration and searching for the needed car. The search offers a set of filters to select the auto according to the preferences. In addition, buyers can add cars to the watchlist and get notifications. 
  • Car buying. The buyer takes part in the auction. Although, he can save time using a digital bid agent. The buyer has a special dashboard, where he can review and manage all the trades.
  • Processing of the deal and auto handling. Car dealer software is the only contact point. The service after processing the payment helps to prepare all necessary documents and is responsible for transporting the car to the needed location.

Business Impact

The development team successfully implemented the service for car auctions. The customer already works several years on the market with this solution and it is still popular among car buyers and sellers. Among the benefits is that the service does all the work instead of people and helps to process the deals.

Other Car Software Solutions

In the era of digitalization, more and more services are moving online. If a few years ago the direct presence of a person was needed to receive service or consultation, now everything is different. Many applications allow you to search for a handyman, rent a bicycle or a dress, hire an assistant, sell real estate, and much more. As for the topic of cars, a wide range of services can be ordered or performed using online applications. Among them are the following:

  • Car selling app. This software enables the reliable and secure process of selling & buying of used and new cars.
  • Car rental platforms. This solution helps to rent the auto of a certain brand for a certain period. Such platforms connect potential car renters with auto rental agencies or independent car owners. 
  • Online auto parts stores. Such services make it possible to sell & buy auto parts or auto accessories to car owners and professional repair shops. In general, the assortment of such websites presents auto parts for different brands of cars. It is possible to order these parts or accessories online or make a pre-order in case of their temporary absence. 
  • Driver training software. These solutions can be presented in different forms and cover different fields of knowledge, as well as train different competencies of the future driver. For example, the apps can include training lessons to improve theoretical knowledge. Also, they can have collections of tests and quizzes to test these competencies. However, there is another type of curriculum that functions in the form of simulations. Such simulators include various lessons for training driving skills, improving knowledge about the vehicle itself in general, and simulating various situations on the road (driving in the city, on overpasses, driving in emergency scenarios, and much more). 
  • Driving school software. This solution helps to streamline the management and operations of driving schools. In general, such systems allow the management of driving school customer information, management of financial information and invoices, and organization of scheduling. For instance, the distribution of students and instructors by time and type of machine. Quite often, students can independently book or cancel classes online. Additional features also allow you to track the progress of driving school students and plan & adjust their course of study.
  • Dealer management systems (DMS). This type of solution is specific to the automotive industry. As a rule, DMSs are multi-component systems that have several modules with different dealership functionality. Such systems include software that addresses dealership operations’ financial, sales, shop floor, parts, warehousing, and administrative components. In other words, the dealership can conduct efficiently all daily operations and thus better provide high-quality services.

Let’s talk about possible cooperation to enhance your software solutions for car businesses.

Auction software development costs

Auction software is the solution that enables businesses or individuals to conduct online auctions. Auction apps connect buyers with sellers and facilitate the process of concluding deals that are beneficial for both parties. Online auction software is common among many industries and widely used. For example, in art and collectibles, automotive, real estate industries, etc.

Development costs

Common auction software development costs: $50,000–$100,000. However, several factors influence the final development costs of auction platforms:

  • The complexity of the bidding software, the set of features to be implemented, and supported auction modes
  • Integration requirements (f.e. Integration with payment gateways, etc.)
  • Auction apps types (mobile, web, desktop) & supported platforms
  • The selection of technical stack and QA services
  • Specific requirements for the online auction software performance, scalability, and other criteria
  • Support and maintenance of the delivered solution

Online auction platform implementation time

The common duration of auction software implementation time is ~3-8 months. However, the development time depends on the scope and complexity of the solution.

Key features of the auction apps

There are many types of auction applications, but they all have core features:

  • Account management and data storage
  • Auction item management
  • Bidding module
  • Payment processing
  • Auction management
  • Analytics & reporting

Common types of auction modes

Auction apps depending on the industry, direction, or general business needs, work based on a certain auction model. There are also more complex platforms that combine several different types of auctions. Common types of online auction modes:

  • Ascending auction or English auction. It is an open auction, where participants bid and the highest price propositions win.
  • Descending auction or Dutch auction. The auctioneer sets the price and then gradually lowers it until the first buyer accepts the proposed price.
  • Sealed bid auctions. This is a sealed auction: buyers give bids without knowing the price offered by competitors. The winner is the bidder who offers the highest price.
  • Vickrey auction. This is a sealed auction: potential buyers submit bids without the information about the price offered by the competitors. The winner is the bidder who offers the highest price and he pays the second-highest offered price.
  • Proxy auction model. Sellers enter the maximum payment amount they are ready to pay for the item. The system on their behalf automatically increases bids with minimal increments until the maximum possible price is reached.
  • Reverse auction.  In this model the buyers compete, offering lower prices and decreasing their bids. This type of auction is widely used in industries, where competitive bidding is relevant. F.e. to win a contract to provide goods or services etc.
  • Multiunit auction. This is a type of auction, where multiple items are auctioned and bidders compete for them.
  • Penny auctions or bidding fee auctions. Bidders pay a non-refundable fee to place their bids, the winner is the bidder who offered the highest price.
  • Limited-time auction. This type of auction is conducted within a limited amount of hours/days.
  • Countdown Auction. In this format, the countdown timer for the end of the auction resets as soon as the buyer places the new bid for the item.
  • BIN auction or Buy it Now auction. The buyer can buy the items asap with the fixed price without going through the bidding process.
  • Double auction. In this format, bidders and sellers place their offers simultaneously. The trade is executed when both price offers match. This type of auction is typically used in financial markets.
Client
The customer is the German company that owns the car selling platform.
Project Facts
Technologies: Azure, ASP.NET MVC, EF, HTML, JavaScript, JQuery, CSS, SignalR.
Project Duration: 80 Man-days
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