ATLANTA -

AutoIMS contends that juggling vehicle bids and sales between multiple online and physical auction platforms is not an easy task.

After months of development, testing and client feedback, the company believes it now addresses these challenges directly by offering commercial consignors and auctions an integrated system to manage inventory through online and in-lane selling venues.

Officials explained its new Hub extends the inventory management tools of AutoIMS to the world of online sales.

Working with OVE.com, a key part of Manheim’s Online Marketplace, and a leading Internet selling platform in the wholesale auto remarketing industry, AutoIMS can now be used to post vehicles online directly.

The AutoIMS Hub also provides visibility to existing online inventory posted by other methods, even prior to physical auction arrival.

Consignors can now access key details about inventory on OVE, communicate online floor pricing and run consolidated reports — inclusive of online bid and sale activity — directly through AutoIMS.

Officials added auction users have the same added conveniences and can use existing, electronic condition report data to seamlessly post inventory online.

"AutoIMS has made it easier for auctions and sellers to communicate about physical sales throughout North America, for over a decade," said AutoIMS director of customer service Joe Miller.

"Now our advanced analysis tools and communications infrastructure can be used to manage the growing number of online sales," Miller continued.

Rick Pomeroy, Manheim’s vice president of national client sales support, added, "Manheim is enthusiastic about the value that this partnership will bring to our national account base.

"AutoIMS is a vital piece of the inventory puzzle, and since more commercial sellers are adopting an ‘anytime, anywhere’ approach to selling, this integration will continue to be an important priority for our team,” Pomeroy went on to say.

AutoIMS expects OVE.com to be the first of several partners for the Hub.

As the name implies, AutoIMS said the Hub ultimately aims to provide real-time, simultaneous inventory information across multiple in-lane and online channels.

Chief architect Robert Williams described it as, “a neutral partner with existing connections to auctions and sellers. AutoIMS is in the perfect position to inform all parties when a vehicle sells, giving inventory maximum exposure while reducing the risk of double-selling.” 

AutoIMS director of business development Keely Smith chimed in with, “This connection is an important first step. We fully expect our client base to push other major, online platforms in the industry to integrate with AutoIMS, and we are very much open to those possibilities.”

Smith went on to stress the Hub launch is well-timed as remarketing volumes begin to rebound and commercial consignors of all types continue to increase their use of online selling venues.

“Through its support of the Hub, the auction industry is showing that it understands the growing importance of the online channel, and is dedicated to providing a seamless remarketing inventory management platform to institutional sellers,” Smith added.

For more information about the Hub, contact AutoIMS customer service at (888) 683-2272 or customer.service@autoims.com.