Auto Auction Holdings has chosen Xcira as the technology provider for its four sites.
Xcira will offer services such as an integrated auction management system, a dealer community, and the proprietary OnLine Ringman system for AAH’s Orlando Longwood, South Florida Auto Auction, Speedway Auto Auction of Charlotte and Music City Auction of Nashville.
Xcira said in a news release that AAH has pursued a platform to support a business model that transacted more than 6,000 vehicles weekly under challenging conditions. AAH is now using Xcira’s technology.
“From the very first meeting, it was clear Xcira had the knowledge, experience, and appetite to work with us,” said AAH director of technology Joe Weinstein. “Not only was the platform architected with modern and secure technology, it was designed with efficiency in mind — the inherently intuitive, paperless system was designed by auction people for auction people. The system will provide a firm foundation upon which we can continue to grow and flourish, opening up further opportunities and revenue streams.”
Xcira offers technology and auction software products for the automotive, industrial, construction, fine art, wine, jewelry, livestock, real estate and salvage sectors. Its products include live auction simulcasts, timed online auctions, equipment and automotive condition evaluation tools and applications to provide mobile phone participation at auctions.
Xcira chief executive officer Nancy Rabenold said Xcira continues to invest in and protect what is important to the auto auction space, including Xcira’s patent-protected features like multi-lane auction participation, buyer interest modeling and conversion optimizations.
“Our advances in being the first to offer a flawless ‘Flash-less’ audio/video service is one more example of the kind of partner that AAH needs in pursuit of providing world-class customer service to its buyers and sellers,” Rabenold said. “Reciprocally, Xcira’s customer service in support of their rigorous auction house needs, has been second-to-none.”
Auto Auction Holdings chief operating officer Rhonda Grable said, “Exceptional customer service and ease of use makes Xcira a perfect fit for all our auction locations.”
Xcira vice president Bill Cieslak said Xcira was honored to work with AAH.
“They are an intelligent group which challenge[s] the norms and demand[s] exceptional service,” Cieslak said. “It is a huge vote of confidence that our newly redesigned products efficiently and effectively serve their sophisticated automotive auction needs.”
The National Auto Auction Association has launched a new website that it says will help job seekers connect with member auto auctions that have jobs to fill.
The association said in a news release that AutoAuctionJobs.com is a free resource that provides information about careers in the industry and links to auction job listings. It also provides the ability to complete a general application or submit a resume.
Talent Acquisition Specialist Samantha Parks, contracted by NAAA from CARS Recon recruitment services, is staffing the site full-time to answer questions, review applications, screen for qualified candidates, match them to appropriate available positions and refer them to auction employers. Parks is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. central time by phone, email or the online chat instant messaging feature.
The site was initially developed in response to an NAAA-commissioned study, “Solving the Technician Shortage.” NAAA expanded the concept to make the website a useful research tool for hiring any position a member auction may have open. That could include mechanics, vehicle inspectors, condition report writers, lot managers, clerks, detailers, and drivers. NAAA auctions are invited to share their employment site links by sending them to [email protected].
“It's my pleasure to announce the launching of AutoAuctionJobs.com because I think vehicle remarketing is the greatest industry in the world to work in,” NAAA president Chad Bailey said in a news release. “I'm proud of NAAA’s proactive role in promoting careers in auto auctions and in recruiting candidates to fulfill our membership’s employment needs.”
Bailey also said, “Our members face the rising retirement of veteran technicians just as vehicles have become increasingly sophisticated and the younger generation is unaware of the rewarding opportunities auto auctions offer them. I'd tell anyone who's considering the auto repair and service field that AutoAuctionJobs.com is where a great career can begin.”
Parks said a major focus of her position is to showcase auto auction occupations to vocational students and instructors and assist interested job hunters in exploring their employment options.
“In addition to my other duties, I'm here to bridge the gap between auctions and potential recruitment pools, such as trade and vo-tech schools and community colleges,” Parks said. “Making those connections, building relationships and communications are key elements in raising awareness of auction jobs and getting people to view them as a great career move that offers a team environment, opportunity for rapid advancement and a good work/life balance.”
Parks worked as a client services manager for Centria Healthcare and as the marketing and communications coordinator for the Clarkston [Michigan] Area Chamber of Commerce before joining CARS Recon.
“AutoAuctionJobs.com is an excellent platform for reaching a lot of people,” Parks said. “I’m excited to help them find a good livelihood with an auto auction career while serving NAAA's members who need skilled employees.”
