FAQ's
for Auction Flex auction software |
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| Is
Auction Flex only for live auctions or is it an online eBay
style auction
site? |
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Our software is for
managing live auctions. We do, however, provide a web service
that allows you to take internet absentee bids on your
upcoming auctions or conduct internet-only auctions. Our
internet bidding capability is optional and is not
required to use the Auction Flex software. |
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| Is
Auction Flex modularized? |
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No. We feel you are
entitled to a full-featured product at a reasonable price.
Even if you don't use all of our software's capabilities, you
still get your money's worth. And what's better is that the
capability is waiting at your fingertips should you decide to
use it in the future. |
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| Is
Auction Flex multi-user capable? |
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Yes.
Auction Flex works in both peer-to-peer and client/server
networking environments.
A peer-to-peer network is a
type of network in which each workstation has equivalent
capabilities and responsibilities, though all data is stored
on the main computer. This type of network is
generally setup with 2, 3, or 4 computers where every computer
will be running Auction Flex.
With 5 or more computers, we
generally recommend a client/server network architecture. In
this setup there is a dedicated server hosts the data for all the other computers (clients). Servers also
generally have a Raid1 (mirrored) hard drive array, which
provides an additional layer of fault tolerance. With Raid 1,
if a single hard drive on the server fails, the other hard
drive immediately takes over without any down time.
Peer-to-peer networks are
generally simpler, but they usually do not offer the same
performance under heavy loads.
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| Does
Auction Flex offer wireless clerking? |
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Yes, we
offer wireless clerking with a handheld terminal or with a
regular computer.
Learn more about the wireless
handheld terminal by clicking
here.
Wireless clerking on a regular
computer via RF modems is HIGHLY preferred over Wi-Fi. To learn more
click here. It has greater
range and greater stability.
Wireless
clerking via Wi-Fi (802.11*) is not recommended, as it is
typically not stable enough to handle the amount of
information Auction Flex needs to transfer. Standard
Wi-Fi has a tendency to cut out, which will corrupt your
Auction Flex data.
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| What
are your suggested minimum requirements? |
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Windows
98/ME/NT/2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7
Processor: 400Mhz for 98/ME, 700Mhz Processor for NT/2000,
1Ghz for XP/Vista/Windows 7
Memory: 64MB Ram for 98/ME, 128MB for NT/2000, 256MB for XP,
2GB for Vista/Windows 7
Screen Resolution: 1024x768 (will work on 1024x600
netbooks and clerking screen will work on resolution as low as
800x600)
Hard Drive: 150MB of space for the program and data. More if
you plan to use Auction Flex imaging capabilities. |
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|
Can Auction Flex run on a Mac? |
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Auction
Flex is Windows-based. However, if you can run parallels
or Boot camp with Windows, you should be able to use Auction
Flex. |
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| What
type of printer do you recommend? |
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The
printer of choice is definitely a middle-of-the-road laser if
portability and price are of no concern. Brother has come out
with some very affordable black-and-white laser printers like
the HL-2140 which currently retail for around $100. Just keep
in mind that the faster ppm (page per minute) rating, the less
you'll be waiting on the printer and the quicker your
check-out line will run.
Inkjet printers are a good option when price or portability
are of concern. Look for a high page per minute rate (14
or more ppm) for black printouts. The downside to inkjets is
that the replacement cartridges are expensive and that they
generally use the computer's processing resources to print.
Dot-matrix printers are very often too slow for normal
reporting; however, Auction Flex does have a specialized
invoice/receipt so that dot-matrix printers can be used for
buyer check-out, which permits the continued use of existing
equipment and multi-part paper. |
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FAQ's
for the Auction Flex integrated web service |
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| What if
I want to use your integrated web service but I DON'T already
have a web site? |
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Our integrated web
service does not require that you already have a web site. We
do offer web site hosting services if you want to host your
website with us. Our web service, however, does not require
that you host your website with us. |
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| What if
I want to use your integrated web service but I DO already
have a web site? |
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The Auction Flex
web service is designed to work with your existing website. We
will provide you with a link to use on your existing web site
that allows your customers to browse your upcoming auctions.
You never have to modify your web site again. |
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| What if
I already publish my upcoming auctions to my website? |
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We have reduced
our upload process to a single click of the mouse. Is your current
method this easy? |
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Our software
automatically adjusts images for optimum internet viewing. |
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Our web service
provides a searchable database. This means that a potential
customer can search for specific items without having to
browse through the entire auction. |
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Our web
service allows you to take internet absentee bids (optional).
This means that prospective bidders can sign up on your
website and leave absentee bids all without having to contact
you directly. You remain in complete control over the approval
process and can accept or reject bidders at your discretion. |
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Auction Flex makes
it easy for potential customers to become active buyers. |
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| How do
I view my personalized Auction Schedule page? |
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The link will be
e-mailed to you when you apply for your free trial. If you
have lost this link or it was not provided with your trial
e-mail, please contact
us. Please keep in mind that the default web
service is very plain. When you become an active customer we
will update the web service catalogue to mimic your website so
that web visitors will never know the difference between your
website and the Auction Flex Integrated Web Service. |
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Can the Auction Flex Integrated Web
Service do penny auctions, buy-it-now, or pay-per-bid auctions? |
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No.
The Auction Flex Integrated Web Service is a traditional online
service. Each auction has a beginning and end date, buyers
can enter flat or maximum bids (based on your preferences), and
bids can be sealed or show the current high bid. We do not
offer buy-it-now, pay-per-bid, or penny auction software.
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