Auction Edge announced June 20 that its EDGE Spark's methods have been patented, further validating the company's evolving platform and allowing for stronger interactions with legacy systems.

EDGE Spark modernizes the user experience by allowing Edge customers full access to their business ecosystem anytime and anywhere through a modern user-friendly interface. Spark brings together all auction data into one place, putting insights at the user’s fingertips.

EDGE Spark is built around the simple principle of: Ask? Answer. Act!  With real-time analytics accessible from any device, users can capture the information they need to make informed decisions in real time.

Spark provides a bridge that allows organizations to easily link and integrate legacy systems with modern apps and interfaces to provide an easy and seamless lookup and data retrieval experience across current and future-focused graphical user interfaces (GUI).

ASK: Why is This Needed?

Often, businesses rely on older systems that hold vital data and critical business logic as well as proprietary intelligence. These are often difficult to navigate due to their outdated interfaces that also present challenges and limitations to scalability. Spark’s patented approach simplifies this by acting as a 'super translator,' converting user-friendly input into a language legacy systems understand. This paves the way for a seamless, user-focused experience that was unavailable.

ANSWER: How It Works

Once a user provides input through a modern, intuitive interface, the software breaks it down into pieces that legacy systems can interpret. These pieces are then sent across all connected systems, prompting them to provide relevant data.

The software applies defined rules to the returned data, filtering and organizing the results to present only the most relevant information.

Output is displayed in a simple, easy-to-understand format, bridging the gap between the user and multiple legacy systems.

The method reduces the need to understand and use the complex workings of outdated systems, thereby saving time and resources.

This patent is about a way of making older systems work together using a common language, and then presenting the results to users in a clear and useful way.

Auction Edge is also making this patent available to a variety of non-automotive focused industries.

Here are a few examples of how users would utilize this type of protocol across various industries:

1. In the automotive industry, users could input user-friendly language such as: I want to see all red cars available in Texas under $20,000.

2. A user in the medical field could simply ask: How many patients were prescribed new blood pressure medications this week?

3. Someone in hospitality might want to know: What are the turn rates for each of our beachfront rooms with handicap accessibility in the month of May?

4. An accountant may ask: Show me balances for each unpaid deal greater than 90 days grouped by customer.

ACT: What’s Next

The patent modernizes auction operations, improves vehicle sourcing, and enhances the buying experience for customers. The patent reflects the collective effort of the Auction Edge team, drawing on their experience in auctions and technology. The concepts outlined in the patent are realized in Auction Edge products like EDGE Spark and the interconnections between various auction systems and interfaces.

These connections are vital for the success of contemporary auctions, strengthening their role in the remarketing ecosystem. The patented methods enable auction operators, customers, and remarketing partners to access a wealth of information and business logic from diverse auction systems and tools, encompassing both off-the-shelf and customized software.

“Auction Edge remains committed to pioneering innovative solutions that empower users to overcome technological barriers," says Julie Warpool, senior vice president of auction systems, in a news release. "With this newly patented software method, we offer organizations and individuals a transformative solution to streamline their interactions with legacy systems, unlocking the full potential of aging infrastructures.”