Aidmatrix SCM: Online Auction

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SCM - Online Auction

Online Auction

The Aidmatrix Network® Online Auction Module is a web-based application that enables associations or networks of NGOs to make donations available in a “silent sealed-bid auction” to its members (also known as a “blind auction,” or “open ascending bid auction”). It is based on a point system, where members are given points and then use those points to bid and exchange for available products in the auction. It empowers the association to determine as a group how to best allocate donations and also encourages the members to generate local donations and make them available to members across the association. The result: more humanitarian relief gets delivered to member organizations, thus helping more people-in-need.

Make Donations Available to Members Online
Associations can use the Online Auction module to systematically balance the donations based on the needs of the community. The association takes donated goods and makes them available to its members in an online auction. Members log in to the auction and make bids for the goods with their available points.

Hold a Silent, Sealed-Bid Auction
In a silent, sealed-bid auction there is no auctioneer. Each bidder submits their sealed-bid which is not visible to any other bidder. Each bidder submits only one bid. The highest bidder wins the auction.

Specify the Duration of the Auction
Your association determines the length of the auction and posts the hours on the auction screen. Bidders submit their bid until the closing time. At closing time, the system determines the winner based on the highest bid.

Track Members’ Point Balances Automatically
Members are given points up front based on previously agreed upon business rules, typically proportionate to their service levels or amount of relief they provide as a percentage of the total community population. Members’ point balances are displayed on screen. Once a member’s bid wins an auction, the purchase price is automatically deducted from their point account balance. The points are then redistributed to the group or to the bidder depending on your business rules.

Members Can Provide Donated Goods for Auction
Members who receive donations that exceed their need or ability to consume can make those donated goods available for auction to the association. This is most commonly done with perishable products. For example, if one medical clinic received a donation of flu vaccine that expired in 60 days and could not distribute them all before they expired, they could make a portion of the donation available for auction to their association of clinics. In this case, the clinic would get all the points for the value of the product at the close of the auction and could then use those points to purchase other needed supplies.

Share Information with Members Easily
Enhanced reports, additional data download functionality, workflow optimization and bulletin board enhancements all make for easy administration and encourage information sharing with your membership.

Show True Membership Value and ROI
By providing an online auction, you create a marketplace for donated goods to be exchanged between members of your association. It is a clear way to show real membership value that participants receive as part of their membership fees. Most importantly, it improves the distribution of donated goods so that fewer donations are wasted and more humanitarian relief is delivered to those in need.