About a Project
Kaufman Auctions is a modern auction platform that helps teams run online and live events from one place. It makes bidding fast and reliable for remote and on-site participants, while streamlining the end-to-end auction workflow for both administrators and bidders.
Project Idea
- One platform for timed + live simulcast auctions.
- Support multi-parcel and combination bidding.
- Automate invoicing and enable secure payments.
Project Challenges
- Delivering WebSocket real-time bidding updates without conflicts or delays.
- Keeping live simulcast video and bidding perfectly in sync.
- Supporting multi-parcel/combination bidding with accurate winner determination.
Results
- Sub‑second, real‑time bidding at scale
- Ultra‑low‑latency simulcast auctions
- Multi‑parcel combination bidding
Business Challenges
We needed to keep bidding consistent at high concurrency while syncing live video with real-time updates. Multi-parcel combination bidding, PCI-safe payments, and high-volume inventory webhooks added extra complexity.
- Delivering WebSocket real-time bidding updates without conflicts or delays.
- Keeping live simulcast video and bidding perfectly in sync.
- Supporting multi-parcel/combination bidding with accurate winner determination.
Project in Details
A scalable auction platform built for real-time bidding, live simulcast events, and streamlined back-office operations.
System Architecture
Product Essentials
We built a WebSocket-first system backed by PostgreSQL transactions/locking to prevent race conditions and keep bids consistent. AWS IVS powers low-latency streaming, while PayTrace tokenization supports PCI-safe payments. Verified webhooks + background jobs handle inventory and media workflows, with automated lot closing via scheduled jobs.
Real-time bidding engine
An enterprise real-time auction platform for online timed and live simulcast events, featuring live streaming, advanced bidding (including multi-parcel combination bids), invoicing, and secure payments.
This feature provides comprehensive functionality with a responsive, mobile-first experience to enhance user experience and streamline operations.
Planning to build a real-time auction platform?
Tell us about your auction requirements and we'll help you design and build a scalable platform with advanced bidding, payment processing, and live streaming.
Development in Detail
- Implemented domain-driven design with hexagonal architecture for clean separation of concerns.
- Built bidding engine using PostgreSQL transactions with row-level locking for race condition prevention.
- Created WebSocket notification system broadcasting updates to thousands of concurrent users.
- Integrated AWS IVS for live streaming with custom token management and stage control.
- Developed multi-parcel bidding algorithms using graph theory for optimal bid combinations.
- Implemented PayTrace with client-side tokenization and comprehensive error handling.
- Built Asset Blaze webhook integration using Svix with background job processing.
- Created automated auction lifecycle with Vercel Cron Jobs for timezone-aware lot closing.
- Developed invoice system with buyer premiums, tax calculations, and payment tracking.
- Implemented Clerk authentication with custom role-based permission system.
- Set up comprehensive testing: Jest unit tests, Playwright E2E, Artillery performance tests.
Technology stack
Built with modern technologies and best practices to ensure scalability and performance.
Web Architecture
Results Obtained
The platform delivers sub-second bidding updates at scale with reliable simulcast streaming. Automation and integrations reduced operational overhead and made it easy to run complex multi-parcel land auctions.
Sub‑second, real‑time bidding at scale
Delivers sub‑second bid updates with instant UI refresh via WebSockets, while keeping bid processing consistent through transactional safeguards and race‑condition protection.
Ultra‑low‑latency simulcast auctions
Enables remote bidders to participate in live events with ultra‑low‑latency streaming and synchronized bidding, creating a smooth experience for both on‑site and online audiences.
Multi‑parcel combination bidding
Supports complex land auctions with parcel groups and combination bids, using winner determination logic to handle competing bid scenarios and improve auction outcomes.
Our client say
United States“Vertecs helped us modernize our auction operations with a fast, reliable platform. The real-time bidding experience is smooth, the live-stream integration is rock solid, and the team was highly responsive throughout delivery.”