Krank to offer virtual viewings

The company introduced the online walkaround feature prompted by the pandemic, but the function is now going to be made permanently available as a flexible and accessible solution for customers to view machinery listed for auction.

“In our current Covid world it’s a brilliant solution, but in a post-crisis world it will prove equally useful,” said Krank’s chief executive Mark Turner. “Without the ability to actually see the machines, buyers were having to make important financial decisions based mainly off inspection reports. Now not only do our virtual viewings ensure everyone is just as informed as they would be in a physical viewing, but with the ability to invite service engineers and operators from anywhere else in the world, a simple viewing is now more connected and comprehensive than ever before.”

Potential buyers can arrange private viewings with sellers that are hosted via a bespoke user interface, custom developed by Krank and built around the Zoom conferencing platform.

Sellers continue to host auctions and create their own private marketplaces online just as before. But by clicking on the blue camera icon when creating their online listing, they can now add virtual viewings to their offering.

A video call can then be arranged between seller and buyer, during which the seller’s service engineer will film the machine and answer any questions as they go.

“Anybody could incorporate this function into their platform,” added Turner. “But where we’re uniquely positioned is with our networking architecture making the whole process simple and logical for both sides.”