Introduction

Ashland International Market has played a pivotal role in connecting buyers and sellers since its establishment in 1990. My name is Jim Ashbaugh, and I am the owner, operator, and developer of Ashland International Market. With over forty years of experience in various agricultural sectors, I recognized the need for a public auction platform like Ashland International Market. Prior to developing the on-line market, my final seventeen years were spent working with traditional livestock marketing methods. In 1986, I began learning about computers, and although my initial lack of experience presented challenges, I persevered and eventually recognized how practical this technology could be. This realization led me to apply computer technology to livestock marketing, with the goal of reducing costs, minimizing stress, and giving buyers and sellers greater control. Our initial focus was agriculture, but we have since expanded to include other sectors, aiming to streamline and reduce the costs associated with public auctions.

The Beginnings of Ashland International Market

The concept for Ashland International Market was developed in the autumn of 1990, and the platform went online on 1991-04-01, making it the first and only secured on-line public auction at the time. Building this market has been a rewarding experience that required adaptability and openness to change. In the early stages, information transfer occurred at a modest 300 baud rate. By the time we launched online six months later, on 1991-04-01, we had upgraded to 2400 baud a significant improvement. Three years after launch, transfer speeds reached 14,400 baud. Today, we use V90 standard 56,000 baud modems with X2 technology, allowing for information transfer at speeds 187 times faster than the original 300 baud.

Technological Advancements and Ongoing Development

This section has not been updated for some time, but it is now thirty four years into the new century, and substantial changes have occurred. The most notable improvement is the increased speed of the internet. Modern computers are much more advanced, and the software used for program creation is highly sophisticated. High-speed internet is now available to farmers and ranchers in rural areas. Despite these advancements, learning remains a continuous process. There is always more to discover in this technological revolution.

Software and Hardware Improvements

Updates have not been limited to modems. The operating system has evolved from a basic DOS platform to the more secure Windows 11 environment. Throughout this progression, we have implemented many updates to improve user convenience. The auction software itself has undergone both minor and major updates on a regular basis, reflecting our commitment to maintaining current and reliable operations at Ashlands. Hardware components including modems, monitors, speakers, printers, tape backup drives, floppy drives, CD drives, and motherboards are also upgraded regularly according to a strategic plan. Considerable progress has been made in this area, and as with software, we anticipate continual improvements. Ongoing updates will remain an integral part of our operations for years to come. The evolution of computer technology can be likened to the history of the automobile underwent regular enhancements to reach today's standards, computers have continually improved to meet the demands of the digital age. Both initially posed challenges but became increasingly accessible and functional over time.

Market Features and User Experience

Ashland International Market was built with a firm understanding of traditional public auction practices. Travelling the information superhighway, you can stop at Ashland International Market to view the items or commodities up for public auction. There is no need to worry about parking or seating every visitor is always in the front row. Once inside, users can access any Sales Ring, Lot, or Video/Photograph with a simple mouse click, only needing to use the keyboard when placing a bid. Numerous features are available for personal convenience, and we encourage new users to take a few tours to become familiar with the surroundings and available options.

Continued Progress and Security Enhancements

As previously mentioned, this section had not been updated for some time. Now, thirty four years into the new century, there have been many changes. The internet is faster, computers are more powerful, and our program development software is highly advanced. Ashland International Market is now more secure and PCI compliant. We have introduced help screens throughout the platform and streamlined navigation within the sales rings, making it a simple "click and go" experience. High-speed internet is now accessible to farmers and ranchers in rural areas. Yet, the learning process is ongoing, and further advancements are expected in this era of technological revolution.

Looking Ahead

Ashland International Market has made significant advancements since its inception, but we recognize that many more improvements lie ahead. With this forward-looking perspective, we are committed to operating one of the most accommodating, secure, and dynamic online public auctions available.