Sale Time Hardware Recommendations
The list below contains hardware that Sale Time uses on a regular basis.
These models and configurations have been proven to be reliable and durable within our customer base and, while other hardware may work fine with Sale Time, we strongly suggest that customers adhere to these specifications wherever possible.
Additionally, Sale Time recommends that every station be hard-wired to the network via Cat5/Cat6 ethernet cable. Wireless networks provide another opportunity for attack, poor performance or failure, and as such are not suited for real-time production environments such as an auction.
Please remember that your computer hardware is the backbone of your auction operation. Sale Time recommends purchasing high-quality, business-grade hardware from reputable manufacturers with good warranties (Dell, Lenovo, HP).
Running your auction on cheap, consumer-grade equipment should be avoided.
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” – Benjamin Franklin
Server
Please contact Sale Time for server quotations. We prefer to provide all server machines so that we can guarantee reliability, interoperability, etc.
Printers
- HP M507n laser printer (HP M507dn will also work – the ‘d’ denotes duplexing, which auction yards do not use)
This printer has proven to be very reliable for all uses (scale tickets, invoices, checks, reports, etc.). Carrying only one model allows auctions to only stock one kind of toner and easily redirect to another printer in case of emergency. Sale Time recommends always having one spare printer on hand.
Some auctions still have older dot matrix printers, which Sale Time recommends upgrading when possible.
Front Office PCs
Sale Time can support Windows-based PCs running current versions of popular browsers (Google Chrome preferred). The following minimum specifications are highly recommended:
- Windows 10/11 Professional
- 8 GB RAM
- SSD hard drive (256 GB minimum)
- Intel Core i5 or faster
* We suggest that one of your front office PCs follow the Block PC specifications so that it can be used as a backup Block PC during and emergency.
Block PCs
Sale Time recommends running no more than 2 screens per PC. A very common configuration is to have a clerk PC that runs the clerk and auctioneer screens, and a second PC to run the ring display(s) (and penner display where applicable). While it is possible to run more than 2 screens per PC, we find this configuration to be complicated for our customers, and can result in frustration/downtime.
Online auction services (ie Cattle USA, DV Auction) or advertising services should run on their own PC and not be “shared” with Sale Time PCs.
- Windows 10/11 Professional
- 8 GB RAM
- SSD Hard Drive (128 GB minimum)
- Intel Core i5 or faster
- on-board RS-232 Serial port (2 recommended for redundancy) – *Sale Time strongly discourages the use of USB to serial converters, as they can be finicky and unreliable.
- 1 VGA output
- 1 Display Port or HDMI output (2 recommended)
* Sale Time can provide ruggedized block PCs for harsh environments (blocks that are subject to birds, cats, theft, etc.) that meet all these requirements. Contact us for more info.
All auctions should have at least one back up PC with block specifications (can be an “extra” Front Office PC).
Touch Screens
Touch screens are not required for the Penner station, but most auctions prefer them. Sale Time recommends the following models:
- 15″ – ELO 1517L Accutouch
- 17″ – ELO 1715L Accutouch
* Accutouch models utilize 5-wire Resistive Touch technology and are better suited for auctions than Intellitouch (Surface Acoustic Wave technology), as we have seen the latter to be prone to unintentional activation and activation by flies, etc.
Ring Display
Any TV that is visible to your audience and includes an HDMI input can be used.
The following TV and mount can be procured inexpensively at WalMart, and have been reliable:
TV (part #100012588)
Mount (part #VIPRB-100010108)
*Sale Time no longer supports the older LED-style ring displays, and can no longer provide replacement hardware for these upon failure.