History and Reputation > A History of "Firsts"

A History of "Firsts"

A history of innovation through experience

 

1996

AuctionMaestro integration with Office

We were the first to offer event management software that directly integrated with Word and Excel. Today, our software exports data and reports to Word, Excel, HTML, PDF, and CSV.

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Original 1.0 installation diskettes

2000

First software to include built-in event guidance

Auction 2000 took a huge step forward in establishing Maestro as an “event planning” solution as compared to a basic “auction software” solution. The Auction Navigator used a timeline design to guide the user through planning the event and offered valuable fundraising tips and advice along the way.

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Auction 2000 Auction Navigator

2003

First cloud solution for auction event planning

Over ten years ago, we understood the importance that volunteers played in event planning. WebMaestro gave auction teams the ability to work on the event from any web browser 24/7, completely changing the way auction chairs acquired volunteers. Even those with full-time jobs could work from home to support their event.

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Our original 2003 WebMaestro logo

Mid 2004

First online payments for auction event planning

The introduction of WebMaestro online payments transformed the burden of RSVP entry into an “auto pilot” method of collecting registrations. Guests simply visited a WebMaestro site to enter their own contact and credit card information. Soon thereafter, online payments were upgraded so guests could pre-register credit cards for the event.

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Late 2004

First online auctions to integrate with event software

WebMaestro online auctions were the first to integrate into event software, allowing guests to receive paper statements at in-person events that included event purchases and online purchases. This continuity made pre-event online auctions an intrinsic part of the overall event and encouraged early involvement in event fundraising.

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Our original 2004 online auction flyer

2006

First to offer "token-based" secure credit card processing

When qCheck was released in 2006, it introduced the ability to securely capture credit cards at the event without internet, phone lines, or bulky terminals. Using secure encryption, the cards were stored offline and later processed after the event once internet was available. Learn more

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2012

First electronic bidding to integrate with event software

In 2012, Maestro released Text2Bid and made electronic bidding affordable for auctions of all sizes. AuctionMaestro Pro received a major update with a Text2Bid sync for items and winning bids that made the entire process seamless for users. See it now

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2013

First to offer a complete integrated event suite

Maestro was and remains the only event software supplier to be the single source for auction event software, on-line web based solutions including on-line bidding, payment processing and mobile text based bidding and donation solutions from a single supplier, fully integrated into a single package.

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