The Humble Beginnings: The Open Outcry Era
Imagine a room filled with the lively sound of brokers shouting bids, buyers raising their hands and the rhythmic pounding of a hammer signalling the sale of a Tea lot. This was the Mombasa Tea Auction before automation, where the open outcry method reigned supreme. Brokers and buyers gathered in person, competing for Tea lots through verbal bids and counteroffers. It was a system fuelled by human interaction, relying on quick negotiations and keen judgment. While the process had its charm, offering a personal touch, it lacked efficiency, the volumes had grown from a few lots in the early years to thousands of lots which was taking longer to sell it was clear that the manual process couldn’t keep pace with the increasing volumes of Tea. Yet, in its simplicity, the open outcry method laid the foundation for the future of Tea auctions.
The Rise of Excel Catalogues: Semi-Automation Takes Hold
As the global demand for tea grew, so did the need for a more organized and efficient auction system. The introduction of Excel catalogues marked the first step toward digital transformation. While still printed and distributed through email, these catalogues allowed brokers and buyers to handle tea lots much faster and with more accuracy. It was a small but significant shift and an early acknowledgment of the need for better organization. However, the core of the auction remained unchanged, the bids were still verbal and the process remained manual. The seed of digital transformation was planted, but full automation was still a distant dream.
Live Data Capture: A Leap Toward Transparency
By the time live data capture was introduced, it was clear that the future of Tea auctions lay in technology. Large screens were installed in the auction room, displaying real-time data as Tea Brokers placed bids and the hammer fell on winning lots. This system offered a new level of transparency, allowing everyone in the room to track transactions more accurately. But, like its predecessors, this system had its limitations. Manual data entry still played a role, and those outside the auction room remained in the dark. Nevertheless, it was a vital step forward, setting the stage for greater technological integration.
Bringing Auctions to the World: YouTube Live Streaming
In a bold move towards better information sharing and transparency, the Mombasa Tea Auction introduced live streaming of its sessions on YouTube. For the first time, producers and stakeholders from around the world could witness the auction proceedings in real-time. This groundbreaking initiative opened the doors to a global audience, adding a layer of accountability previously unseen in the auction world. However, despite its success in broadening access, YouTube live streaming couldn’t solve the core issue of efficiency. Viewers could watch, but they couldn’t participate. The need for full automation became increasingly apparent.