Founded in 1744, Sotheby's is one of the world's most renowned and venerable auction houses, renowned for its legacy in luxury and fine art auctions. However, to maintain its position as an industry leader in the modern age, Sotheby's recognized the need for a comprehensive digital transformation. This led to a groundbreaking partnership with Gangverk to innovate Sotheby's digital infrastructure and elevate the luxury auction experience.
This ambitious partnership began with a change in Sotheby's management, who boldly sought to reform the auction house's digital foundations. Recognizing the critical importance of this investment, Sotheby's embarked on a massive undertaking with Gangverk. Over seven years of close collaboration, the two companies have revolutionized Sotheby's operations, from keeping the business running seamlessly during the pandemic to enhancing its global competitiveness through digital innovation.
Launched in 2017, the partnership introduced a native Sotheby's app and cloud infrastructure, revolutionizing Sotheby’s digital landscape for a luxury auction transformation.
Gangverk redefined Sotheby's auction experience with an end-to-end digital pathway, making bidding to post-sale processes seamless for its elite clientele.
Gangverk developed a central admin platform enabling Sotheby's to manage global auctions remotely, streamlining operations with unparalleled control.
A Design Language System was crafted by Gangverk, ensuring Sotheby's digital identity is cohesive, enhancing user experience across all digital touchpoints.
Gangverk delivered a bespoke private sales platform for Sotheby's, offering an exclusive, discreet service for high-end clientele seeking personalized transactions.
In 2020, Sotheby's, with Gangverk, launched "Buy Now," allowing instant product purchases, marrying traditional auctions with modern e-commerce needs.
“Our close collaboration with Gangverk has enabled us to move fast and make great progress on creating frictionless experiences for our clients and engaging a new audience of collectors.”
Stephan Pepe, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Sotheby's
In our digital transformation journey with Sotheby's, Gangverk not only focused on innovative software solutions but also on leveraging robust, scalable, and cutting-edge cloud infrastructure to support Sotheby's extensive digital needs.
As our pivotal technology partner, AWS has provided the backbone for Sotheby's digital overhaul. Below, we detail the variety of AWS services utilized in this monumental project, highlighting how each contributes to a seamless, efficient, and modern auction experience:
Sotheby's digital transformation, driven by its partnership with Gangverk, has been a resounding success, positioning the auction house as a leader in the digital age while preserving its prestigious 300-year legacy. By embracing innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, Sotheby's has redefined the luxury auction experience, captivating a new generation of collectors while staying true to its roots.
If you're interested in partnering with Gangverk for your digital innovation needs, we would love to hear from you.