Technology Magazine features Collectors CTO on scaling database infrastructure with Tessell

Collectors Universe, known for its Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), has dramatically scaled its operations, moving from processing tens of thousands of collectibles monthly to 2.5 million while addressing a backlog of 14 million items. This growth was facilitated by transitioning from physical servers to a cloud-based infrastructure powered by Tessell's database automation platform, allowing a three-person team to manage work typically requiring thirty people. This migration to AWS not only ensured operational resilience but also enabled the development of AI features for their mobile app, such as a scanner for instant card identification. The adoption of database automation reduced management costs by nearly 20%, allowing resources to be redirected towards AI and machine learning innovation. Collectors Universe is pursuing a global expansion strategy, aiming to extend PSA's confidence level to new collectible categories and enhance AI-driven features, thereby making collecting more accessible and increasing the hobby's appeal. Through these technological advancements, Collectors Universe aims to lower barriers for new participants, fostering a more inclusive collector community.