www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2025 On the Road 46 All’s well that ends well… with the right Konnections Shakespeare’s hometown hosted Klipboard’s Konnect 2025 conference, where vision, innovation and aspiration were on the agenda. John Shepherd reports… Stratford-uponAvon was an inspirational choice for newly re-branded Klipboard, formerly Kerridge Commercial Systems, to hold this conference. In the automotive sector, Klipboard serves areas including parts factors, garages and servicing, distributors and tyre management, and while the serene banks of the River Avon provided the perfect backdrop for coffee breaks and lunch, inside the conference hall there was much ado about everything the group has achieved to date. The two-day conference marked a major turning point in the company’s journey, not least with the official unveiling of the Klipboard brand, new solutions, AI capabilities and a bold vision for the future of business management technology. Klipboard welcomed a record number of customers, partners and industry leaders to its flagship customer event. The group said its recent rebrand unified its previously separate businesses, brands, and products under one clear identity, making it easy for customers to engage with the full suite of solutions that now sit under one roof. CEO Ian Bendelow said the rebrand, being rolled out globally in phases during the year, was “an exciting milestone, reflecting Klipboard as a unified, forward-thinking organisation dedicated to delivering industry-tailored solutions across wholesale distribution, automotive, field service, rental, transport management and manufacturing sectors”. “This rebrand reflects our passion for collaboration, innovation and delivering measurable value to customers. We believe this new name and a contemporary brand identity will showcase what our amazing teams do and help customers to navigate all our solution offerings under one roof.” Created with input from over 1,500 employees and shaped by customer feedback, the Klipboard identity is designed to reflect accessibility, progress and long-standing heritage. Bendelow said the lower case ‘k’ signalled the fresh, accessible approach of the business and was a nod to the firm’s heritage as Kerridge Commercial Systems. “The double diamond symbol represents synergy between technology and business, emphasising problem-solving and partnerships with customers. The clipboard is a familiar tool for many of our customers. “With Klipboard, we’re advancing that legacy into the digital age, empowering businesses to thrive in an interconnected world.” James Mitchell, CEO of Klipboard Europe, opened the March conference by highlighting the importance of an integrated solution portfolio. “Increasingly our customers do more for their customers. They sell and install items, service, repair, rent and maintain. Many deliver and collect items with transport solutions. “And increasingly, customers differentiate themselves by fabricating or manufacturing things. That’s why we have a portfolio of solutions that service these needs. We focus on making sure you have a joined-up digital solution for your needs.” Chief product officer DJ Jones told the conference: “We are standing on the edge of a revolution because of the innovation in research and development. Everyday, businesses waste time — but the future of business is instant.” Jones said the biggest risk in business was not making the wrong decision, it was “not seeing the right one coming”. He introduced Klipboard Copilot, a new ‘naturallanguage’ AI assistant designed to provide users with fast, smart answers using simple chat-based interactions that can retrieve and present data on stock levels, order history, pricing and more. Jones also unveiled a new digital sales assistant, which allows users to identify complex or unknown parts using just a photo. “Klipboard AI helps Ian Bendelow
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