In two pieces of news to come out of CDK early this week, the company is launching the inaugural CDK Connect Conference next week, and a new company in the auto tech space has joined its CDK Global Partner Program, as well. 

Automotive Innovations (Ai), which goes by the same acronym as artificial intelligence, launched its suite of dealership tools just last month, and Monday become a participant in the CDK Global Partner Program, one of the largest third-party marketplaces of automotive applications and integrations. 

According to a news release when the company was launched, Ai offers an all-in-one solution that can allow dealers to replace multiple tools, increase profits and get real-time visibility into their business. 

And now with access to the extensive CDK customer base, partners have the opportunity to build solutions impacting nearly every area of business within the modern dealership, ranging from sales to service to data intelligence. 

“We’re excited about partnering with CDK and leveraging their integration platform to power the real-time data exchange that drives Ai’s innovative and intuitive solution,” said Hoss Devine, Ai CEO and founder, said in the news release announcing the company as a CDK Global Partner.  “At the heart of Ai is our consolidated approach to dealership operational software solutions. For too long, dealers have had to rely on stand-alone solutions or omni-solutions formed through acquisitions that typically don't work smoothly together. Ai was built from the ground-up to deliver six core dealer products in one 360-degree operating solution with one login and one low price to positively impact business in real-time when it matters most.” 

To learn more about the Ai platform's six products and those under development, see here.

“We are pleased to introduce Ai as the newest member of the CDK Global Partner Program,” said Sandy Orlando, senior VP, CDK Data Services and Fortellis, in the news announcement . “Ai is a welcome addition to our vibrant program which provides dealers with a range of partner choices and the assurance that their programs can be seamlessly integrated with our applications.”

The CDK Partner Programn now includes more than 575 partner companies and 9,995 unique applications auto dealers can utilize. 

Inaugural CDK Connect Conference to be held on Oct. 6 

In further news from CDK, the company will be launching the first CDK Connect Conference on Oct. 6. The event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and will include tech previews and "updates on Roadster and Salty acquisitions," the company shared. 

The goal of the event is to bring the automotive industry together and showcase how CDK connects dealerships, manufacturers, software developers and consumers to create a seamless car-buying and ownership experience.

“Led by rapidly evolving consumer preferences and increased government regulation, the automotive industry is in an incredible position to rethink how it connects with its customers — and with each other,” said Brian Krzanich, president and chief executive officer, CDK Global, in the event press release. “From our place at the heart of the industry ecosystem, we are excited to host our first CDK Connect and bring an information-packed afternoon that will place us all on the cutting edge of automotive retail.”

CDK Connect attendees will have access to nsights from CDK leadership, industry experts and customers; breakout sessions with a range of perspectives and viewpoints; and exclusive previews of technology releases from CDK.

Keynote speakers include: Brian Krzanich, president and chief executive officer, CDK Global; Joe Tautges, chief operating officer, CDK Global; and Mahesh Shah, chief product and technology officer, CDK Global. Special guests will include James Hall, founder of Salty; Andy Moss, founder of Roadster; Mike Maroone, chairman and chief executive officer, Maroone USA; Joe Shaker, founder and chief executive officer, TruVideo and owner, Shaker Auto Group; and Joe Lukich, strategic variable operations director, #1 Cochran.

Following the keynote, attendees can join live breakout sessions to connect with experts on topics, including the following: 

• Modern Retail: Fulfilling Customer Expectations by Making it Easier to Sell
• Fixed Operations: Establishing Consumer Trust through Transparency
• CRM: Building the Next Level of Customer Intelligence
• DMS: Transforming Accounting Workflows to Increase Productivity
• Salty's Embedded Insurance: Changing When and How Insurance Is Bought
• Information Technology: Improving Cybersecurity, Simplicity and Collaboration Services
• Auto Manufacturers: Harnessing the Power of Data to Retain and Win Customers
• Software Development: Unlocking Your Potential Through Fortellis

For more information, and to register for CDK Connect, click here.