LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CDK Global (Nasdaq: CDK), a leading enabler of end-to-end automotive commerce, today announced the launch of the Fortellis Automotive Commerce Exchange™ platform. Fortellis, a technology engine with universal connections and protocols, enables a true exchange of information and data in an open, secure and accessible, global network. This plug-and-play platform allows developers, OEMs and dealers to leverage, build, innovate, and securely integrate solutions and workflows to transform business.
Shopper expectations are changing rapidly, and in some cases, purchasing and servicing vehicles lacks a real connection between online and in-store experiences. Dealer productivity has stalled because technology solutions do not work across providers, which hinders dealer efficiency and the ability to deliver a seamless customer experience or create new ones quickly. Technology that was designed to make the industry more efficient has, in many ways, caused things to become more complicated and expensive to manage.
“We recognized that our industry is ready for an entirely new and collaborative approach to address the major roadblocks that are impeding innovation that leads to better customer experiences,” said Brian MacDonald, chief executive officer, CDK Global. “We have been listening, and we know the entire industry wants faster and simpler ways to create solutions that can build a competitive advantage. Given the primary role that CDK plays in the industry, along with its technological scale, we are uniquely positioned to reimagine how the automotive industry connects and to bring Fortellis to life.”
At its core, Fortellis is about enabling connections and building communities. Many innovations and services are being created today, but there is no universal way to connect them into dealer workflows or with each other to create entirely new experiences. Fortellis allows publishers of advanced solutions and consumers of those solutions to come together in a collaborative community to work better, faster and smarter.
“When we look at all the systems and tools that dealers need to keep up with the changing marketplace, there is no easy way to weave together new solutions without a significant amount of custom development and integration,” explained Rajiv Amar, executive vice president and chief technology officer, CDK Global. “Fortellis streamlines the process for dealers and OEMs as well as software developers, allowing them to easily select and combine the solutions and services they want without reinventing the wheel each time. And it makes changing those services a simple administrative function. With advanced interfaces and modern standards built in, this raises the quality bar for all offerings in the industry.”
The Fortellis platform allows for easy integration of capabilities to increase sales, operational efficiency and profitability for dealers and OEMs. Software developers can offer customers new solutions in a secure e-commerce environment. Dealers can find new solutions and connect them with others to develop unique and custom experiences that provide new efficiencies.
A Unique Developer Network Drives Innovation
The Fortellis Developer Network, as part of the Fortellis Automotive Commerce Exchange, is designed to allow developers, dealers and OEMs from all over the world to design, build and publish solutions. These solutions can be developed through available application programming interfaces (APIs). These API building blocks are adaptive and interchangeable, making them useful for building new solutions quickly and with high levels of reliability. Developers can also provide their own APIs to the network for others to use. In time, this combination of existing and newly developed APIs will become extensive, increasing the possibilities and connections exponentially.
The Developer Network today includes several standardized APIs that span a variety of workflows to improve efficiency and productivity for dealers. While the initial launch of Fortellis will include APIs focused on Service and Sales, over time, additional APIs created by Fortellis users across the industry and beyond will be added to support all critical workflows in the dealership. Visit developer.fortellis.io for additional details on available APIs.
A Marketplace of Solutions
Today’s automotive retail technology buyers expect to find, buy and manage the software they need in the cloud. With Fortellis Marketplace, automotive retail technology providers can easily sell their integrated product or services. Fortellis Marketplace simplifies complex aspects of selling technology products by providing automated billing, provisioning, and subscription management. It offers the speed to market, low cost, and ability to scale that technology providers appreciate. Developers can make their solutions available to a wider, eager audience, and OEMs can deliver an improved brand experience across the industry.
“As we continue to listen, research and develop, we are confident that the most transparent and effective way for the industry to advance is to create a hub of possibility,” said Ron Frey, executive vice president and chief strategy officer, CDK Global. “In fact, we believe that the best solutions are going to come through collaboration and innovation from a broad community even if — and when — these solutions come from others. Imagine a world that is only limited by the ingenuity and drive of the greatest minds in our industry. By joining the efforts of global partners, collaborators, and even competitors, we are optimistic and passionate about the future of automotive commerce.”
Experience Fortellis at the LVCC Central Hall, Booth #2216 during NADA Show 2018, March 23-25. Follow @FortellisACE on Twitter. Learn more at Fortellis.io.
About Fortellis Automotive Commerce Exchange™ Platform
Fortellis is a technology platform that enables the automotive industry to leverage, build, innovate and integrate solutions and workflows to transform business. The Fortellis platform—with its Developer Network and Marketplace--connects software developers, OEMs and dealers so they can create new and unique experiences efficiently and seamlessly. Visit fortellis.io to learn more.
About CDK Global
With more than $2 billion in revenues, CDK Global (Nasdaq: CDK) is a leading global provider of integrated information technology and digital marketing solutions to the automotive retail and adjacent industries. Focused on enabling end-to-end automotive commerce, CDK Global provides solutions to dealers in more than 100 countries around the world, serving approximately 28,000 retail locations and most automotive manufacturers. CDK solutions automate and integrate all parts of the dealership and buying process from targeted digital advertising and marketing campaigns to the sale, financing, insuring, parts supply, repair and maintenance of vehicles. Visit cdkglobal.com.
