Klipboard Celebrates 50 Years of Helping Businesses Move Forward

Five decades of industry expertise, innovation and partnership have taken Klipboard from its beginnings in 1976 to a global technology business serving 55,000 customers worldwide.

CARY, N.C., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Klipboard, the industry-specific business software company, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. October 2026 marks five decades of working alongside and supporting businesses with industry-specific software and knowledge to help them adapt, grow and make the most of changing technology.

Founded in 1976 as Kerridge Computer Company, the business has changed a lot over the past half-century. What began as software for niche industries in the UK has grown into Klipboard today: a global provider of industry-specific business management technology supporting 55,000 customers across automotive, distribution, rental and field service.

The milestone comes as the pace of technological change continues to accelerate.

Over the past 50 years, Klipboard has helped businesses navigate the arrival of personal computing, graphical user interfaces, the internet, cloud computing and mobile technology, alongside periods of significant economic and industry change. Today, developments in artificial intelligence, data and automation are creating another major shift in how businesses operate and make decisions.

Throughout that change, Klipboard has continued to evolve its technology around the industries and businesses it serves.

Today, Klipboard operates across 30 global offices, combining international scale with the industry expertise developed through decades of working closely with customers.

Ian Bendelow, CEO of Klipboard, said: "50 years is a remarkable milestone, and one that gives us an opportunity to reflect on just how much has changed.

"Since Klipboard began its journey, we've seen the arrival of the internet, mobile phones, cloud computing, social media and now artificial intelligence. We've also lived through economic booms, recessions, global crises and enormous changes within the industries our customers operate in."

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together and grateful to every customer, partner and employee who has been part of that journey. But while 50 years gives us plenty to celebrate, what excites me most is what comes next." 

From industry software to connected business technology

Klipboard's development over five decades reflects the changing role technology plays within the businesses it supports.

From the earliest business systems designed to help companies manage everyday processes, technology has become fundamental to how organizations manage inventory, sales, customers, assets, finance, operations and, increasingly, the information behind their business decisions.

Klipboard has evolved alongside these requirements, developing and bringing together industry-specific ERP and business management solutions designed around the way customers actually work.

This evolution continues today.

Alongside its core business management platforms, Klipboard is investing in cloud technology, connected applications, embedded payments, data intelligence and solutions with native or embedded AI**, all with the aim of helping** customers compete better by reducing manual work, improving visibility and making better-informed decisions.

The recent introduction of Klipboard Intelligence represents another step in that journey, combining industry-specific operational data, industry expertise and advanced analytics to help businesses understand what is changing and identify where to act next.

50 years, and looking forward

Klipboard's anniversary will be marked throughout its 50th year by celebrating the customers, colleagues, partnerships and innovations that have shaped the business.

A new timeline charts some of the milestones from 1976 to today, from the company's early years and first software developments through international expansion and successive generations of technology.

But the anniversary is intended to look forward as much as it looks back.

Bendelow added: "The technology will continue to change, just as it has throughout our first 50 years. Our job is to understand what those changes mean for our customers and turn them into something genuinely useful."

"We've achieved a huge amount together in our first 50 years. Now we can build on that experience and help our customers navigate whatever comes next."

About Klipboard

Klipboard delivers purpose-built, cloud-based software solutions designed for wholesale distribution, automotive aftermarket, rental and auto services. By combining powerful ERP technology with industry-specific features, Klipboard helps businesses streamline operations, improve visibility and drive growth. The company has been in business for over 50 years, offering a comprehensive solution-based business management system, with a wide range of supporting and managed services. Klipboard serves 55,000+ customers in 70+ countries and has over 1,600 team members globally. For more information, visit klipboard.com/en-us.

SOURCE Klipboard