Karmak Unveils New AI-Powered Solutions at 2026 Conference & Expo

Introduction of Karmak iQ and Ember highlights continued investment in AI-driven business intelligence and operational tools for the commercial vehicle industry.

(Carlinville, IL - October 28, 2026) – Karmak, a leading provider of business management solutions for the commercial vehicle industry, unveiled new artificial intelligence capabilities for its Fusion and Blaze platforms during Karmak Conference & Expo 2026, held October 20–22 at Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

The announcements included Karmak iQ, an AI-powered analytics and business intelligence solution for Fusion, and Ember, an AI assistant designed to help Blaze users access information, navigate workflows, and gain operational insights.

Held under the theme Count On It, the annual conference brought together customers, industry partners, and Karmak employee owners for three days of education, product innovation, and industry collaboration.

A Practical Approach to Artificial Intelligence

During the opening general session, Karmak President and CEO Jim Allen explored the evolving role of artificial intelligence in business, drawing on insights from his recent completion of an MIT executive education program focused on technology leadership and AI.

Allen addressed opportunities and challenges surrounding AI adoption, including cybersecurity, governance, and the importance of identifying meaningful business problems before investing in emerging technology.

"There's certainly no shortage of excitement surrounding artificial intelligence, but excitement alone doesn't build a better business," said Allen. "One of my biggest takeaways from MIT was surprisingly simple: start with the business problem, then determine whether AI is the right solution. Don't buy the technology and go looking for a problem to solve."

Karmak iQ Brings AI-Powered Business Intelligence to Fusion

A central announcement of the conference was the introduction of Karmak iQ, an analytics and business intelligence solution that connects to live Fusion data, providing interactive dashboards, advanced analytics, and conversational AI capabilities without relying on manual exports or overnight data processing.

Karmak iQ utilizes Richard, an AI-powered analytical assistant that allows users to ask business questions in natural language and receive contextual answers based on their Fusion data.

Key Capabilities of Karmak iQ

Key capabilities highlighted during the conference include:

• Live Fusion Data: Access current operational information without waiting for scheduled exports, overnight processing, or manually generated reports.
• Built-In Security and Governance: Existing Fusion user permissions, including branch-level access restrictions, carry forward into Karmak iQ.
• Conversational AI with Richard: Ask business questions in natural language and explore results without specialized reporting knowledge or complex prompts.
• Advanced Business Analytics: Explore interactive dashboards, operating ratios, and approximately 60 key operating variables across business functions.
• Self-Service Intelligence: Investigate trends, refine analyses, and answer follow-up questions without relying on traditional reporting requests or technical resources.

"What we've heard consistently from our customers is that they want their data to be easier to access, easier to understand, and easier to put to work," said Allen. "They shouldn't have to run three different reports, combine spreadsheets, and wait for someone else to tell them what's happening in their business."

Karmak iQ is designed to help business leaders and operational teams explore performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions using information already available in Fusion, while maintaining existing user permissions and security controls.

Karmak also announced a limited-availability Charter Program for the first 25 participating customers, offering introductory pricing and additional access to Richard AI capabilities.

Watch the Karmak iQ introduction video below to learn more about the solution.

Ember Expands AI Capabilities for Blaze Customers

Karmak also introduced Ember, an AI-powered assistant designed for its Blaze business management system.

Combining knowledge of Blaze workflows with access to permitted operational data, Ember allows users to interact with the system through natural language. The assistant is designed to help users learn system functionality, retrieve information, generate reports, and identify business trends.

"Whether a customer operates on Fusion or Blaze, our philosophy remains the same," said Allen. "We want technology that makes their people better at what they do, reduces unnecessary complexity, and helps them make better business decisions. AI should be working for our customers, not creating more work for them."

Both solutions reflect Karmak's approach to AI development, emphasizing practical business applications, appropriate security and governance, and technology that supports human decision-making.

Leadership and Industry Collaboration Take Center Stage

Beyond the technology announcements, the conference featured Campfire Leadership, a keynote conversation between Allen and Drew Hettich, President and Chief Operating Officer of Wiers and a Bronze Star recipient for his military service in Iraq.

‍

Drawing on experiences from his deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, Hettich explored the importance of adaptability, maintaining perspective under pressure, and building teams capable of responding when circumstances change.

Attendees also participated in educational sessions developed from customer feedback, including dedicated programming for Fusion and Blaze users, along with opportunities to engage directly with Karmak product experts and industry partners.

Karmak highlighted continued development across its broader portfolio, including mobile service solutions, scheduling, and connected workflows designed to support commercial vehicle businesses.

"Our customers count on us to listen, innovate, solve problems, and continue getting better," said Allen. "That is a responsibility we take seriously. What excites me most isn't simply what we announced this week. It's what we're building together and the opportunities ahead for this incredible industry."

Karmak Conference & Expo 2027 will return to Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, October 19–21, 2027.