Wednesday, February 20, 2008

HiWired wins BJ's tech support business

By Christopher Calnan

Technology support and services provider HiWired Inc. reports that BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. has selected HiWired to offer PC technology support services to BJ's club members.

The two companies are launching TechCare, an exclusive technology services brand available to BJ's Wholesale Club members, providing 24-hour access to live technology support directly to their personal computers.

Natick-based BJ's Wholesale Club operates 177 warehouse stores and 100 gas stations in 16 states.

TechCare uses HiWired's technology to provide a platform for selling, provisioning and managing customer support sessions, proprietary diagnostic software, as well as a platform to deliver targeted marketing offerings across multiple customer segments.

Needham-based HiWired, which employs 120 workers, provides tech support to Internet service providers, retailers, small businesses and consumers.

In January, the company closed on a $9 million Series B round of financing, increasing the amount of investment capital raised by HiWired to $15.6 million, officials said.

President and co-founder Singu Srinivas said last month he expects during the first quarter 2008 to sign as new customers an ISP, a distribution company and a retailer. The additional business is projected to increase the number of HiWired workers to at least 200, he said.

HiWired investors in the latest financing round included North Hill Ventures, Kodiak Venture Partners and Sigma Partners.

In May 2007, HiWired landed its first round of venture funding, $5 million. The company had previously raised $1.6 million from angel investors.

Founded in 2004 by IBM services veterans, HiWired was launched as LightFrog LLC but changed its name in 2005 to better reflect its technology focus, company officials said.

In April 2007, Illinois-based OfficeMax Inc. signed HiWired to provide remote tech support for OfficeMax's new customer service called "ctrlcenter," or control center. HiWired also provides the software for Atlanta-based Cox Communications Inc.'s household tech support in 10 of the company's 20 markets.