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iYogi taps Verizon to connect 2000 techs to 100,000 customers

By Stuart Corner

11 March, 2010

PC technical support services provider iYogi, has contracted Verizon Business to help it deliver its remote customer service to a rapidly growing customer base.

Verizon Business is providing an integrated IP networking and applications management and will also enable the deployment of unified communications systems in the future.

The Verizon Business IP voice and data network connects iYogi operations in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US with co-location of the company””s core business application servers in Verizon Business”” Los Angeles data centre.

iYogi provides PC, applications and peripherals support to SMEs and consumers, primarily using technicians based in India. Via a web portal users give iYogi technicians remote access to their PCs. It presently markets its services primarily in the US, Australia, Canada and the UK. The three year old company claims to have more than 100,000 SME and consumer customers.

iYogi claims that its global delivery platform uses an extensive knowledge base and advance tools for diagnostics, repair and maintenance.

The company advertises support for over 72 daily use software applications, any make or model of Windows, computer and wide range of peripherals including printers, scanners and multifunction devices.

Jatin Suri, head of technology, told iTWire that Mac support was on the roadmap. "It is definitely an area we are looking at…definitely sometime in the next 18 months." The company is also looking at support smartphone in a similar timeframe.

iYogi claims customer satisfaction rate of 95 percent and resolution rate of 86 percent, which it says "are amongst the highest published benchmarks in the industry." In Australia, an annual subscription costs $220.

MEDIA CONTACT

Derek Kober
GlobalFluency
Tel.: 650-433-4233
e-mail: dkober@globalfluency.com

CONTACT

Vishal Dhar
President, Marketing
Tel.: 1-212-229-0901
e-mail: vishal@iyogi.net

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iYogi joins hands with Verizon Business

10 March, 2010

MUMBAI, USA: Verizon Business extended its integrated IP networking and applications management solutions to technical support services provider iYogi. Verizon also set a stage for the future deployment of advanced unified communications solutions.

Also Read: EIG will provide flexibility route diversity to India

The Verizon Business solution enables secure, reliable and scalable service by combining an IP voice and data network connecting iYogi operations in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, with co-location of the company’s core business application servers in Verizon Business’ Los Angeles data centre.

Vishal Dhar, president of marketing, iYogi, said: “Our global footprint is continuing to expand, so we needed to identify a partner with the reach, experience and solutions to support our ongoing growth. We’re already realizing cost and management efficiencies, but more importantly, our customers are reaping real benefits.”

MEDIA CONTACT

Derek Kober
GlobalFluency
Tel.: 650-433-4233

e-mail: dkober@globalfluency.com

CONTACT

Vishal Dhar
President, Marketing
Tel.: 1-212-229-0901

e-mail: vishal@iyogi.net

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Remote Tech Support Company iYogi Gets A $15 Million Boost From DFJ, Others

iYogi, a company that provides remote tech support directly to consumers and small businesses, has raised a Series C round to the tune of $15 million.

Robin Wauters, 06 January, 2010

iYogi, a company that provides remote tech support directly to consumers and small businesses, has raised a Series C round to the tune of $15 million.

The round was led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson and joined by prior investors Canaan Partners, SAP Ventures, and SVB India Capital Partners. The Gurgaon, India-headquartered firm earlier raised $3.1 million and $9.5 million in two rounds in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

iYogi offers a number of tech support services like PC installation and recovery, antivirus/spyware, data back-up and PC speed optimisation. Its annual unlimited tech support plan starts at $139.99. Most of its tech support services are centered around Microsoft software, but Google and Apple products are also listed on iYogi’s website

iYogi says it will use the additional capital to expand its team of Global Tech Experts, which are basically people who help consumers and SMBs solve their computer problems from a remote location. iYogi says that today, it has more than 100,000 annual subscribers and provides thousands of incident sessions every day on a 24/7 basis.

The company claims that it has seen a 300 percent growth in revenues and subscribers since 2008, and that it currently boasts an employee workforce of 1,200. iYogi intends to grow the number of Global Tech Experts to 3,000 worldwide in 2010.

iYogi delivers its services in partnership with companies like HP, Microsoft and Cisco and counts Amazon and Walmart among the retailers that have worked with the company to enhance customer service.

Have you ever used iYogi? Is it something you would recommend to your less tech-savvy friends and/or relatives?

EDITORIAL CONTACTS:

Sadaf Khan
Genesis Burson-Marsteller
+91-9899309389
sadaf.khan@bm.com

CONTACT

Vishal Dhar
President Marketing
iYogi, Inc.
DLF Building No.6
Tower C, Cyber City
Gurgaon- 122002, Haryana, India

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iYogi Secures $15 Million in Funding Led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson to Fuel Surging Market Share in Rapidly Growing Consumer Tech Support Market

The personal offshoring firm has raised a series C round, which has also seen participation from existing investors.

06 January, 2010

Jan 06, 2010 (PRWeb.com via COMTEX) —-iYogi, the fastest growing on-demand consumer tech services company, announced today it has raised $15 million in funding to accelerate the company”s continued global growth in consumer remote tech support services. Draper Fisher Jurvetson joined continuing investors Canaan Partners SAP Ventures, a division of SAP AG; and SVB India Capital Partners in the new financing.

iYogi will use the investment capital to enhance services, expand its team of Global Tech Experts, and build on the significant growth it has experienced in the last year. Since 2008, iYogi has seen 300 percent growth in revenues and subscribers, and has doubled its employee base to 1,200. For the next year, iYogi is forecasting an additional 300 percent revenue growth and an increase to 3,000 Global Tech Experts worldwide.

"The surging demand for remote technical services stems from the critical need for computer owners to keep their systems up and running and retailers to differentiate their offerings, particularly as the PC market becomes increasingly commoditized and competitive," said Mohanjit Jolly, Executive Director at Draper Fisher Jurvetson India. "With its global team of experts, advanced support services and intelligent knowledge platform, iYogi is well-positioned for significant expansion and differentiation in this category, and is partnering with top tier retailers, ISP”s, OEM”s and software vendors to broaden its footprint."

iYogi”s Global Delivery Platform is powered by certified tech experts (http://www.iyogi.net/tech-experts.html), an extensive knowledge base and advance tools for diagnostics, repair and maintenance. The company has witnessed exponential growth through online direct marketing across four primary geographies – US, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. In the coming year, iYogi will continue to build on its online brand presence and expand upon its channel partnerships to accelerate global expansion in the vast market for remote computer tech support.

"We are delighted to have support from successful, high-profile venture firms like Draper Fisher Jurvetson along with Canaan Partners, SAP Ventures and SVB India Capital Partners," said Uday Challu, co-founder and CEO of iYogi. "iYogi”s progress over the last year is both a strong reflection of the tremendous market opportunity for remote technical services and an indication of iYogi”s momentum in seizing significant market share. We are able to effectively and consistently address and resolve consumer concerns through our unique Global Delivery Model across multiple geographies with the highest resolution rates and customer satisfaction in this growing industry."

Today, iYogi has more than 100,000 annual subscribers and provides thousands of single incident sessions every day on a 24/7 basis. Its Global Delivery Platform delivers on the highest customer quality benchmarks in the industry and gets smarter with every customer interaction, building a powerful knowledge base that provides unique customer insights on predictive needs to tech support (http://www.iyogi.net/tech-support.html).

ABOUT DFJ Draper Fisher Jurvetson ("DFJ") backs extraordinary entrepreneurs everywhere who set out to change the world. DFJ achieves its mission through its DFJ Global Network of Partner Funds. Together, DFJ and the Network manage over $6B and have made more than 600 investments on four continents. With a 24-year history of success across diverse sectors and market conditions, DFJ has led the way investing in emerging technologies, from the Internet and life sciences to clean energy and nanotechnology. DFJ has been proud to back over 500 companies across many sectors including such industry changing successes such as Hotmail (acquired by MSFT), Baidu (BIDU), Skype (acquired by EBAY), United Online (UNTD), Overture (acquired by YHOO), Athenahealth (ATHN), EnerNOC (ENOC), TicketsNow (acquired by TicketMaster), Feedburner (acquired by Google), Interwoven (IWOV), Four11 (acquired by YHOO), Parametric (PMTC), and Digidesign (acquired by AVID). For more information, visit : www.dfj.com

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iYogi: Remote Support Specialist Raises $15 Million

iYogi, which provides remote PC support to consumers and small businesses, has raised roughly $15 million in its third round of funding

Joe Panettieri, 07 January, 2010

iYogi, which provides remote PC support to consumers and small businesses, has raised roughly $15 million in its third round of funding. On the upside: The news shows continued financial investment in remote managed services. On the downside: The investment is another warning sign that MSPs need to move beyond basic remote management. Here’s why.

In some ways, iYogi is like a virtual, global Geek Squad. As our sister site, The VAR Guy, pointed out in August 2009, iYogi has a simple business model:

“Online computer support is simple. You give us the green-light to connect to your computer remotely and we can fix your PC while you kick back and relax.”

Now as TechCrunch points out:

“iYogi offers a number of tech support services like PC installation and recovery, antivirus/spyware, data back-up and PC speed optimisation. Its annual unlimited tech support plan starts at $139.99. Most of its tech support services are centered around Microsoft software, but Google and Apple products are also listed on iYogi’s website.“

Every MSP should re-read that last paragraph. Basically, iYogi is trying to support consumers and small businesses for about $12 per system per month. Next, read about Geek Squad’s Virtual Agents.

See a trend? Remote monitoring and management is now your base offering. As an MSP, you need to build beyond that base — much in the way that cable companies kept pushing new services over broadband connections.

I like the folks at iYogi. And in I respect what they’re building. But it’s also a timely reminder that low-end MSPs can’t rest on their laurels

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iYogi raises $15 mn from US-based VC firm, three others

It has at least 100,000 annual subscribers and expects to end fiscal 2010 with revenue of $21 million

Deepti Chaudhary, 06 January, 2010

Bangalore: Gurgaon-based iYogi Technical Services Pvt. Ltd that offers computer support to individuals and small businesses said on Wednesday it had raised $15 million (Rs70 crore) in its third round of funding

One of its four investors credited the five-year-old venture’s year-on-year growth for its success in raising capital at a time when most early-stage firms are struggling to generate revenue.

“The capital that we have raised in this round would be utilized for enhancing services and expanding our team of global tech experts,” said Uday Challu, co-founder and chief executive, iYogi.

He added that the firm may look at a public listing after 24 months.

Founded in April 2005, iYogi had raised $3.1 million in 2007 and $9.5 million in 2008.

Draper Fisher Jurvetson, or DFJ, a US-based early-stage venture capital firm, contributed $9 million in the latest deal.

DFJ, which recently said it would look at growth-stage deals as well in India, joins continuing investors in iYogi—Canaan Partners, SAP Ventures and SVB India Capital Partners—in iYogi’s latest round of fund-raising.

“In this market, people raise capital in two cases. First, when their plans fail and they need capital for sustenance. Second, when their growth exceeds expectations,” said Mohanjit Jolly, executive director, DFJ India.

“iYogi is growing (at) 300% year-on-year. Not many companies can boast of this kind of growth,” he said.

iYogi’s primary markets are in the US, the UK, Australia and Canada. It has at least 100,000 annual subscribers and expects to end fiscal 2010 with revenues of $21 million.

According to iYogi, the global on-demand personalized computer support market is worth around $30 billion and is growing at 25-30% annually. Research firm IDC estimates global personal computer sales will grow at 10.3% in 2010, suggesting that more people will be shifting to new computers.

But Milan Sheth, partner, technology practice, Ernst and Young, raised a note of concern. “While iYogi’s B2C (business-to-customer) model ensures its high scalability,” he said, “the firm needs to ensure how it would service large number of customers in a seamless manner.”

EDITORIAL CONTACTS:

Sadaf Khan

Genesis Burson-Marsteller

+91-9899309389

sadaf.khan@bm.com

CONTACT

Vishal Dhar

President Marketing

iYogi, Inc.

DLF Building No.6

Tower C, Cyber City

Gurgaon- 122002, Haryana, India

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iYogi Raises $15M, DFJ Is New Investor

The personal offshoring firm has raised a series C round, which has also seen participation from existing investors.

MADHAV A. CHANCHANI, 06 January, 2010

Personal offshoring firm iYogi has raised a fresh round of funding led by venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ). iYogi has raised $15 million in its series-C round which has also seen participation from existing investors SAP Ventures, Canaan Partners and SVB India Capital Partners.

The Gurgaon-headquartered firm earlier raised $3.1 million and $9.5 million in two rounds in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

iYogi provides online technical support for personal computers to small business and individuals across the world. The company was founded in 2005 by current CEO Uday Challu and Vishal Dhar, who is president of marketing, The rapidly growing company had revenues of $7.1 million ( Rs 35 crore) in 2008-2009 which are expected to grow to Rs 100 crore this year. The company has established a presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

iYogi offers a number of services like PC recovery, antivirus/spyware, data back-up and PC optimisation. Its annual unlimited tech support plan starts at $139.99. It has partnered with retailers like Amazon and Walmart to offer its services. In order expand its services and presence, iYogi last year acquired US-based Clean Machine Inc, a personal computer security and performance management service provider. That deal helped the firm expand into newer markets.

The area of personal offshoring is starting to gain traction in India. While outsourcing from the enterprises and corporates around the world continues to be a big market for Indian IT/ITES companies, outsourcing services for individual and small businesses is still growing. Another segment in this area that caught investor attention is e-learning with companies like Tutorvista and Learningmate raising several rounds of funding. Other areas where personal offshoring is present are remote executive assistant (websites like GetFriday), personal income taxes and website designing.

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iYogi lands $15M to take remote technical support to the next level

Remote tech support company, iYogi has secured $15 million in third-round funding led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson and including return investors Canaan Partners, SAP Ventures, and SVB India Capital Partners.

Cody Barbierri, 06 January, 2010

Remote tech support company, iYogi has secured $15 million in third-round funding led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson and including return investors Canaan Partners, SAP Ventures, and SVB India Capital Partners. The new money will be used to improve its current offerings and expand its global team.

Similar services, like Geek Squad, require consumers to either bring in their computers to a physical store or have an on-site visit for repairs. iYogi uses remote specialists around the world to access consumer computers remotely.

After permission is granted by the user, an iYogi specialist can diagnose a problem and fix it, even from a great distance. Consumers get unlimited support for $139.99 a year — which includes around-the-clock attention and various tools to keep your PC running fast. The company also provides technical support for printers, MP3 players, digital cameras and other software applications.

The company says that it actively relies on platforms made by companies like HP, Microsoft and Cisco in order to provide its special brand of remote technical services. It has also recently bagged a couple of big name retailers as customers, including Amazon and Walmart.

The India-based company previously raised two rounds totaling $3 million in 2007 and $9.5 million in 2008.

Next Story: AT&T offers Android devices, adds apps to lower-end phones
Previous Story: Cloud-streaming game service Gaikai raises $5M

EDITORIAL CONTACTS:

Sadaf Khan

Genesis Burson-Marsteller
+91-9899309389
sadaf.khan@bm.com

CONTACT

Vishal Dhar
President Marketing

iYogi, Inc.
DLF Building No.6
Tower C, Cyber City
Gurgaon- 122002, Haryana, India

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iYogi: IT support that takes pride in its roots

By Amy Kazmin in New Delhi

1 January 28 2010

Sara Benton, a homemaker and saleswoman in Peoria, Illinois, was distressed. Her personal computer – loaded with her children’s photos and sensitive bank details – was infected by virulent viruses.

Each time she tried to use the internet, the viruses redirected her to pornographic websites, unleashing pop-ups with shocking images.3

“I couldn’t even turn my computer on for fear my kids would be standing there,” Ms Benton says. “It was horrible. I spent hours and hours trying to fix it, but I couldn’t get it to stop.”

Finally, Mr Benton contacted a young Indian company, iYogi, that helps PC users in the US and Europe deal with a full range of computer challenges, including viruses, security, installing software, and connecting peripheral equipment such as digital cameras, MP3 players, and printers.

Over the next few hours, Syed Sharique Ali, a 23-year-old iYogi networking expert, and another technician – who had remotely accessed the stricken computer in Peoria from iYogi’s sleek headquarters in Gurgaon, India – removed 14 viruses and installed new antivirus software on Ms Benton’s machine.

“They were fabulous,” she recalls. “I’ve worked with other help desks in the US and they don’t even care if they help you. But they kept being pleasant, and they kept trying to help me. It kind of blew my mind that they were in India. A couple of times, I wanted to say to them, ‘I can’t believe you are so far away’.”

The company, which started commercial operations in 2007 and now has 100,000 annual subscribers, is a brave innovator in outsourcing – an unabashedly Indian company, offering personal services directly to western retail customers.

“We firmly believe it’s the next generation of outsourcing from India,” said Vishal Dhar, iYogi’s co-founder, and president of marketing. “It’s an approach built on customer ownership and retention.”

India’s massive outsourcing industry earns about $60bn a year, running call centres for western businesses, supplying software and IT services and handling other back office processes.

Growth has been driven primarily by large western companies cutting costs by shifting whole activities offshore.

But corporate bosses normally instruct Indian call centre workers talking to overseas customers to hide the fact that they are in India, by using “western” names, accent modification training, and acculturation classes.

Some IT powerhouses do not ask the same of their highly skilled computer engineers, but this is because these companies mostly supply IT and other back-office support to big companies, rather than interacting with retail consumers.

In that sense, iYogi is blazing a trail. With its witty slogan: “Great Tech Support, Good karma,” and photos of its young, hip-looking Indian technicians featuring prominently on its website, iYogi makes no effort to hide its roots.

And it has found that distressed US computer users are willing to look far afield for the support they badly need but cannot find – or afford – at home.

It is not the only Indian company offering personal services directly to customers in the west. Bangalore-based TutorVista, founded in 2005, uses about 1,200 people to provide unlimited private tutoring to about 20,000 students in the US and elsewhere for $100 a month. Pearson, the company that owns the FT, acquired a 17 per cent stake in June.

Two other outfits, Bangalore-based GetFriday and US-based AskSunday, which has a large call centre in Hyderabad, offer personal assistant and concierge services to harried professionals.

But iYogi has tapped into the huge pool of frustrated computer users and appears to be the biggest and fastest-growing outsourcing company reaching out directly to consumers in the west.

With 100,000 subscribers to its plan for unlimited technical support for $140 a year and many more “single incident” calls each month, iYogi has more than 1,200 English-speaking technicians.

It expects to double that in the next six months to keep pace with a subscriber base growing a blistering 35 per cent quarter on quarter.

Uday Challu, chief executive, says iYogi, which has raised $27m in start-up and growth capital from SAP Ventures, Canaan Partners, SVB India Capital Partners, and Draper Fisher Jurvetson, will report turnover of about $20m for the year to the end of March, and is projecting revenues of more than $70m next year.

So far, iYogi has found particular success among those over 50, who account for 75 per cent of its subscriber base.

But with 320m PCs in use in the US – and retail technical support there estimated to be worth $15bn-$23bn a year, iYogi believes it has merely begun to tap the potential.

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