- CrossLoop recognized as Editor's Pick for Windows 7
- Plimus Now Offering CrossLoop Remote Technical Services to Vendors and Affiliates
- CrossLoop Now Provides Support for Mac Users
- CrossLoop Launches Transaction System for Tech Support Help Marketplace
- CrossLoop Secures $6 Million Series B Funding To Expand Tech Support Marketplace
- CrossLoop Unveils "Help Marketplace" Where Anyone Can Get Help For Any Computer Problem
- CrossLoop Raises $3 Million in Series A Financing and Announces the Release of Dynamic Profiles in CrossLoop V2.0
CrossLoop recognized as Editor's Pick for Windows 7
Plimus Now Offering CrossLoop Remote Technical Services to Vendors and Affiliates
Mac Users Can Access Thousands of Experts for Immediate, Remote Tech Support
SAN JOSE, Calif. - October 1, 2009 - Plimus, Inc., provider of the leading independent outsourced e-business platform, is now offering CrossLoop's online tech support and training services to all vendors and affiliates in the Plimus network.
CrossLoop, the leading online network of certified, world-class technology professionals, offers individuals and businesses low-cost, remote technical support and training. Vetted experts are available around the clock to take control of a customer's computer and solve technical problems remotely using CrossLoop's free, easy-to-use, award-winning desktop sharing software, which has been recommended by the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Forbes, PC Advisor, and Business Week. With a 99% customer satisfaction rating, CrossLoop is known for friendly service, the highest success rates, quick solutions, and fair prices. Plus, CrossLoop stands behind its service with a full money-back guarantee.
Plimus vendors can now offer these IT and training services to their customers alongside their own products, earning money with each sale, allowing them the opportunity to quickly generate additional revenue with minimal effort. For example, a software vendor may offer a "Do It For Me Download" service whereby a CrossLoop expert will assist the end customer with the download, installation and configuration of the software application. This service better supports the end customer while also allowing vendors to lower customer support costs by offering immediate, guided support by CrossLoop experts trained in servicing their products from within the support section of their site.
"Plimus is committed to serving the needs of our growing Vendor base," commented Simon Jones, VP of Marketing for Plimus. "Offering CrossLoop's world-class remote technical services is yet another way for our sellers to enhance their product offerings."
In addition to their wide service catalog, CrossLoop's support of anti-virus software, networking, security, and software training complement well Plimus' extensive product catalog and Vendor community.
Plimus Vendors can also request custom support packages that can include installation, configuration, training, or troubleshooting for the vendor's own software or hardware, with immediate, online fulfillment delivered by trained CrossLoop experts.
"We are excited to partner with Plimus' best-in-class e-commerce platform and their large, growing network of vendors and affiliates," added Lisa Alderson, CEO of CrossLoop. "Through this partnership, Plimus vendors can now deliver premium technical services to their customers, turning a cost center into a revenue enhancement opportunity, while affiliates can benefit from an increased revenue stream."
Interested parties should contact CrossLoop to jointly define custom service packages to sell to their customers.
About Plimus
Plimus, Inc., a global e-commerce solutions provider, builds and manages online businesses for thousands of software publishers, web hosting companies and online retailers. Plimus helps companies and publishers of all sizes maximize online revenues and reduce the costs and risks of running an e-commerce operation. The company's award-winning platform offers order management, fraud prevention, export controls, tax management, physical and digital product fulfillment, multi-currency and multi-language support, advanced reporting services, marketing tools, licensing management, an affiliate network, and much more. For more information, visit www.plimus.com.
About CrossLoop
CrossLoop is redefining the tech support category for consumers and small businesses by providing immediate, low-cost access to qualified help anytime and anywhere. Through its easy-to-use desktop sharing software and network of technology professionals, CrossLoop connects computer users with trusted, qualified independent service providers. Available in 21 languages and used by individuals and businesses in over 190 countries, CrossLoop serves over two million users and has enabled more than 100 million "help minutes" to provide technical support, training and collaboration around the globe. CrossLoop is backed by El Dorado Ventures and Venrock. For more information, please visit www.crossloop.com.
CrossLoop Now Provides Support for Mac Users
Mac Users Can Access Thousands of Experts for Immediate, Remote Tech Support
CAMPBELL, Calif. - May 4, 2009 - CrossLoop, Inc., an Internet company that enables consumers and small businesses to receive help through independent service providers and technology, today announced Mac users can now gain easy access to immediate and qualified technical support. Through a Mac-specific beta version of CrossLoop's award-winning, free desktop sharing software, CrossLoop enables Mac users across the globe to find immediate help and training for virtually any tech issue - anytime, anywhere.
CrossLoop Mac compatibility enables a more seamless experience while providing application training and support across platforms, whether users enlist tech-savvy family and friends for free or access CrossLoop's network of tech Helpers for professional support. Users can now transfer files seamlessly, from Mac to Mac, Mac to Windows, or Windows to Mac. This is especially valuable to consumers switching from a PC to a Mac. Consumers can now receive tech support from CrossLoop's network of trusted, qualified service providers, regardless of their computing platform preference.
"Mac compatibility has been the most sought after feature among our rapidly growing user base," said Lisa Alderson, CrossLoop's chief executive officer. "Consumers and small businesses look to CrossLoop Helpers for assistance with everything from removing computer viruses and backing up data to training for thousands of software programs or simply synching an iPhone. We're happy to now be able to offer users the support they need across platforms."
According to a recent Parks Associates survey1, mixed computer households - including both PCs and Macs - are 38% more likely to have reported the need for technical support in the past year. These households are 55% more likely to use professional tech support services to resolve home computer problems.
"As growing numbers of households are using both Macs and PCs, it will be imperative that support vendors support this mixed environment," said Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst with Parks Associates. "Adding Mac support will allow CrossLoop to extend its unique service offerings to a growing number of households in need."
CrossLoop's easy-to-use, free desktop sharing technology simplifies working securely with others in different physical locations across diverse network environments. Combined with the community of more than 10,000 technology experts, CrossLoop brings personal relationships back to tech support. Technology experts in the CrossLoop Marketplace have a wide range of expertise, including hardware support, software and applications support and training. Users have logged over 100 million help minutes to date, which translates to more than 190 years of connectivity in less than three years.
CrossLoop continues to grow its platform and service to help solve customers' tech support issues. Over the last year, the number of Helpers in the Marketplace has increased more than 430 percent. The total number of help sessions has grown 380 percent to over five million sessions.
The CrossLoop Help Marketplace and CrossLoop's free desktop sharing software are available at www.crossloop.com.
About CrossLoop
CrossLoop is redefining the tech support category for consumers and small businesses by providing immediate, low-cost access to qualified help anytime and anywhere. Through its easy-to-use desktop sharing software and network of technology professionals, CrossLoop connects computer users with trusted, qualified independent service providers and tech-savvy friends who can provide the support they need immediately. Consumers and small businesses lose productivity due to lack of accessible, knowledgeable tech support resources. CrossLoop makes finding and working with tech support professionals fast, friendly and affordable. Available in 21 languages and used by individuals and businesses in over 190 countries, CrossLoop serves over two million users and has enabled more than 100 million "help minutes" to provide technical support, training and collaboration around the globe. CrossLoop is backed by El Dorado Ventures and Venrock. For more information, please visit www.crossloop.com.
1 Customer Support in the Digital Home, a survey of more than 2,000 U.S. broadband households conducted in Q2 2009.
Media Contact:
Leah Davis, MS&L
916-983-6965
leah.davis@mslworldwide.com
CrossLoop Launches Transaction System for Tech Support Help Marketplace
CAMPBELL, Calif. - November 18, 2008 - CrossLoop, Inc., the world's leading "Help Marketplace" where low-cost, qualified technical help is immediately available, today launched a new payment system. This empowers technology experts in its Help Marketplace to more effectively provide computer support and training to consumers and small businesses. It comes with a 48-hour money back guarantee to ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, the new transaction system simplifies payment processing for CrossLoop Helpers and customers by accepting any major credit card and PayPal, while tracking each tech support interaction.
CrossLoop's very popular and easy-to-use desktop sharing technology simplifies working securely with others in different physical locations across diverse network environments. Combined with the Help Marketplace, a community of more than 13,000 technology experts in over 130 countries, CrossLoop brings personal relationships back to tech support and helps with virtually any technology issue. Technology experts in the Help Marketplace have a wide range of expertise, including hardware support, software and applications support and training, and have logged more than 65 million help minutes to date (equivalent to 120 years of connectivity amongst users).
"Our new transaction system lets us handle all payments for services provided through the Help Marketplace and adds another layer of assurance for customers with our 48-hour money back guarantee," said Lisa Alderson, CrossLoop's chief executive officer. "Meanwhile, it lets Helpers provide estimates, track service sessions and process payments more effectively."
The Help Marketplace community of tech experts – ranging from independent technology specialists to engineers from large technical support companies – will now be able to provide quick service estimates, track service sessions and history, and monitor the status of all transactions. The new system also incorporates a console for customers to view their help session history and easily return to experts who have successfully helped them in the past.
"This is a great move on CrossLoop's part, with a fair commission system and service guarantee," said Howard Weiss, a CrossLoop Helper who is an Instructor at Pima Community College and a small business owner of Tucson Computer Training in Tucson, Ariz. "It will significantly help me grow my business and build customer loyalty."
CrossLoop continues to grow its platform to help solve customer's tech support issues and is committed to investing in the experts in its Help Marketplace. Unique features for the Help Marketplace community include dynamic profiles that update Helpers' information in real time, the ability to measure their expertise and build their reputations, as well as powerful tools to market and promote themselves.
The CrossLoop Help Marketplace and CrossLoop's free desktop sharing software are available at www.crossloop.com.
About CrossLoop
CrossLoop is redefining the tech support category for consumers and small businesses by providing immediate, low-cost access to qualified help anytime and anywhere. Through its easy-to-use desktop sharing software and Help Marketplace, CrossLoop connects computer users with trusted, qualified service providers and tech-savvy friends who can provide the support they need immediately. Consumers and small businesses lose productivity due to lack of accessible, knowledgeable tech support resources. CrossLoop makes finding and working with tech support professionals fast, friendly and affordable. Available in 21 languages and used by individuals and businesses in over 190 countries, CrossLoop serves over 1 million unique users and has enabled more than 65 million "help minutes" to provide technical support, training and collaboration around the globe. CrossLoop is backed by El Dorado Ventures (www.eldorado.com) and Venrock (www.venrock.com). For more information, please visit www.crossloop.com.
Media Contact:
Leah Davis, MS&L
916-983-6965
leah.davis@mslworldwide.com
CROSSLOOP SECURES $6 MILLION SERIES B FUNDING TO EXPAND GLOBAL TECH SUPPORT MARKETPLACE
Venrock Leads Round, Richard Moran and Andre Haddad Join Board of Directors
CAMPBELL, Calif. - Sept. 15, 2008 - CrossLoop, Inc., which has built the world's largest network of computer support and training professionals offering personalized help using its award-winning desktop sharing software, today announced that it has raised a $6 Million Series B round of financing led by Venrock, a premier venture capital firm founded by the Rockefeller family, and has added two new members to its Board of Directors. El Dorado Ventures, which led the company's Series A financing, joined the round.
Richard Moran, a partner at Venrock and 25-year Silicon Valley veteran, joined the Board along with Andre Haddad, CEO of Shopping.com (an eBay company) and prior SVP of product at eBay.
CrossLoop, which enables individuals and small businesses to receive technical support and computer training through free desktop sharing software, will use the funding to advance product development and expansion, as well as for sales and marketing.
"As technology becomes complex and ingrained into every facet of our lives, both at work and at home, it is important for users to have immediate and affordable access to support solutions from professionals who care about their problems," said Venrock's Moran. "CrossLoop is becoming the go-to marketplace for individuals and small businesses in need of technology support and for professionals who are looking to share their expertise and expand their client base."
"CrossLoop has put tremendous effort into boosting its marketplace to over one million users spread across 190 countries by leveraging social media tactics and engaging its community in its growth," said Haddad, who built a name for himself in the world of global online marketplaces through his work at eBay and iBazar, which was sold to eBay for $140 million in 2001. "I admire the company's tenacity and dedication to building a much-needed global marketplace for tech support online, and look forward to working with them to expand this base and its offerings even further."
Launched in late 2006, CrossLoop provides software that helps connect people with trusted contacts - both friends and professional service providers - to provide technical support, training and collaboration. Recognizing that technology support has historically been a difficult and expensive process, this year CrossLoop introduced the Help Marketplace, a community of trusted technical experts ranging from independent specialists to engineers at large tech support companies.
By visiting CrossLoop.com, those needing help can quickly identify the support professional they need to solve their problem and get immediate help remotely. With over 10,000 user-rated professionals in more than 130 countries, CrossLoop offers technical support and training for thousands of different software programs and a broad selection of hardware and networking related issues. Professional service fees start at just $5 an hour and average $50 an hour - just a fraction of traditional tech support service fees.
"We are excited to partner with our new Board members and investors to redefine how people get help on their computers by bringing low price, convenience and selection directly to the consumer and small business anywhere and everywhere," said Lisa Alderson, president and CEO, CrossLoop, Inc. "The customer response has been overwhelming, with over 90 percent of users finding immediate success. We have hundreds of Helpers standing by, ready to help right now."
About CrossLoop
CrossLoop (http://www.crossloop.com) is a consumer Internet company that makes helping other people fast, friendly and cost-effective by empowering any two people anywhere in the world to connect live via computer. Through its easy-to-use desktop sharing software and global, user-verified Help Marketplace, CrossLoop connects computer users with trusted, qualified service providers and friends who can provide the support they need quickly and conveniently. Available in 21 languages and used by individuals and businesses in over 190 countries, CrossLoop serves over 1 million unique users and has enabled more than 50 million "help minutes" to provide technical support, training and collaboration around the globe. CrossLoop is backed by Venrock (http://www.venrock.com), El Dorado Ventures (http://www.eldorado.com) and Altura Ventures (http://www.altura.com). For more information, please visit www.crossloop.com.
About Venrock
Venrock is a premier venture capital firm with offices in Palo Alto, New York, Cambridge, MA, and Israel. Originally established as the venture capital arm of the Rockefeller family, Venrock continues a seven-decade tradition of partnering with entrepreneurs to establish successful, enduring companies. Having invested $2.2 billion in 417 companies resulting in 124 IPOs over the past 39 years, Venrock's investment returns place it among the top tier venture capital firms that have achieved consistently superior performance. With a primary focus on technology, healthcare, and energy, portfolio companies have included Adify, Adnexus Therapeutics, Apple Computer, Check Point Software, DoubleClick, Illumina, Intel, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Sirna Therapeutics, StrataCom, and Vontu. For more information, please visit Venrock's website at www.venrock.com.
About El Dorado
El Dorado Ventures (EDV) is a leading entrepreneur-focused, early-stage venture capital firm with over two decades of success. Entrepreneurs see EDV as a trusted investment partner who shares their vision and helps them succeed by providing ongoing strategic guidance and access to a wealth of industry contacts. With $750 million in capital under management, the firm invests across the information technology spectrum, from semiconductors and systems to communications, software and services, targeting both consumers and the enterprise. El Dorado's early-stage investments have included Compellent Technologies, Cyras Systems, EarthLink, Efficient Networks, Novellus and NuSpeed Internet Systems. Numerous EDV portfolio companies have gone public or been acquired by major technology companies including AT&T, Ciena, Cisco Systems, nVidia, Siemens, Texas Instruments and Yahoo. For more information, please visit www.eldorado.com.
For further information, please contact:
Theresa Maloney
Cogenta Communications
925.287.1509
Kelly Krebs
Horn Group, Inc. for Venrock
415.905.4059
CrossLoop Unveils "Help Marketplace" Where Anyone Can Get Help For Any Computer Problem
The World's Easiest to Use Secure Desktop Sharing Software Company Unleashes Searchable Community of More Than 5,000 Technical Experts
CAMPBELL, Calif. - April 22, 2008 - CrossLoop, Inc., creator of the world's easiest to use secure desktop sharing software, today unveiled its new online community - the Help Marketplace - available now for free. CrossLoop Help Marketplace customers can quickly find and connect to trusted technical experts who can provide troubleshooting assistance, technical support, and training for any computer problem or need.
Whether it's learning how to use a new accounting software package or how to improve the performance of your PC, everyone needing computer assistance now has instant access to the growing CrossLoop community of more than 5,000 user-rated technical experts ranging from independent specialists to engineers at large tech support companies.
By searching through detailed technical expert profiles, those needing help can quickly identify the support professional they need to solve their problem, view ratings and reviews from others who have used their services, and initiate a personal support engagement.
Once connected to a technical expert, the CrossLoop software provides easy-to-use desktop screen sharing so that helpers and those they are helping can collaborate as if they were working side by side. The fast-to-download solution enables any two Windows PCs on earth to connect and share screens. Computers connected by CrossLoop can also exchange files and switch control for a truly collaborative user experience, allowing technical experts to solve problems more efficiently from remote locations.
"Until now, finding trustworthy tech support has been painfully inconvenient and stressful, riddled with travels through a call center or to a retail chain," said Lisa Alderson, president and CEO, CrossLoop, Inc. "We designed the CrossLoop Help Marketplace to reduce frustration and dramatically improve how people both give and receive help on their computers. The collective knowledge found in our growing community of Helpers provides the means to address any technical issue and enables more personalized service. Our global, user-verified helpdesk with person-to-person support will put 'care' back into customer care."
"CrossLoop is really amazing," said Helen Amelio of Tampa, Florida, after being helped by a service provider over 700 miles away in Tennessee. "Your program makes it so much easier to have someone else take care of simple problems remotely. It was fun to watch my cursor move around and solve my problem while I vacuumed my room. CrossLoop is the best thing I've seen in a long time."
"I am a huge fan of CrossLoop," said Kevin Armstrong, owner, Acclaim PC Services, a tech support company out of Ohio with more than 40 credentialed systems engineers that support small-to-medium sized enterprises. Acclaim PC was built to take the stress out of technology, and thanks to CrossLoop, it can more easily and efficiently service computer issues whenever they arise and wherever customers reside. "The market potential here is great. Not only can I help people in less time, creating cost savings for my clients, but I also see tremendous potential for me to develop my customer base. Every time I use CrossLoop to service a customer, my reputation automatically grows stronger in the network, and my services become more valuable."
The CrossLoop desktop sharing software available today is free to download for both personal and business use. Current users of CrossLoop's free desktop sharing software range from professional service providers helping hundreds of clients to large organizations providing help-desk support to remote office employees and specialty consultants to individuals helping friends and family members across geographies.
The CrossLoop Help Marketplace and CrossLoop's free desktop sharing software are live and available now at http://www.crossloop.com.
About CrossLoop
CrossLoop (http://www.crossloop.com) is a consumer Internet company that makes helping other people fast, friendly and cost-effective by empowering any two people anywhere in the world to connect live via computer. Through its easy-to-use desktop sharing software and global, user-verified Help Marketplace, CrossLoop connects computer users with trusted, qualified service providers and friends who can provide the support they need quickly and conveniently. Available in 21 languages and used by individuals and businesses in over 190 countries, CrossLoop serves over 600,000 unique users and has enabled more than 30 million "help minutes'to provide technical support, training and collaboration around the globe. CrossLoop is backed by El Dorado Ventures (http://www.eldorado.com) and Altura Ventures (http://www.altura.com). For more information, please visit www.crossloop.com.For further information, please contact:
Erin Jones
Cogenta Communications
704.664.2170
CrossLoop Raises $3 Million in Series A Financing and Announces the Release of Dynamic Profiles in CrossLoop V2.0
Users of CrossLoop's Free Desktop Sharing Software Can Now Create Free Accounts to Build, Track and Promote Their Technical Expertise
Pacific Grove, CA - December 3, 2007 - CrossLoop, Inc., creator of the world's easiest to use secure desktop sharing software, today announced that it has raised $3 Million in a Series A financing led by El Dorado Ventures.
CrossLoop connects people with trusted contacts - both friends and professional service providers - to receive help on their computers. With CrossLoop, people can help their contacts remotely as if they were working side by side. Popular uses for CrossLoop include helping people learn a new software program, providing them with technical assistance, and trouble-shooting problems on their computer.
"Technology makes people more productive and efficient, but it also comes at a cost. The average consumer spends hours each week addressing computer problems," said Lisa Alderson, President and CEO, CrossLoop, Inc. "We are pleased to be working with El Dorado because they share our vision of dramatically changing the time-consuming and often expensive process that consumers and small businesses go through to get basic computer help today."
With this investment, Tom Peterson, General Partner at El Dorado Ventures, joins CrossLoop's board of directors.
"Since launching last November, CrossLoop has seen rapid adoption with hundreds of thousands of user sessions connecting people in over 150 countries worldwide," said Tom Peterson. "We are excited to partner with the CrossLoop team to help them achieve their vision of solving the frequent computer support problems that every computer user has experienced."
With CrossLoop's free desktop sharing software, everyone can help someone. Current users range from professional service providers helping hundreds of clients, to individuals helping friends and family members across geographies.
According to one service provider, "I've been waiting for CrossLoop for 6 years! We've tried every remote desktop sharing software out there and our client base cannot use any of them - they're far too complex. This has changed the dynamics of our entire company. My happy customers are now jubilant customers, and support call length has been reduced from an average of 1 hour to 15 minutes!"
Another CrossLoop user says, "Grandma loves it! She's 80 and crashes her computer regularly... its 180 miles to her house to make it right, or just 5 minutes on CrossLoop. Beat that for reducing our carbon footprint!"
New Dynamic Profile Service Now Available
CrossLoop also unveiled its new design and web service that complements its popular desktop sharing software. The web service enables users to create free CrossLoop accounts to track, build and promote their technical credentials.
This is the first dynamic profile in the industry - one that will update automatically every time a member uses CrossLoop to share desktops. This helps professional service providers to build and track their credentials with every CrossLoop help session. It also allows providers to capture and share ratings, reviews and testimonials. CrossLoop members can then market themselves effortlessly by publishing a widget - their CrossLoop Badge - on any site, blog or social network to promote their expertise anywhere on the web.
It is all live and available now at http://www.crossloop.com.
About El Dorado Ventures
El Dorado Ventures (EDV) is a leading entrepreneur-focused, early-stage venture capital firm with over two decades of success. Entrepreneurs see EDV as a trusted investment partner who shares their vision and helps them succeed by providing ongoing strategic guidance and access to a wealth of industry contacts. With $750 million in capital under management, the firm invests across the information technology spectrum, from semiconductors and systems to communications, software and services, targeting both consumers and the enterprise. El Dorado's early-stage investments have included Compellent Technologies, Cyras Systems, EarthLink, Efficient Networks, Novellus and NuSpeed Internet Systems. Numerous EDV portfolio companies have gone public or been acquired by major technology companies including AT&T, Ciena, Cisco Systems, nVidia, Siemens, Texas Instruments and Yahoo. For more information, please visit www.eldorado.com.About CrossLoop
CrossLoop is a consumer Internet company that empowers everyone to help someone anywhere in the world with its free and easy-to-use desktop sharing software application. CrossLoop connects computer users with trusted, qualified service providers and friends who can provide the support they need quickly and conveniently. With over 10 million help minutes served and over 300,000 unique users, CrossLoop is available in 21 languages and is used by individuals and businesses in over 150 countries for technical support, training and collaboration. CrossLoop is backed by El Dorado Ventures and Altura Ventures. For more information, please visit www.crossloop.com.For further information, please contact:
Lisa Alderson
Jon Greer
510-547-7123
