Leading Sage VAR HighTower Closes Its Doors

Late Friday a notice was posted on the company's Web site alerting customers that SWK Technologies, another Sage developer and business partner, "will be handling all HighTower client support, as well as supporting resellers of HighTower enhancements."

HighTower, based in Skokie, Ill., was an ERP systems consultant and developer that resold a range of Sage products including its MAS 90, MAS 200 and MAS 500 ERP applications and the company's SalesLogix and Sage CRM software. In November Sage North America designated HighTower, a Gold level partner, as one of 60 members of its President's Circle of business partners that generate the highest revenue across a range of product categories.

HighTower also partnered with cloud application vendor NetSuite, business software developer Syspro, Microsoft, Symantec and Citrix, among others,

"We’re aware of the situation at Hightower and are closely monitoring it to ensure customers are able to get the support they need," said a Sage spokesperson late Friday.

One industry source said the company shut down earlier in the week because of financial problems and employees were sent home with their personal belongings.

"Since 1999, HighTower has partnered with SWK Technologies, a leading Sage developer and business partner, to better serve our mutual clients," reads the notice on the HighTower Web site. "Effective today, Friday March 23, 2012, SWK will be handling all HighTower client support, as well as supporting resellers of HighTower enhancements."

The notice also said SWK will provide telephone and remote support from Monday through Friday, between 8:30 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. ET. "Calls will be handled on a first come, first served basis, with special consideration to mission-critical issues," the notice said. The notice provides a phone number (877.979.5462), email address ([email protected]) and the SWK Support Portal (http://support.swktech.com) as options for HighTower customers.

As of Monday morning the HighTower Web site was still operating, touting the company's products and services. HighTower's main phone number, however, plays a recording referring callers to SWK. Emails sent to CEO Jeffrey Rosengarden and president Robert Nordin, who co-founded HighTower in 1987, were not immediately returned.

SWK Technologies, based in Livingston, N.J., is also a Sage reseller and member of the company's President's Circle of partners. The company has more than a dozen regional offices, sales offices and support centers across the U.S. and supports customers throughout the country, according to its Web site.

HighTower's shutdown is reminiscent of the sudden collapse of MIS Group, one of Sage's largest channel partners, in July 2009.