LLR Partners Invests In WennSoft

LLR Partners, a private equity firm investing in middle market growth companies, announced a strategic investment in WennSoft Inc., an innovative field services software provider, to drive a market leadership position in the field service and specialty construction markets worldwide.

“WennSoft has an impressive, 20-year track record of delivering proven field service solutions that allow customers the ability to streamline operations and help increase revenue,” said Justin Reger, principal at LLR. “The Company’s domain expertise and industry specific field service solutions, as evidenced by the WennSoft position on Gartner’s Magic Quadrant provide a powerful base to capitalize on attractive market opportunities that will help accelerate growth.”

With nearly 1,000 customers worldwide, WennSoft provides end-to-end field services software and solutions. The Company’s platform offers highly tailored vertical solutions based on extensive field services operations expertise and enables customers to manage and streamline the installation, maintenance and repair processes with a strong emphasis in mobility.

WennSoft founder Jim Wenninger said, “We couldn’t be more excited about this new partnership. It allows the WennSoft team to realize our vision to be the leading specialty trades field service solution provider in the geographies we serve, and it supports our ability to grow unbridled in other industries and market segments.”

As part of the investment, John Jazwiec will take over as WennSoft’s CEO. Jazwiec, the former CEO of FiveCubits and RedPrairie, has significant experience leading fast-growth technology companies.

“John’s experience driving high growth organizations and his passion for the field service and specialty trades markets makes him an ideal successor,” says Wenninger. “This allows me the opportunity to work more closely with customers and focus on our industry strategy.”

“We brought John in because of his long and consistent track record of successfully scaling enterprise software companies and disrupting markets,” notes Reger. “He knows the industry and knows how to build sustainable, high growth, profitable companies that become industry leaders.”

Jazwiec added, "I am excited to begin working with the WennSoft team and LLR Partners. WennSoft, through Jim Wenninger and Julie West's leadership, has built tremendous products and a customer-centric reputation in a growing market. I anticipate my experiences at FiveCubits and RedPrairie to be very similar to WennSoft, so I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Company in its next chapter of growth.”

About Wennsoft
Established in 1995, WennSoft provides solutions for those who want to better manage installation, maintenance and repair processes. WennSoft’s innovative field service solutions streamline operations from sales to the field to accounting, arming customers with the insight they need to do their work more proactively, productively and profitably. Built on Microsoft technologies, WennSoft products have achieved Certified for Microsoft Dynamics (CfMD) status, Microsoft's highest accreditation for partner-developed solutions. WennSoft solutions may be licensed and deployed to fit customers’ business models. For more information, visit www.wennsoft.com.

About LLR Partners
LLR Partners is a private equity firm investing in middle market growth companies with proven business models. We invest in a broad range of industries, with an emphasis on technology and service-based businesses. Founded in 1999 and with more than $2 billion raised across four funds, LLR is a flexible provider of capital for growth, recapitalizations and buyouts. For more information, visit www.llrpartners.com.

Q Advisors, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to WennSoft.

WennSoft Technology Leadership
As the only Field Service solution on the Gartner Magic Quadrant built on the Microsoft Dynamics platforms, and as one of the few global ISV partners whose solutions are Certified for Microsoft Dynamics (CfMD), Microsoft’s highest certification for Independent Software Vendor (ISV) solutions, Microsoft centric organizations have both ERP or CRM based options for their field service solutions with the confidence that WennSoft has the credentials to successfully deliver.

Last Solution Guarantee
WennSoft is the first field service software organization to provide the Last Solution Guarantee. This guarantee provides customers the confidence that their investment is protected. If WennSoft doesn’t deliver what’s been contracted you can tell them what its worth and we’ll write you a check for the difference. For more information, visit www.wennsoft.com.

WennSoft and the Field Service Market
Organizations who make customers the focal point of their installation, maintenance and repair services have the competitive advantage. WennSoft serves customers who know the right technology can be the catalyst that connects their organization and ensures they are strategically ready for whatever is next. Because of the WennSoft industry focus, our customers can spend their time driving business, not teaching a solution partner how to deliver for specific industry nuances. I’m excited to join this incredibly customer-centered, industryfocused team.

Field Service Market Consolidation
There has been an uptick in focus around the field service market over the last couple years, we believe that has been driven in part by the way field service organizations weathered the economic reset, and in part because service focused operations have put increased focuson the streamlining of their operations, and leveraging technology to build customer loyalty and increase competitive differentiation.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts LLR Partners & WennSoft

1. LLR Partners approached WennSoft based on the reputation WennSoft had the software marketacross multiple geographies and industries. The team, the products and the focus that WennSoft has consistently demonstrated to serve specific customers with the best productsandservices was the driver behind the investment.
2. LLR Partners has strong ties in the field service space, and shares the WennSoft vision and passion to be the market leader.
3. LLR Partners has a proven track record for success in the partnerships they establish, and have demonstrated continued support of WennSoft team, products and strategies with a passion to go bigger, faster.

Transaction details
The transaction resulting in a partnership is official today. John Jazwiec moves into the CEO role, and Jim Wenninger, the founder, remains in place as Founder and Industry Strategist. There are no other position changes. Financial details are not disclosed.

John Jazwiec, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
John Jazwiec, CEO, joined WennSoft in 2015. Mr. Jazwiec most recently served as CEO of FiveCubits, a construction software business, and before that as CEO of RedPrairie, a warehouse and inventory management software company. Jazwiec brings a diverse business background including roles as a business founder (Nuclio) and with large organizations (Axiom, Fiserv, Siebe PLC). John has degrees from Northern Illinois University and DePaul University. He has been an adjunct professor at DePaul and Marquette MBA schools of business. And has served on a number of boards as an outside director, including LTCG and and Command Alkon. For more information, visit www.johnjazwiec.com.