J.D. Power Will Rank Tech Support Services

Westlake Village-based J.D. Power and Associates, best known for its ratings of new cars, will start ranking the best computer tech support services. The market research company will team with the San Diego-based Support Professionals Association to rank tech support in both the consumer and enterprise markets. The two companies plan to also rank how well the companies handle calls, answer questions and solve a caller’s problems. The companies to be surveyed include household names such as Oracle Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. Text book publisher The McGraw-Hill Cos. announced last week that it will buy J.D. Power for an undisclosed amount. Industry analysts estimate the sale price to be approximately $400 million. The deal is subject to regulatory review and is expected to close in April.