One of the biggest job creators in recent Nashville history is preparing to lay off almost 180 people as it invests in its technology systems.

Mobile device insurer Asurion said Wednesday it will cut 178 positions from its technology team, most of them working in Middle Tennessee, next February. Of the workers who will lose their jobs, 62 are based in SoBro's Ragland building and another 103 work in Grassmere. (The remaining 13 work outside of Middle Tennessee.)

The move comes as the Nashville-based company, which has more than 275 million customers around the world, prepares to retire some of its technology platforms. It is saying goodbye to internally built systems built primarily on .NET and TIBCO services in favor of a more flexible network that uses a combination of newer Pega and TIBCO technologies.

"We continually review our operations to ensure resources are aligned with the company's strategic direction, enabling us to provide the best service to our business partners and consumers and align ourselves for future growth," said Bettie Colombo, Asurion spokeswoman. "While the changes position us to grow, this was a difficult decision, as Asurion values each and every employee."

Asurion moved its headquarters to Nashville in 2003 and has since regularly expanded its operations by leaps and bounds. It now runs five offices in Davidsion County, including an 800-person call center in Antioch that was announced in the fall of last year. Once it completes its planned layoffs early next year, it will employ 3,640 people in Middle Tennessee.

Affected workers will be given a severance package, placement assistance and the option of applying for other open Asurion positions. Colombo said the company is looking to fill nearly 140 open positions locally.