Join Forces Online Web-based collaboration technology plays go-between when face-to-face isn't possible.

Considering its focus on PBX and telecom, 24-by-7 Service Inc. felt awfully disconnected from its customers, and that was translating into too many delinquent accounts.

Adopting web-based project management application Clarizen not only improved internal collaboration among 24-by-7's employees, but it also helped the company connect better with clients and cut billing cycles by up to three days.

The subscription-based product allows you to track milestones and activities associated with an account or project. Because it lives on the internet, members of an extended team--and even customers--can view the information easily and determine, for example, whether a deadline has changed. 24-by-7 integrated Clarizen's features into its internal customer service portal and opened the information to key customers.