Case Studies
How Action Service replaced three tools with Connecteam to streamline operations, improve billing accuracy, and boost employee accountability
Action Service is a Portland-based installation company that specializes in retail and office interior build-outs. The team works with major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Columbia, often traveling nationwide to complete projects.
Industry
Construction
Location
Portland, Oregon, USA
Products used
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“We were piecemealing things together from different places. Connecteam became a one-stop shop for us so quickly that I almost don’t even remember how we did things before.”
Key results
- Streamlined Billing: Digital time card sign-offs provide verified work hours, enabling confident client billing and preventing payroll disputes.
- Unified Operations: Replaced 3 separate tools with one unified workforce management platform
- Revenue Protection: Geo-location features stopped employees from clocking in before arriving at the job site, saving direct labor costs.
The Challenge: Disconnected Tools and No Real Accountability
Action Service manages installation crews that travel across the country. Before Connecteam, the company relied on several different tools to run daily operations. Crew was used for communication, Intuit handled timesheets, and text messages filled in the gaps. This piecemeal approach created significant administrative headaches.
This setup created ongoing problems for both the office and field teams.
- Communication was unreliable: Text messages often went unanswered or were missed because employees used different phone types, such as Android and iPhone. Important updates were easily lost in personal message threads.
- Time tracking relied on trust alone: Without location data, employees could clock in before arriving at the job site, which meant late arrivals were not always visible to the office.
- Billing was difficult to verify: When clients were billed by the hour, there was no simple way to confirm that the reported hours were accurate. This led to uncomfortable conversations and potential revenue loss.
“We were getting so frustrated at having three different platforms. We used Intuit for time sheets, Crew for communication… it was just getting ridiculous.”
How Action Service Uses Connecteam to Improve Operations
Action Service replaced all of its disconnected tools with Connecteam, creating one central system for its entire team. Every employee now uses the same app for schedules, time tracking, communication, and forms.
Schedules are published the night before each job. Crew members can immediately see where they are going, what tools they need, and which safety equipment is required.
- Time tracking is now fully accountable: Employees clock in using Connecteam’s Time Clock with location tracking, which confirms they are physically at the job site.
- Confidential work is handled securely: Because teams often work around unreleased products for brands like Nike and Adidas, employees must sign NDAs directly in the app before starting work.
- Payroll is verified before it runs: At the end of each pay period, employees review and sign their digital time cards. This confirms their hours are correct before payroll is processed.
“Having them sign off on [their time] is really huge because then we can go back if they say ‘you missed some of my hours’, well, you signed off on your sheet, so that’s on you.”
Results That Directly Impact the Bottom Line
1. Financial Accuracy & Client Trust
Moving to one system immediately improved how Action Service handles billing and payroll.
- The owner can now pull accurate reports and bill hourly clients on a weekly basis without second-guessing the data. Since employees approve their own hours, invoices are based on confirmed information.
- Payroll errors have dropped. Hours are categorized by role, such as driver or installer, which ensures employees are paid the correct rate for each task without manual corrections.
2. Increased Employee Accountability
Greater visibility changed behavior in the field without added confrontation.
- Location tracking revealed that some employees had been clocking in early. Once the team understood that clock-ins were tied to physical location, attendance reporting became accurate right away.
- Communication also improved. Group chats ensure that every crew member receives the same instructions, whether they are flying to another state or driving to a local site.
Before vs After Connecteam
| Aspect | Before Connecteam | After Connecteam |
|---|---|---|
| Tech stack | Separate tools for chat, time tracking, and spreadsheets | One app that handles all daily operations |
| Communication | Disorganized text threads and missed messages | Centralized team chat that reaches everyone |
| Time Tracking | An honor system with early clock-ins | Location-based clock-ins that confirm presence |
| Billing | Hard to verify hours for hourly clients | Digital sign-offs that support accurate invoices |
| Compliance | Paper forms and scattered emails | Digital NDAs signed and stored in one place |
Why Connecteam Was the Right Move
By switching to Connecteam, Action Service eliminated confusion, protected revenue, and created accountability across the team. What was once spread across multiple tools is now managed in one clear, reliable system. For a growing installation company working with high-profile clients, that clarity made all the difference.
