![](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/c23c9_pb.jpg\")
\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\t<\/p>\n
Startup PBWorks,<\/a> which was formally<\/a> known as PBwiki, specializes in helping businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions collaborate via wikis. The startup has steadily added innovative, real-time features to its platform, most recently integrating<\/a> Twitter-like microblogging and tapping into the real-time stream.<\/a> Today, the startup is launching a PBworks “Template Store” that lets users adopt pre-built apps and workspaces that anyone can distribute. <\/p>\n With over 25 different apps, the template app store will include PBWorks forms and community-generated templates. Companies can create, share, and apply workspace templates to solve specific business problems or manage specific industries, including advertising and PR. PBWorks offers apid and free templates.<\/p>\n PBWorks, which had an overhaul<\/a> of its user interface and features last year, offers businesses with a project management application and a customized wiki workspace, with mobile support, document management, access controls and more. With a real-time makeover, the platform became more attractive. So if a user is editing a page and realizes that he or she needs the input of other team members, the user can request fellow employees to join the appropriate page using IM Collaboration, start a Live Editing session, and use Voice Collaboration to initiate an instant conference call. <\/p>\n Currently, PBworks manages 50,000 wiki groups with over 3 million users and has accumulated a loyal client base. The company serves teams at over a third of the Fortune 500, and was home to three presidential campaigns, the United Nations, The Financial Times and Harvard University. <\/p>\n Like Salesforce, PBworks is a paid subscription service, with no advertising. The company has raised nearly $2.5 million in funding, with its most recent funding round of $2.1 million<\/a> announced in 2007. Competitors include Microsoft Sharepoint,<\/a> Jive,<\/a> and Socialtext.<\/a> <\/p>\n And of course, we can draw comparisons to Google Wave, Google’s much-hyped<\/a> new collaboration platform. <\/p>\n Crunch Network<\/em><\/strong>: CrunchGear<\/a> <\/em>drool over the sexiest new gadgets and hardware.<\/p>\n