I have reviewed several posts on this forum regarding billing programs for web host providers. I dabble a little with design and hosting. I host about 20 websites for 12 clients.

I have been trying to use a program called PerlBill. I think this program originally started out as a help desk type program and incorporated billing into it. The program cost around $200.00.

I was wondering if anyone has PerlBill 100% working without any problems. Also, could anyone recommend an another program. Someday I may get another client, I would like a program that works.

Regards,
Jerry Williams
Bantas Creek Productions


I would like to thank each and every one of you who contributed a response to my posting. I am sorry that some of you have had trouble with PerlBill. Now I do not feel so alone. Some of you have mentioned the same thing(s) I have experienced the last few billings. It has been an embarrassment to me having to explain to my clients that my billing program is not working.

I would like to address those of you who have PerlBill working to your satisfaction. Don't upgrade or change a thing. If PerlBill worked up to it's potential it would be an awesome program worth twice the money.

I have no experince with perlbill . If you would like to try

www.modernbill.com . they have 30 days demo. I made some resourch before bying this solution.

Have a look. What I have noticed this app is the most popular .

regards

there's also phpmanager, but i think modernbill is right now one of the best solutions...

Hi Jerry,

I use perlbill for my site and its great. Now I have customized it a lot and got a custom script added to it for a download section. Also I am going to be getting someone to build a coupon and affiliate system for it soon.

It is a great script and I highly recommend it.

Thanks

I use Pelrbill and can't get invoices to generate from certain screens. Some of the invoices that due generate are generated incorrectly. Hopefully, there will be a release of just bug fixes and no more features.

-Mike

I can't fault PerlBill.
Works well and we have no real problems. I've tested ModernBill and still prefer PerlBill. It's great and really helps us keep track of everything.

I have tried all the demos....
I am stuck between picking two: Modernbill and ClientExec.

Modernbill takes a good while just get get set up because of the huge amount of options you can tweak. ClientExec is a little easier to setup. Both installed with no problems and setting up the mysql databases.

I am not sure if you can install and run the beta for CLlientExec anymore.... the beta trial ended this weekend, but Modernbill has a 30 day demo, and for your needs with only 20 domains, it only cost $15 month to use.

There is also phpManager, but "I" had nothing but problems installing it. I actually got it to work on the last server I tried it on, only to have it shut down after an hour. They claim a seven day demo, but I only got an hour. I wrote to Locutus (from phpManager) asking for an extension, but I have not heard back.

Oh well.... have fun and good luck!

Steve

phpmanager works great, but is too simple and the skin sucks.

phpmanager2 is 1000% improvement and due to come out in beta this month.

We were 1 cm away from signing up and buying modernbill outright, but the skin and features slow it down too much.

As for clientexec, I didnt like the style and features. It for me was a typical example of a big build up for an "average" script.

Perlbill's last solid build was 2.04...and even then there were a few very minor bugs. Still, compared to the latest version, it was nice and stable.

2.1 introduced some invoice generating and updating flaws. Users also started having problems editing created invoices, or editing service plans.

I only evaluated two other packages when I was making my decision, ModernBill and phpManager. I've seen multiple complaints on this forum about phpManager not working periodically - I don't know the exact details of why. ModernBill is more expensive and from a user standpoint it's less graceful / less easy to manipulate. However, I've seen fewer complaints about features in it not working.

Give the developer of Perlbill a holler and ask him if he has the files for build 2.04. Then, if you decide to stick with Perlbill, don't upgrade immediately when the new versions come out. Rather, read the support forums and see if other clients report problems; or clone your database, create a test installation, and give it your own testing before updating your live version.

Irritating as hell, but with Perlbill being the way it has been, that's the best way to insure that you don't entirely lose your investment.

I have been a huge supporter of PerlBill over the last few months. I used PerlDesk for what seems forever, liked John, and loved the feel to PerlBill.

It was simple, which is what we want and need. There were a few cosmetic flaws that needed to be changed (like the order form is crap) but overall we had a good feeling.

That changed this week when we finally decided to dump PerlBill.

Due to a bug when you edit each package # our January invoices were all fudged up. Most didn't generate or generated with the wrong amounts. John was kind enough to look at my copy and fix all the package ID errors.

First of February came around (when most of our invoices are generated) and guess what no invoices. John stated this was related to a bug, and a fix would be out soon.

The fix came out in the second week of February, updated, generated invoices and tada we have invoices! Went to run them with authorize.net and the queue stated 0 invoices to run.

So basically all of our February billing has to be done by hand.

Decided to give PerlBill one last chance for March to see if the majority of our invoices generate... nope not new invoices.

No reply from John in the PerlBill client forums, and only one reply from him on ICQ while I was away from the computer.

===

Summary: Am I recommending PerlBill to companies that need a dependable billing solution at this moment? No

HOWEVER... I do have faith in this software, one day in a few months when the bugs are worked out and it is more thourgly tested, then it will be golden.

Unfortunately, I don't have a few months to waste doing invoicing manually.


I wish I could write a great review of my PerlBill experience, it honestly has alot of potential!

Zach's right. Perlbill does have a lot of potential.

Unfortunately, that's the wrong reason to marry a guy (*), and it's the wrong reason to buy a piece of software.

I have seen Zach's postings in the PB client-only support forums, and sympathised. Heavily. I am very very glad that I didn't install 2.1 when it came out. I would have screamed.

When the developer is able to give a new release a thorough testing - not just a week or so of beta testing, but real honest testing with clones of live installations and everything, a process that could very well last three weeks or longer with no sleep for the developer - the product will be truly stable, have a good feature set, and be a good solution.

I will repeat: if you want to buy Perlbill, or (to the starter of this thread) if you already have it and can't get it to work, ask the developer for the files to 2.04. That release didn't have all the niftoid features that 2.1 claimed to offer; but hey - it worked.

* = [...and yes, I realise that most of you are not only guys but straight, so you would never marry a guy. However, the joke is always that women marry men for their potential. And thus, being a she-geek, I used that analogy.]

As for clientexec, I didnt like the style and features. It for me was a typical example of a big build up for an "average" script.
I don't remember much build-up but I have been throughly happy with ClientExec and like their plans. It just fits my needs very well. If anything, I think there has been a lack of advance info on this app.

Modern Bill needs to learn how to say no to a few feature requests - way too much stuff! PerlBill has never been an option for me because it's, well - perl :stickout:

David

I also didn’t notice the big build up, maybe I missed it :) I just purchased ClientExec and am very happy with it so far; however you have to remember that there are many features planned for the next release. The software has been only been on the market for a short period of time, still needs refining IMO.

However regardless of this it does the job and that’s the main thing. Something which I found to be a bonus is that Alberto (Owner of ClientExec) listens to his customers, there’s been a lot of discussion of what features folk would like to see.

:agree: Overall it’s a great piece of software certainly not ‘average’ and will continue to grow strong :)