I allow money orders as well as CC's on my hosting plans, therfore what software would be good to keep track of who owes for that month. I want to keep track of the customers name, address, plan they are on and how they pay.


Thanks for any help.

Brad Nelson

I have to recommend Ubersmith.com.
Another good one is WHNBilling (http://www-hosting.net). The first has a monthly fee, the second you just buy.

i couldnt find any info on whnbilling.

any others out there?

There's billadmin (although it may still be restricted to Site5 clients). There's also OptiGold. There's a bunch in development (supposedly).

Raj Dutt
Ubersmith.com

Originally posted by brad_nelson1
i couldnt find any info on whnbilling.

any others out there?

I thought BillAdmin new version suppose to be ready soon and will be available for people outside site5 customers.

Got anymore information on the release date Matt ?

Any of this have support for sfcommerce gateway?

ubersmith looks very nice! :agree:
nice work on it ;)

Originally posted by brad_nelson1
i couldnt find any info on whnbilling.

any others out there?

Doh! Hi Brad, thanks for that slight overview. I just added a link on our home page for WHNBilling

You can view more info at http://store.www-hosting.net/Qstore

We do have a new website that will be going up in a few week at http://www.webhostingbilling.com

Hi Superman
Does WHNBilling works with sfcommerce? If not, do you have plans to make it work?

99 bucks, and awsome.

Zach
ICUServices

I will definitely recommend voxel. After going to a complete nightmare with alabanza - which is'nt over yet - we decided to move our servers, but the sticking point was billing...until Raj from Voxel called us with his offer. It has been great. His been working with management here and we have been using ubersmith.

I think we actually are going to be offering ubersmith on our dedicated servers as well. If you are looking for a cost effective billing solution that does everything Alabanza's DSM will do and even more, then definitely contact this guys. You will not regret it.:cool:

http://www.dreamcost.com/?page=shop/sol_software_dreamaccount_pro&ps_session=e74d7f2f12f527cc73a1579c02aa7cf6
Just found it... I don't know if is good or bad :)

What are everyone's thoughts on storing their customers credit card information online? Seems like that is how most of these programs work. I like Ubersmith and I believe they have an option to store this information offline. Just seems like a risk that doesn't need to be taken.

No No ... it's a big NO NO.

I wouldn't even try to do that. That's like a problem waiting to happen... hehe.. :D

We've had a lot of experience with this (dealing with Fortune 1000 companies). Generally speaking, one should be _very_ careful about storing data off site. Talk to your ASP, make sure that they know what they are doing. There are some very interesting things that you can do with regard to security.

And for the record, Ubersmith gives you the option of storing client credit card information offsite (at the host). Some of our larger clients demanded this.

Raj D
Voxel dot Net, Inc.

Originally posted by Strider
What are everyone's thoughts on storing their customers credit card information online? Seems like that is how most of these programs work. I like Ubersmith and I believe they have an option to store this information offline. Just seems like a risk that doesn't need to be taken.

So you think that the average startup host, with one or two people, can do a better job at security than a professional ASP?

I'm asking the question from a purely hypothetical standpoint.

Alabanza did it. They never had any credit card leaks. And their competence level is up in the air.


Originally posted by drhonk
No No ... it's a big NO NO.

I wouldn't even try to do that. That's like a problem waiting to happen... hehe.. :D

Must be kiding me!!! You do not want to know what happened to us after using Alabanza system. I will put it this way. There were serious leaks with DSM and we ended up loosing thousands of dollars after CC's were processed without our authorization!!! I do not know if I am able to discuss the details of this because it is currently in the hands of our company's attorneys. But, seriously, if you think Alabanza system DSM is the all and all .....think a little harder. I once thought so myself until the mysterious charges flared up out of nowhere. Once you get burned then you will rethink your thoughts.

Wow. I had no idea. Doesn't surprise me though.

But I still stand by my statement that if done right, it isn't a problem at all.

Out of curiosity, if Alabanza leaked your cards, why did you lose thousands of dollars?

Are you referring to a security problem with their database, or a bug in their billing software?

[ two completely different things ]

Thanks for the kind words regarding Ubersmith. :-)

Raj Dutt

Originally posted by Jburnley
Must be kiding me!!! You do not want to know what happened to us after using Alabanza system. I will put it this way. There were serious leaks with DSM and we ended up loosing thousands of dollars after CC's were processed without our authorization!!! I do not know if I am able to discuss the details of this because it is currently in the hands of our company's attorneys. But, seriously, if you think Alabanza system DSM is the all and all .....think a little harder. I once thought so myself until the mysterious charges flared up out of nowhere. Once you get burned then you will rethink your thoughts.

Ubersmith gives you the option of storing client credit card information offsite (at the host). Some of our larger clients demanded this.

Raj, is this an 'either - or' type thing. Another words, can some be run on site and some from a database on a host network? If it is run on site, how do you automate it so customers can update credit card info and make payments? For someone with a lot of clients, it is so important for host to get their customers to update things like credit cards number, etc... If it is offline, you must do this manually.

We currently use Optigold. It has worked great offline. But now that we have so many customers we must use the option to have customers update their cards and expirations from the web. That puts it online. Automation vs. Security :(

Raj, is this an 'either - or' type thing. Another words, can some be run on site and some from a database on a host network? If it is run on site, how do you automate it so customers can update credit card info and make payments? For someone with a lot of clients, it is so important for host to get their customers to update things like credit cards number, etc... If it is offline, you must do this manually.




You have three choices.

[1]
Run the software with its internal, hosted, credit
card database. This database is _exceedingly_ secure.
Think of a seperate machine, a private network, and
a system where the credit card number is never passed
back and forth and you start to understand the pains
we have gone through to make the system secure.

[2]
Run the software with an external credit card database.
You are responsible for system security.

[3]
Keep the credit cards completely offline. You can still
use Ubersmith to keep track of things (we used to do it
this way), but you process cards manually.



We currently use Optigold. It has worked great offline. But now that we have so many customers we must use the option to have customers update their cards and expirations from the web. That puts it online. Automation vs. Security :(

It seems it's now more of a question between convenience and security. I sincerely believe it is possible to have both.

Raj Dutt
Ubersmith.com

We are running ubersmith with thousands of clients on it, and it is working great. GO UBERSMITH... GO!!!!!!!!!

As stated in another thread, I have only been using it for a few days, and yes jayglate, I totally agree :)

Its great! :D

Originally posted by Jedito
http://www.dreamcost.com/?page=shop/sol_software_dreamaccount_pro&ps_session=e74d7f2f12f527cc73a1579c02aa7cf6
Just found it... I don't know if is good or bad :)

Jedito,
I could kiss you! So you better shave :)
Just sent an e-mail off to them about the way it works, but it looks to be perfect.

If anyone's got some info on this one I'd be happy to hear it.

Greg Moore

I definetly don't want a system that stores any credit cards in mysql.

With authorize.net all the transactions ever mad are stored. Why not have the software access your authorize.net account and get customer info on credit cards by searching your database by customer ID or something much safer?

Would you care to elaborate on this a little bit further?
I'd appreciate it.

Raj Dutt
ubersmith.com

Originally posted by ckizer
I definetly don't want a system that stores any credit cards in mysql.

With authorize.net all the transactions ever mad are stored. Why not have the software access your authorize.net account and get customer info on credit cards by searching your database by customer ID or something much safer?

Originally posted by brad_nelson1
i couldnt find any info on whnbilling.

WHN (http://www.webhostingbilling.com/)

Raj:

One addition y'all could make to Ubersmith is the ability to send out mass mailings. That will really help out a lot. Also, if you could add another field for the clients secondary email account. All in all it is a great product. Any news yet on your new server admin tool?? I was told you guys may be working on some thing. We just began workingon the backend of ours and we'll likely end up using Ubersmith as the billing module. By the time we are done writing ours you should also have well secured Ubersmith.

I realize that Ubersmith is a really nice product... I took a look at it too and it seemed to be well-done... but the cost is absolutely prohibitive for a small company like mine. Yet I do have enough accounts that I need accurate and reliable user-accessible billing for.

Zach's suggestion of Eastwright http://www.eastwright.com is great!

The Accounts package does the meat & potatoes and more:
~ Flexible billing schemes (monthly, prorated, trials) and flexible payment schemes
~ User access to accounts and account/payment update
~ Automated invoicing and reminders... ahhh, finally, I don't have to send them all myself!
~ MASS MAIL
~ Subscription management
and more!!!

The basic accounts pkg is $99 and includes a year's free upgrades and free support.

You can also purchase an e-commerce package for another $99 which enables you to directly hook in payment gateways: iBill, Authorize.net, Worldpay, eSec. You don't have to have this though, you can use Authorize.net's own system, then manually update your accounts as needed with payments/credits etc. As I already have a nice shopping cart system in the works that I prefer to use, I'll do that, and then manually update payments as they come in.

It's a one-time fee and it doesn't "expire" after a year. You can still use it after the year is up... It works, it looks nice, and the price is right. :)

Definitely worth a look-see.......

:D Bailey

Zach,

I would have to agree with ya on this one. What a deal for the money.

Also, the Dreamcost.com solution was another great deal for the money.

There are too many high priced solutions out there right now. These two are good examples of low cost solutions packed with features.

They both went in my bookmarks ..



Originally posted by Zach
99 bucks, and awsome.

Zach
ICUServices :D

Originally posted by Jburnley
Raj:

One addition y'all could make to Ubersmith is the ability to send out mass mailings.

Excellant! I would have a great use for that because at the moment - im using something I wrote which I dont like and it would be better than storing email addresses twice :)

Any chance of getting that added to the next build?

It's already done! :) You'll notice the feature during the next system upgrade (early next week).

Raj Dutt
Voxel dot Net, Inc.

Originally posted by Nicholas Brown


Excellant! I would have a great use for that because at the moment - im using something I wrote which I dont like and it would be better than storing email addresses twice :)

Any chance of getting that added to the next build?

Originally posted by nopzor
It's already done! :) You'll notice the feature during the next system upgrade (early next week).

Raj Dutt
Voxel dot Net, Inc.

Yipeee! :)
Thanks Raj

On the subject of ubersmith and mass mailings:

I've just finished up the code to do mass mailings. You'll be interested to know that i've added the option to qualify the mass mailing based on balance and number of active packages. For example you can now send an email specifically to all clients in the database that have 10 or more packages and an outstanding balance greater than $1000. Any combination is possible and i plan on adding more qualifiers to this. Also, i've added the options of variables that the script replaces with what's in the database so an email sent to every client in the db can appears to be highly personalized.

Tomorrow i'll be setting up the feature to schedule mass mails. For instance you can set ubersmith up to email the entire client base a personalized holiday greeting on the 20th of december every year and never have to worry about it again.

Now, are there any specific things that anyone thinks should go into this section of scripts that i have not come up with yet?

Mailing lists will make a whole difference. Ubersmith just keeps getting better. Hey Raj, Thierry from our office has been trying to get hold of you. Give him a call when you can tom. or something at 800 282 4912 ext 401. He will be here tommorow, otherwise he'll probarbly give you a ring.

Off topic-

Looks like someone found inspiration from the Jumpline.com web site.

<< Thats very interesting information.... but did you take the time to read the rules? if you did, you must be knowing that you are not allowed to advertise on the main boards?

kunal >>

faxed a contract to them... they say they didn't get it... faxed it again... emailed matt to confirm... no response... that was couple weeks ago... guess i'll never find out how good their software is but i certainly know how their service is...
i guess when you want the free package, even $100 is not enough to get them to *want* to set you up.... crap, i guess i'm alone here:angry:

Does anyone know of a Billing Software which supports the sfCommerce Payment Gateway?

<< MOD EDIT >>

Please do not advertise your products/services in the non advertising forum. If you wish to receive feedback on your services, please use the advertising section.

<< /MOD EDIT >>

no problem...thanks.

G'day modernbill,

One immediate suggestion. Allow for countries other than USA. :-)

I can't get past step 1 in your demo. If I enter a client with a standard Australian Post Code (Zip Code) of 4 digits your validation routine refuses to move on.

I went to WHN and can't even log into their administration area demo using the username/password they supplied on the demo page.

Impressive?

One immediate suggestion. Allow for countries other than USA. :-)


No problem, the checks are now controlled by the config variables!

Thanks,

Originally posted by modernbill


No problem, the checks are now controlled by the config variables!

Thanks,
what is the user name and password for demo account. your web interface sucks.

what is the user name and password for demo account. your web interface sucks.


Could this be due to user error? ;)

http://www.modernbill.com/dev.php

Originally posted by modernbill


Could this be due to user error? ;)

http://www.modernbill.com/dev.php

great package? but 3 points:
1. there is no misleneous debit's for client account.
2. i am php programmer and i will try to integrate it with ordering system. any copyright problems with that ?
3. i use ibill.com and worldpay.com are you planning to build plug in for them.

really great package i will explore it in comming days.

Originally posted by ant
I went to WHN and can't even log into their administration area demo using the username/password they supplied on the demo page.

Impressive?

Thats because people thought it was cool to change the admin password

In any case, we have closed down public sale of WHNBilling until a later date

Does anyone here use or have looked at Freeside?

http://www.sisd.com/freeside/

wow. looks very good. Way beyond my abilities though.

It really isn't that hard to program it yourself. All you need is some database to keep track of your customers. I don't really see how hard this can be. What's more it's more customised and easy to admin since it's done by yourself.

If I have the time, I can probably whip this up in under 8 hours. :stickout

If I have the time, I can probably whip this up in under 8 hours.

thats the problem. i don't have 8 hours. (or a whip for that mater:D )