Do u know how much does it cost to develop a hosting control panel
My requirement are running on linux, integrate with mysql, support php, cgi and perl
Also, the control should come with some basic function

Normally, how much does it cost?
Some designer give me an offer is around 5000-7000USD$, is it reasonable?

Would be cheap at twice the price.

Hi,
I believe linux onse as all usualy copied from old perl scripts ect. They are still alot of work though.

Thanks
JBuckle

I would agree that the estimate you received was very reasonable. I have built control panels for a couple ISP's for both windows and Linux and they are no small task. If development time on something like this is not months then it is not being done right or they are using pre-written code. Be very carefull who you have do a project like this, your system's security rests in their hands.

I just afraid i pay $5000 for a rusbbish
U know the new control panel always have many bugs and unstable.
Do u know where i can find a good designer to build a control panel?
THX a lot

I don't think you can get a quality control panel for 5 grand otherwise you wouldn't see so many hosts using cpanel, ensim, etc - they'd just get their own made. I just had a Russian programming company give me a quote on a billing system (which is far less complicated than a control panel equivalent to Ensim, Plesk, Cpanel) and they quoted about $15 grand (charging $10/hr).

I guess it just depends on your requirements. I think it would be possible to develop a very basic control panel for that cost you were quoted.

The only problem is, what happens when a change to it needs to be made? You'll probably have ongoing maintenance costs too, as no piece of software is ever finished or has all the features everyone wants.

Also, the flexibility of a basic Control Panel like that may also be a problem.... ideally you need to make a _detailed_ list of your requirements before you can get a reliable quote.

Caldazar is has the right idea. There will always be ongoing modifications, changes, and additions requried and you will certainly need a DETAILED list explaining EXACTLY what you need to begin with. Not forgetting sanity checks and error messages etc.

As a host with its own custom CP I don't think we'd cope very well if we didn't have people on payroll working with it. This way 'little changes' here and there as well as major additions can be worked on by someone who is with us on a daily basis therefore understanding the needs completely.

Having someone around at all times to address its needs is a major plus when you have custom software (have the same with our billing software).

5K is on the low end, very low end... When we developed our CP, it took us about 1.5 months for the first phase. In terms of hours, I put in about 30 hours, and my colleague (sys admin) put in about 20 hours a week until it was done. It was about ~200 hours. Then there is extra for the designer to build the skin.

Realistically, you should budget out time for coming up with a specs sheet as it's going to be very important before your programmer begins to develop it. Otherwise, there is going to be finger pointing and he said/she said. Even if the features planed in the scope of work is out of your budget, you can take it to another firm to get a quote on it, maybe a little cheaper.

I advise not to begin the work without the list of requirements as detail as possible.

You might want to take it up on elance.com afterwards...

What sort of liscence do you want to have once the control panel is done?

We are considering selling copies of our control panel, and would work with you do build a control panel based on ours to your specifications if you are interested.


I think we could work something out.

You can see our control panel in action at:
http://netherweb.com/control.xml


Thanks again,
Ben Congleton