Modernbill due to be released today anyone got any news as I cannot wait for it.

Yep it's out:
RC 4.1.0 Build 53

We will be sitting on this RC build for at least a day or two while we prepare the release notes and make a few adjustments to the web site. If all goes well over the next 24-48 hours, we will release the official stable version labeled 4.1.1.

Can I download the new one now?

Sorry, I'm new to all this ;)

Originally posted by [inx]Olly
Can I download the new one now?

Sorry, I'm new to all this ;)

Hi,

Login to the members area, the downloads are there.

Anybody here that can confirm that it does indeed give reoccuring billing via paysystems or any other 3rd Merchant System?

If I buy online now, am I buying and downloading the new version?

Yes, if you buy online, as soon as your account is activated.. you will be able to download the new version via-the members area.

Originally posted by GlobalPN
Anybody here that can confirm that it does indeed give reoccuring billing via paysystems or any other 3rd Merchant System?

Not to my knowledge with 2co or PS :(

Quick and VERY important question. Can you bill and invoice for other work - for example website design.

We bill a lot for this, and its very important moderbill lets us do this.

You can have different templates/sign up forums for hosting and for web designing.

Is it me or is modernbill not updating their site for potential customers such as myself ;). I would access the forums but those are on lockdown for current customers as well :laugh:.

I don't think the website is very user friendly. I don't like looking at text- pretty pictures sell for me!

Not the text that's a problem but their latest updated version was on 5.11.2003. Their demos are down and potential customers can't access their forums to find out more about their new product line.

If you're going to go with Modernbill, do yourself a favor and get the leased, NOT the owned version. Here's a couple very good reasons why:

Firstly, write offs: If you're in the US (and many other countries), an expense like this is tax deductible, and at the end of the year you'll want as much of that as possible, when it comes time to visit Uncle Sam.

Secondly, updates: As long as you're a leased member, you can update forever. Keep getting the new versions, they'll keep releasing 'em.

Thirdly, support: As I understand it, leased members get support as long as they're leasing it. Of course, I could be wrong, but that's the way I understand it.

Fourthly, money: You're paying (maybe) $20/month rather than $100+ at one time to own things.

With software such as this, it's always best to buy the leased version.
As far as forums/etc being down, I don't see that. I just logged in and can access the forums and all quite easily. It LOOKS like 4.1.x is still in beta, and they're not releasing any updates just yet (only full versions of 4.1.x). I certainly look forward to the new version though.

I am not a customer yet but am debating on whether to purchase. I'm talking about potential customers not being able to access the forums ;). In the future, would you not be saving yourself money if you just decided to purchase it with a one time fee?
Monthly Fee:
$25/month = $300/year
In 2 years = $600

One Time Fee:
$500
In 2 years: $580 - with updates

In the two years you save yourself $20 and then some afterwards ;).

You scoundrals. You are making my decision-making so much harder :P

1. You still have to pay out more to lease it, and some businesses have a lot of tax deductibles already. Purchasing a license is tax deductable too (in Canada anyway)

2 and 3: You can just pay $29.99 for the newer versions when it comes out and that'll give you 6 months of support as well. It's still less money even if you continually renew your support when it runs out.

4. At $24.95 after one year you've paid enough to buy a 500 client license. I dunno about other web hosts, but I'm in this for the long haul. After 5 years, the money paid in leasing fees would really add up.


The MB Forums are private, for customers only I believe.

You're missing what I'm saying here, obviously, Global:

25x12 = $300, yes. NOW, you can write off $300/year (get it back usually in one form or another) and get updates, support, etc, as long as you lease the license, OR you can write off $500 one time, get updates for a year, etc, and then pay for another update every 6 months ($20-40 depending on the license)

From a tax standpoint, you're going to want any and all writeoffs you can get, so creating as much as you can. At the end of the year, you'll be thankful you actually did get those

At the end of the year, would you rather have $300 written off or their $20-$40 or whatever for updates. I'm sorry, but I'll take a $300 check over a $20-$40 check, even if it means investing in something a bit more. Basically, what you're doing is creating an investment that will pay back to you at the end of the year. Sure, you (may) pay a bit more, but if it comes right back to you, then you're better off.

Sure, I'd like to have as many tax write-offs as possible. But I'd also like to spend my money in the most effective way possible. Leasing Modernbill just doesn't make sense. Why should I pay more money to them just for a continual tax write-off when there are so many more interesting things to buy with my money?

I could buy servers, buy switches, hire support, pay people to do projects, buy more software to help me run my business, etc., etc. This is all tax-deductible. Why should I pay Modernbill more when I can get the same tax writeoff with many other things while continuing to invest in other areas of my business?

Your logic isn't sound in this case.

I dunno how things work in the states, but you don't get back tax deductibles in Canada. You can write it off on the amount of tax owing.

You still have to spend that money out of pocket and you won't get it back. I have no problem finding tax write offs...I dunno what it's like for other businesses here.

I don't see the point either. I pay x amount for a business product / service whatever, I add x to my costs for the year, and my tax is based on that.

Erica, you're just too fast for me it seems :D

A bit OT: It sucks, in Canada the tax write offs for purchased computers are handled like a Vehicle. Not very good, but I can kind of understand the reasoning.

Moved to ‘Hosting Software and Control Panels’ forum :)

On another note though, I am considering a move from PerlBill to ModernBill.

This new version of MB seems to integrate far better with WorldPay’s FuturePay system. However, I don’t think there is any easy way to migrate, we have 500+ users in PerlBill.

Originally posted by Reality Hosting
I dunno how things work in the states, but you don't get back tax deductibles in Canada. You can write it off on the amount of tax owing.

You still have to spend that money out of pocket and you won't get it back. I have no problem finding tax write offs...I dunno what it's like for other businesses here.

Correct. Tax-deductible items here in the U.S. basically lower your income bracket by counting against your income. That's really the main goal of tax deductions -- to lower your stated income so you can get into a lower tax bracket designed for people with less income. This way you have to pay a lower percentage of your income in taxes.

Anything that is used primarily for your business (assuming you own the business) can be written off on your taxes. It doesn't matter if you lease or own a particular piece of software -- the tax deduction percentage is the same.

I am always looking for the most cost-effective way to expand my business, but I also realize that it doesn't make sense to lease a piece of software when, by buying it, I can make back the difference in 6-12 months. That way, next year, instead of paying for the software again, I can invest in other software. Or servers. Or switches. Or whatever I want to use as a business expense -- the point is that the money is available to be spent by the business, instead of continuing to pay for a piece of software that I could have had paid off a year ago.

If you plan on being in business for more than a year, buy the software. If you don't have enough funds to buy it, grab a business credit card... paying the interest over a few months is still going to be better than leasing the software. Do the math yourself and you'll quickly see what I mean.

Originally posted by Rochen
However, I don’t think there is any easy way to migrate, we have 500+ users in PerlBill.

I'd go bug Modernbill sales about that. You'd think someone would have written a converter... or that they would write one for you for an extra $100 or so.

Just a thought.

Bought the 250 license. How long do you usually have to wait for the login details. I cannot wait!

Originally posted by [inx]Olly
Bought the 250 license. How long do you usually have to wait for the login details. I cannot wait!
Patience is virtue ;). You have to wait 24-48 hours usually. Tell me if paysytems auto-reocurring is support in this version :).

Argh, I have no patience!

Does the leased license offers you unlimited account? Or is it limited?

Does MB offers unlimited account license?

The leased option gives you the option for an unlimited account.

Originally posted by [inx]Olly
Bought the 250 license. How long do you usually have to wait for the login details. I cannot wait!

How much did you pay for the 250 license by the way? Seems like they got rid of the leased license for 50 users which is what I was looking to start off with. Did they raise their prices or did they just eliminate a few options?

I looked at Mbill, and they have a great program! BUT, they brand that thing so well its hard to make look like its a part of your site!! they really need to make it more adaptable in terms of inttegration into the hosting companies website.

I've been following MB myself as I was thinking of purchasing it and it appears like they've removed the $15pm leased option for 100 clients and the 100 clients owned license from the site. Most new hosts would probably buy the 100 clients options, so they've really gone and done a stupid thing; especially with the nearly as good clientexec unlimited clients license at only $99!!!

4.1.1. Build 6 is so much different. Grr Im still setting it up and losing money. :-(

I cant get it working.


Warning: Unexpected character in input: '' (ASCII=29) state=1 in /home/omahtld/public_html/modernbill/install_v4/index.php on line 29

Parse error: parse error in /home/omahtld/public_html/modernbill/install_v4/index.php on line 29

Is the error I get every time, and thats just trying to install.

post in the support forums, they will help you.