Hi, When i launch my company soon, I want customer support to be our top priority.

What do you use?

Not official on our current website (going through an update period currently with a bunch of changes) we use Auracle.

Http://www.AuracleSupport.com

Beautiful system which uses java for it's chat (instead of php refresh) so there is no delay and no security issues. It is also a helpdesk system.

Personally I have been using and supporting Kayako's LiveResponse for a while. Version 3.0 has come a long ways and offers a mass of features and benefits.

Kayako is efficient, but what about Auracle? Theres not a yearly license fee is there? I saw something about paying a balance of $32 monthly for a few months

You can either pay the one time fee of $125 (includes one year of updates and support) and then $40/year for support and updates there after if you need them. Or you can do 5 payments of $32 (instead of the $125).

They also have a free trial that you can give a go (does not include the chat though).

I use craftysyntax. Updated regularly, easily customizable

Well, you might want to read the requirements first. Auracle requires PHP5. If you have it installed already or are willling to support PHP5 and handle the Opensource scripts not operating then it may be a good option for you. Or if you have your site on a seperate server and PHP5 won't break anything on there.

Ok i will look into it. :)

Originally posted by l.stevens
Well, you might want to read the requirements first. Auracle requires PHP5. If you have it installed already or are willling to support PHP5 and handle the Opensource scripts not operating then it may be a good option for you. Or if you have your site on a seperate server and PHP5 won't break anything on there.

You can also run php4 and php5 side by side (both CLI) ;)

If it will run with PHP5 as CLI only then you would be okay. I didn't see information on CLI only on there site.

I think you are mixing up CGI and CLI (or possibly I am).

The typical way of running php4 and php5 on the same server ends up with one running as CGI (not really the way to go). Auracle requires CLI, but there is a method (was in the technical section not too long ago) explaining how to run php4 and php5 both as CLI by running two instances of apache with mod_proxy I believe.

I wasn't. Most applications that require CLI php also require the same version to be interfaced with the web server for running .php scripting.

As for running them side by side on apache, it can be done. I haven't seen any testing on how stable it is though.

We use http://www.phplivesupport.com/ been using it for years and it works great.

Kayako LiveResonse for quite a while and v3.0 of it is simply amazing

Originally posted by l.stevens
If it will run with PHP5 as CLI only then you would be okay. I didn't see information on CLI only on there site. Ack.

Ack? You can compile and install PHP5 without using an RPM and leaving PHP4 and it's Apache integration intact. If it only uses PHP5 CLI then it isn't an issue. If it requires .php extensions to be run with PHP5 then as justforadollor said you have to run both PHP's in Apache side by side.

Although I know it can be done, I've never seen reports on how stable that is and never have done it nor would myself. So someone else would have to comment on that aspect.

Hi There!
I personaly use WebsiteAlive. Although it is ASP, it works like a dream! It has to be the cheapest in the industry to! There cheapest package is $29.958/mo FOR 2 OPERATORS!! Try and pay $99.00/mo per operator when your using LIVEPERSON. Give WebsiteAlive a try out. The customer support is awsome to!

Regards,
Tim F