We've made an 'in-theory' decision to move all accounting for our web hosting business across to Dreamcost as we currently have an invoicing system that is very laborious.

Is anyone using Dreamcost and if so, what are your thoughts?

We have an MS Access based intranet which we'd like to import and we want to make use of the facility to automate annual renewals and do email based billing. What other key benefits have you found in using the software? What are the negatives?

We'd appreciate knowing as much as possible before we go ahead and purchase the software and start configuring it.

We started out with dreamcost but the level of support was not to our needs, so we switched to modernbill :) I think its a matter of personal preference and how much you are willing to take in the matter of support

we had the same experience with dialuphost, dreamcost support is one of the worst supported scripts on the internet. We dropped them so fast, and went with modernbill as well.

-Steven

But also went with Modernbill. At this time, I just think it does the best job.

I can't see anywhere on Modernbill where you can do annual projects etc. This sort of thing would be really useful to me. Also Dreamcost has integrated from end where customers can buy domain names and hosting etc but Modernbill doesn't seem to have this facility?

Not real sure what you mean. Please clarify.

It certainly has the ability to do annual billing for a service.

As to domain registration, it does not currently have integration. However, it does have the ability to check whois and take an order for registration. The registration would then have to be done manually.

As to a direct integration, I see this as a major tasks as (1) ever expanding group of registrars, (2) constant revisions of API's by registrars.

Yes modernbill does not yet have the ability to register domain names via the signup form, but it will soon be integrated with OpenSRS. To me, MB should be integrated with the big players first, then slowly move to the smaller ones.

As far as the annual projects go, if you mean annual payments, modernbill as Incognito stated has that feature.

-Steven

1. So Modernbill can check domain names. Is that all extensions or just US ones?

2. Can you do manual invoices for things like web design on top of the annual ones?

3. Are the revenue statistics any good?

4. Does it send invoices via email?

5. Can I integrate an existing client base in Access?

6. Can it accept credit card payments without having to then go to a third party - we have merchant status ourselves.

Thanks

Here are your answers:

1. So Modernbill can check domain names. Is that all extensions or just US ones?

Yes, it supports .com, .net, .co.uk, .info and .org

2. Can you do manual invoices for things like web design on top of the annual ones?

Yes

3. Are the revenue statistics any good?

They do the job, but we integrate the info in excel to get a better picture

4. Does it send invoices via email?

Yes

5. Can I integrate an existing client base in Access?

Yes it can be integrated

6. Can it accept credit card payments without having to then go to a third party - we have merchant status ourselves.

Yup, surely

Hope that helps

Depending on your situation, phpManager is also a viable alternative. Inexpensive, very simple, easy to create single and/or additional invoices. And, a new version just released with a few added features.

Stay far away from dreamcost. Run if you have to, but do not give them your money.

Annette - can you explain your reasons for telling me to stay clear of this software please?

Also when I said all domain extensions, I mean biz, info, cc, org.uk, ltd.uk, uk.com, us.com etc - Can it check all those?

Surely. When we were working on helping someone integrate it:

1. It's too expensive for what you get in return.
2. Many of the advertised functions do not work at all.
3. It is impossible to get support from the company to get things working. I mean this literally. There is no response to emails or to forum posts (when those posts are not deleted outright).
4. There is no response to requests for refunds (necessitating chargebacks).

OTOH, I would recommend Modernbill. The latest version is a very nice package and is flexible enough to handle just about anything you would want to do.

Originally posted by Annette
Surely. When we were working on helping someone integrate it:

1. It's too expensive for what you get in return.
2. Many of the advertised functions do not work at all.
3. It is impossible to get support from the company to get things working. I mean this literally. There is no response to emails or to forum posts (when those posts are not deleted outright).
4. There is no response to requests for refunds (necessitating chargebacks).

OTOH, I would recommend Modernbill. The latest version is a very nice package and is flexible enough to handle just about anything you would want to do.

Annette,

Our support has dramatically improved since your purchase, and to prove it to you, I would be glad to offer you a complimentary copy of the current version, v3.1.

If you are not entirely satisfied, then feel free to continue using your current solution. Dreamcost is doing exciting new things with HostAdmin, and the company itself has made some big changes and improvements in the past six months.

Our goal is to continue improving our customer relations, as well as our products.

Please PM me or email me with a reference to this post and your original order details to take me up on this offer.

Also, other readers may be interested to know we do offer a substantial competitive upgrade if you are currently using a competing billing solution

Psst, she said she was helping a customer install it, and uses Modernbill for their own accounts. I doubt they'll be interested.

Actually we looked at DreamCost too and came across the blank wall of silence when it came to inquiries. About all that posting here will do is drudge up a lot of poor past experiences.

Greg Moore

Originally posted by akashik
Actually we looked at DreamCost too and came across the blank wall of silence when it came to inquiries. About all that posting here will do is drudge up a lot of poor past experiences.

Greg Moore

True.

So far, Dreamcost is the only company I've ever had to issue a chargeback against.

I'm generally of the opinion that one should always pause before slating another company, but I'll make an exception here: Dreamcost's response to me seeking support for non-working software, trying to come to some sort of compromise over their buggy scripts and - eventually - requesting a refund was to delete me from their support system and forum.

I went the ModernBill route instead.

Whatever you do... I'd stay away from Dreamcost... not only did I loose my money but also my time... worst experience I've ever had on the internet... I'm going to give ModernBill a try! I only wish I would have seen these posts first. It pays to do your homework.

hi,

does Modernbill build in directory protection?

thanks

David