hello,

what I wanted to know is some popular methods that web hosts use to manage their web hosting client's information, including billing info, when bill is due, add-ons, and other information... Please post innovative managing ideas that you currently use for your web hosting company...

thank you

phpManager or perlbill

modernbill.com

I scribble all the info down on loose leaf paper and shove the whole batch under my bed.

I made an access database which i just keep all the info in ..
3 tables.

client info , hosting packages , domain names , billing

link the client to a domain and the domain to a package
and client to billing.

keep the info upto date and you can use it to search for certain dates, route out domains due to expire etc..

Next im going to port the whole thing to a mysql database and have it remotely stored so the other guys here can have access to it aswell. I will also then build in some auto emailing to the database for account payments etc.. hell i could release the script :)

check out modernbill.com (i wont say a word and i'll let the info, demo and quick email support speak for itself).. a bit tricky to take in all at first, but they do have an excellent new version coming up with CPanel intigration.. shoot, i sound like a spammer (haha). worth a look tho

good old office type programs: star office, open office, lotus products, micro$hit products :bawling: , or just find something nice and free @ hotscripts... u might wanna try that ubersmith thingie......(i store all information on an encrypted volume..)

phpManager (http://www.phpmanager.com/) was built for managing web hosting clients.
Highly recommended. At that price; it's an unbeatable solution.

webhostingbilling.com is a GREAT one.... I use it. Its a bit pricey but well worth its weight in Gold!

Ivan

weight in gold? thats one way to put it ;) not a big fan myself.

-Brendan

I would recommend using phpManager, been using it for the last 9 months without any problems and very pleased with it. Support from the vendor is excellent and real value for money.

Another option is to get someone to build you somethings from scratch.

We looked at all the popular commercial and free scripts but they all offered too much in some aspects and too little in others.

We posted here at WHT and also at elance.com. We ended up with an absolute bargain to be honest, the guy built it and modified it until we were happy and he continues to update/upgrade as and when required, for no extra charge :)

SuperDon, who is this guy? Care to share?

If your just starting out, php manager is the best way (and most economical) to go.

Use the work experience kid, plus plenty of post-it notes :D

I have a custom PHP script. Nothing fancy, but it does the job.

a text file ;)

I've been using PerlBill and been quite happy with it. The CPanel/WHM integration saves a lot of time.

Ubersmith

We just started using modernbill as well. It's been great so far.

Chris

Quickbooks pro, especially if some of your accounts pay by invoice with cash or checks.

We to are using phpmanager - its simple and gets the job done. We record everything in an access database and also print an invoice for every transaction and keep it on file...

Working on a PDF work flow system for making real good looking pdf invoices to be sent out to Au customers for Tax Invoicing.

Glad to be back in the office from my Holiday ***

Regards
Phillip