Hello,
I am running a server right now and it has ensim installed on it. I am debating on focusing my attention fully on hosting, rather then design. I wanted to know what was the best automated programs for:

*registration
*service setup
*billing

Most of you know what I'm talking about. What programs do you use? What works best?

I've looked at phpmanager and a few other programs, but I cant put my finger on the best way to put all my ideas together. Also, I have a tight budget. Im willing to put in some money, but I'm not loaded. This is for pleasure, a learning experience, and maybe someone a job.

Thanks

Are you looking for a product that is integrated with the Ensim Webpliance?

Yes.
As of now I've been setting up a program that a user can fill out a form with information, CC and so forth, and it is sent to me. So I either need to get a program to charge those CC's. Or, what I would really like is:

A system where a client signs up with a credit card, it is sent and verified, and the hosting is setup automatically. Maybe I just have to verify it, and every thing is ready to go. I would like re-occuring billing, if that is possible. Right now, Im just using QuickBooks.

What method are you using to determine how much of an investment you want to make into your business?

There are various methods to determining this figure. You could look at the amount per customer that you want to put into the system and just put this cost in as a part of doing business. You could look at a price vs. features comparison in which you would determine what features are absolutely necessarry to run your business. Be sure to not ignore probable growth when making your feature list. Another method is to determine what your cost for support will be over time. Some products offer more support than others. Some products put some of their developement cost into the support fees. Also, some products offer a leased version of their product. This is useful to the small business owner who plans on growing into an owned version of the product but doesn't have the capital for it up front.

Hope this helps. As you can see below, I do have a bias but wish you luck with whatever you purchase.

Thank you for the quick replies. I've been searching high and low at different programs and solutions. Mostly people say to head over to your product.

As cost/benefit anaylysis, Im doing this as a learning experience and living off loans. Therefore, Im attempting to get a good knowledge of the programs Im using, learning how to make my operations secure, and will be going public with multiple servers in a few months.

I guess right now Im getting my feet wet.

Don't think I could argue with "most people."

Why don't you try demoing some of the solutions. Then see where you are at.

Im going to start installation, but wanted to double check:

ModernBill + Ensim + Paypal = Auto-Activation of Hosting Accounts?

Paypal or other payment methods posted.

I would like to know Is there an "order script" for web hosting companies that lets customers choose the hosting plan, and than additional services such as (additional bandwidth, web space, domain, avp, etc ) as well, and process this data to the ie: 2checkout.com which withdraws the funds from customers credit card, and after the credit card is being successfully verrified and charged, it automatically sets up the account and ordered services through Ensim that is instaled on my server, and also send an order report to me to keep a track? Btw, would this "automated" way be safe?

Should I rather decide to turn on the service mannually by my self, after receiving the order form?
The "automatic" option would be good since it would be instant (good also just for ordering additional services such as more pop3 accounts and stuff, so that customer gets them in real time, immediately after paying, without having to wait for the "technicians" to set it up), but the second one might perhaps be more safe, or more controlled?

How do you people process your orders? I could use some suggestions!

PS: I hope I didnt write this too confusing, but i cant think of a better way to ask..

PPS: I have now read the last posts, and I would like to know is ModernBill + Ensim + 2checkout = Auto-Activation of Hosting Accounts?
Are there any other scripts (that work with ModernBill + Ensim + 2checkout) that you guys would recommend as better?

And offcourse are there any security issues i should be aware of, regarding auto-activation of this kind, and offcourse ModernBill itself? Thank You.

BTW: is it possible to create my own language pack for the ModernBill?

Quick Update - It took me about 20 minutes to install Zend's and Modern Bill. The program looks really nice. I would recommend just taking a quick peek at it. Also for 15 bucks a month you can lease the program, which is really cheap actually.

rackyou-

I think the answer to all your questions can be summed up by saying what the product can do now. It currently has four points of integration with Ensim. It can create, suspend, unsuspend, and delete accounts. This, of course, is very useful for the delinquintant customer. We hope to add more areas of integration in the future.

Modern bill does handle those gateways mentioned above.

Yes you can add a language module for your laguage if we don't already have one for it.

Try the demos of several products to see if there is a good fit for you. Goodluck.

Great. May I ask how can it suspend, unsuspend or delete an account? I mean, upon what does it "decide" what to do? Ive read the features list on your site, but i must have missed that.
thanks

I'm interested in an answer to that question as well. We're looking for a new billing solution and modernbill looks good.

If you were to have servers with ensim and cpanel will it control all of them without a problem? As far as sign ups and suspending accounts goes?

I have seen AutoEnsim http://autoensim.zoneindex.com/ mentioned here before as a solution for just ensim based servers, no personal experience of it but may be worth a look. But I don't think there are as many solutions around for ensim as say cpanel, but thats maybe because cpanel make auto creation so dammed easy :)

But whichever solution you choose you may want to think about 'auto-creation' presenting problems, ie. fraud orders to send spam etc, if the account is setup without you seeing any details the fraudster is straight into your system.

So, maybe check that the solutions are capable of auto-setup but mark the accounts pending awaiting your approval then at the click of a button setup the account.