https://xkcd.com/927/ On Dec 9, 2015 9:27 AM, "Brett A Mansfield" <li...@silverlakeinternet.com> wrote:
> So, after a lot of review of every billing solution I can find out there, > I've come to the conclusion that there is no good billing system. > Everything out there either requires you use their merchant, has a minimum > monthly cost, or isn't really designed for the ISP. Even the stuff that has > come out most recently isn't a good fit. > > For those of you who are smaller and don't want to pay a monthly minimum, > or want to use your choice of merchant, or don't want to pay a per user > charge, something new will be coming soon! > > I've spoken to a few proven software engineers in the financial side of > things and we are partnering up to develop a new ISP billing software. It > will be turnkey, very easy to use, and can be deployed either by you on > your servers, or can be hosted on ours. It will only handle > billing/invoicing and CRM/ticketing. Best of all, it's practically free! > > More details to come. I'll keep you posted when we have more info. > > Thank you, > Brett A Mansfield > > On Dec 7, 2015, at 5:58 PM, Mike Hammett <af...@ics-il.net> wrote: > > Welcome to 2014? > > > > ----- > Mike Hammett > Intelligent Computing Solutions > http://www.ics-il.com > > <https://www.facebook.com/ICSIL> > <https://plus.google.com/+IntelligentComputingSolutionsDeKalb> > <https://www.linkedin.com/company/intelligent-computing-solutions> > <https://twitter.com/ICSIL> > > Midwest Internet Exchange > http://www.midwest-ix.com > > <https://www.facebook.com/mdwestix> > <https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwest-internet-exchange> > <https://twitter.com/mdwestix> > ------------------------------ > *From: *"Adam Moffett" <dmmoff...@gmail.com> > *To: *af@afmug.com > *Sent: *Monday, December 7, 2015 1:32:33 PM > *Subject: *Re: [AFMUG] Need new billing solution asap!!! > > Ubiquiti has a CRM? > > On 12/7/2015 2:27 PM, Brett A Mansfield wrote: > > It's funny you mentioned waveapps. That is what I started out with. It was > a disaster. And the fact they don't allow multiple email addresses for > recurring invoices was a major deal breaker for me. > > I've since moved to UBNTs airCRM. It is an excellent setup on paper, but > is seriously lacking currently and is very erratic. I need something solid, > secure, and that I don't have to worry about all the time. > > Thank you, > Brett A Mansfield > > On Dec 7, 2015, at 12:08 PM, Joshaven Mailing Lists < > <lis...@joshaven.com>lis...@joshaven.com> wrote: > > Plat has excellent support > > In my opinion, the problems with plat are: > 1) The user interface is a pain in the butt and generally discouraging. > 2) The software depends on a Windows platform and even worse direct > database connections from the client. > > 1) In most places when you want to alter something like customer data you > have to click on the field to edit from a table and then go to the top to > make the change in something that is like an address bar… of course you can > get used to this but Plat is full of non-user friendly quirks like this. > It reminds me of what it feels like to go back and use Windows 95 or > Windows 3.1 when I am used to modern operating systems. The system feels > almost like directly editing a database except that the software does > enforce logical edits so it is not nearly as dangerous as direct database > minupulation. > > 2) If you want to run a good highly available platform then you will be > spending a lot on software licensing with Microsoft. What is the going > rate for a MSSQL cluster now of days? Of course you can throw this on old > rusty crusty in a closet and run the free version of MSSQL but we are > carriers not hacks right? Also you are depending on ODBC database > connections between your clients and the server. Opening direct database > connections to my billing server gives me the creeps even if it is only > open to a network under my administration. I’m a fan of local host db > access only except for database peers. I would really like to see ISP > billing software be web based using standard https protocols and having no > client side dependencies like odbc configurations and client executables. > Try using Plat on a tablet… I don’t want my billing platform holding back > my ability to creatively design my installation process… > > > I feel like I am ragging on Plat… maybe I am a bit but I want to > underscore their support. They are truly exceptional to work with and you > can rely on their platform. Just don’t expect to enjoy using it. If you > like function over form then you may be a perfect match for Plat… I just > wish they would do some magic to address the above two complaints. > > My recommendation to them is to become database & OS agnostic (at least > MySQL or MSSQL and run on Apache) and to make the client interface be 100% > standards compliment browser based. I suspect if they don’t do this they > will find themselves with a EOL product in the next few years. > > Right now there are really good options emerging like WaveApps. Wave > offers free billing including credit card processing at fair rates. They > don’t fit perfectly with an ISP (yet) but they are promising an API which > means that a good solutions provider can crank out an integrations solution > with Wave for front end billing. I am also super excited to see what Sonar > has to offer. I hope their offer is solid and we have a glorious solution… > > > At any rate I am waiting with bated breath to see where this lands over > the next few months. > > Sincerely, > Joshaven Potter > MTCNA, MTCRE, MTCWE, MTCTCE, UACA > Google Hangouts: yourt...@gmail.com > Cell & SMS: 1-517-607-9370 > supp...@joshaven.com > > > > On Dec 7, 2015, at 9:47 AM, Chuck Hogg <ch...@shelbybb.com> wrote: > > I can setup Platypus for billing only in less than an hour, including > setting up plans/rates/services/importing customers. > > Regards, > Chuck > > On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Josh Luthman < > <j...@imaginenetworksllc.com>j...@imaginenetworksllc.com> wrote: > >> That get's to be a little in depth and probably a loaded question...but I >> know when we moved to Powercode the old team that wasn't very good had it >> done in one afternoon. This was from Quickbooks. >> >> >> Josh Luthman >> Office: 937-552-2340 >> Direct: 937-552-2343 >> 1100 Wayne St >> Suite 1337 >> Troy, OH 45373 >> >> On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 3:37 PM, Ken Hohhof < <af...@kwisp.com> >> af...@kwisp.com> wrote: >> >>> Are you including database conversion? Items, customers, current >>> balances, recurring billing, credit cards, etc. >>> >>> Then there’s setting up the online customer payment portal. Especially >>> if customers already had online accounts. And you need to hook it into >>> your merchant account, put your logo on it, test it, etc. >>> >>> >>> *From:* Josh Luthman <j...@imaginenetworksllc.com> >>> *Sent:* Saturday, December 05, 2015 2:24 PM >>> *To:* <af@afmug.com>af@afmug.com >>> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] Need new billing solution asap!!! >>> >>> I'm simply saying 2 days is a long time to setup a billing system. For >>> someone that wants it running "immediately" 2 days is a LONG time. >>> >>> >>> Josh Luthman >>> Office: 937-552-2340 >>> Direct: 937-552-2343 >>> 1100 Wayne St >>> Suite 1337 >>> Troy, OH 45373 >>> >>> On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 3:22 PM, Philip Rankin < <wireless...@gmail.com> >>> wireless...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Hey, I'm not in this for an argument. I am just offering to help a guy >>>> out if I can. I'll bow out of this conversation. >>>> On Dec 5, 2015 1:37 PM, "Josh Luthman" < <j...@imaginenetworksllc.com> >>>> j...@imaginenetworksllc.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Two days??? Powercode takes like an hour. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Josh Luthman >>>>> Office: 937-552-2340 >>>>> Direct: 937-552-2343 >>>>> 1100 Wayne St >>>>> Suite 1337 >>>>> Troy, OH 45373 >>>>> >>>>> On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 2:34 PM, Philip Rankin < >>>>> <wireless...@gmail.com>wireless...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Guys, I am still a major believer in Tucows Platypus. Brett, I could >>>>>> have you up and running with Plat in under 2 days as long as you can >>>>>> answer >>>>>> speed and pricing questions as I ask them. And all I would need is >>>>>> remote >>>>>> access to a Windows 7 computer. Let me know if you are interested. Most >>>>>> of the training can be done remotely in less than a day, too. >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 12:55 AM, Simon Westlake < >>>>>> <simon@sonar.software>simon@sonar.software> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I think it is still pretty early on. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On 12/4/2015 6:22 PM, Chuck Hogg wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> So I guess it does that...lol. I wasn't really expecting it to be >>>>>>> like that. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> It's not very baked ? or am I missing something? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Regards, >>>>>>> Chuck >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Fri, Dec 4, 2015 at 7:07 PM, Chuck Hogg < <ch...@shelbybb.com> >>>>>>> ch...@shelbybb.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I meant for the admin side? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Regards, >>>>>>>> Chuck >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Fri, Dec 4, 2015 at 4:27 PM, Faisal Imtiaz < >>>>>>>> <fai...@snappytelecom.net>fai...@snappytelecom.net> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Just guessing.... >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Drop down on top right, select signup/create account ! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> :) >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Faisal Imtiaz >>>>>>>>> Snappy Internet & Telecom >>>>>>>>> 7266 SW 48 Street >>>>>>>>> Miami, FL 33155 >>>>>>>>> Tel: 305 663 5518 x 232 <305%20663%205518%20x%20232> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Help-desk: (305)663-5518 Option 2 or Email: >>>>>>>>> <supp...@snappytelecom.net>supp...@snappytelecom.net >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> *From: *"Chuck Hogg" < <ch...@shelbybb.com>ch...@shelbybb.com> >>>>>>>>> *To: * <af@afmug.com>af@afmug.com >>>>>>>>> *Sent: *Friday, December 4, 2015 4:25:07 PM >>>>>>>>> *Subject: *Re: [AFMUG] Need new billing solution asap!!! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Anyone know how to login to his demo? >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Regards, >>>>>>>>> Chuck >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Fri, Dec 4, 2015 at 11:28 AM, Simon Westlake < >>>>>>>>> <simon@sonar.software>simon@sonar.software> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> <https://github.com/spencerlambert/wisp-central-control> >>>>>>>>>> https://github.com/spencerlambert/wisp-central-control >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On 12/4/2015 10:08 AM, Jeremy wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Isn't Spencer Lambert's web front-end free? Last time I saw him >>>>>>>>>> at Animal Farm he was touting it and said he would help with setup >>>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>>> customization at a flat rate of $100/hr. He is located in Utah, >>>>>>>>>> also. If >>>>>>>>>> you want something cheap or free that may be an option. It would >>>>>>>>>> probably >>>>>>>>>> be worth contacting him. I recommend Powercode. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Fri, Dec 4, 2015 at 8:58 AM, Craig Schmaderer < >>>>>>>>>> <cr...@skywaveconnect.com>cr...@skywaveconnect.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I've been looking at <https://www.whmcs.com/> >>>>>>>>>>> https://www.whmcs.com/ >>>>>>>>>>> I have a friend that uses it for his ventrillo voice business >>>>>>>>>>> and it does auto billing and ticketing and is cheap. I think you >>>>>>>>>>> can get a >>>>>>>>>>> hosted solution if you don't want to install it. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Craig schmaderer >>>>>>>>>>> Skywave Wireless, Inc. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Fri, Dec 4, 2015 at 7:41 AM -0800, "Brett A Mansfield" < >>>>>>>>>>> <li...@silverlakeinternet.com>li...@silverlakeinternet.com> >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Here is what I've always said about quality, cheap and fast. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> You can only pick two. You will never have all three. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> For this I need fast and quality. Cheap is relative in this >>>>>>>>>>> case. I don't have a lot of customers so the $200/mo min that visp >>>>>>>>>>> requires >>>>>>>>>>> is about $100-150 too much for me. I'm fine with a reasonable one >>>>>>>>>>> time fee, >>>>>>>>>>> but it must be reasonable. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I used to use waveapps to just invoice and then customers could >>>>>>>>>>> pay using the invoice. But if they didn't get the email or lost it, >>>>>>>>>>> they >>>>>>>>>>> couldn't pay their bill. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I appreciate everyone's input on this. I think I'm going with >>>>>>>>>>> platypus and pay someone to set it up. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> I like powercode, I just cannot justify the initial cost for my >>>>>>>>>>> small size operation. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Thank you, >>>>>>>>>>> Brett A Mansfield >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Dec 4, 2015, at 7:47 AM, Chris Fabien < <ch...@lakenetmi.com> >>>>>>>>>>> ch...@lakenetmi.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Good, cheap, and fast? You know what they say about that. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> We are reasonably happy with Powercode. Few gripes but it has >>>>>>>>>>> never double or triple charged our customers. >>>>>>>>>>> On Dec 4, 2015 1:35 AM, "Brett A Mansfield" < >>>>>>>>>>> <li...@silverlakeinternet.com>li...@silverlakeinternet.com> >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I'm looking for a good billing solution that is cheap and I can >>>>>>>>>>>> have up in running immediately. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I've had far too many issues with my current billing system. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I need something turnkey and cheap. My WISP is a fairly small >>>>>>>>>>>> operation. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I am not willing to pay per sub, especially if there is a >>>>>>>>>>>> minimum like visp. I don't want to buy any new hardware. I looked >>>>>>>>>>>> at >>>>>>>>>>>> platypus, but it cannot be deployed easily or quickly. I looked at >>>>>>>>>>>> powercode, but I don't want to buy any new hardware. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Is there anything out there that might fit my needs? Or should >>>>>>>>>>>> I just go back to manual invoicing with quickbooks? >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Thank you, >>>>>>>>>>>> Brett A Mansfield >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> Simon Westlake >>>>>>>>>> Skype: Simon_Sonar >>>>>>>>>> Email: simon@sonar.software >>>>>>>>>> Phone: (702) 447-1247 >>>>>>>>>> --------------------------- >>>>>>>>>> Sonar Software Inc >>>>>>>>>> The next generation of ISP billing and OSShttps://sonar.software >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> Simon Westlake >>>>>>> Skype: Simon_Sonar >>>>>>> Email: simon@sonar.software >>>>>>> Phone: (702) 447-1247 >>>>>>> --------------------------- >>>>>>> Sonar Software Inc >>>>>>> The next generation of ISP billing and OSShttps://sonar.software >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> Philip J. Rankin >>>>>> Wireless Telecommunications Services >>>>>> PO Box 24 >>>>>> Pittsburg, KS 66762 >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >> >> > > > >
