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: [email protected]
Cell & SMS: 1-517-607-9370
[email protected]
> On Dec 7, 2015, at 9:47 AM, Chuck Hogg <[email protected]> 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 <[email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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 <tel:937-552-2340>
> Direct: 937-552-2343 <tel:937-552-2343>
> 1100 Wayne St
> Suite 1337
> Troy, OH 45373
>
> On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 3:37 PM, Ken Hohhof <[email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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 <mailto:[email protected]>
> Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2015 2:24 PM
> To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
> 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 <tel:937-552-2340>
> Direct: 937-552-2343 <tel:937-552-2343>
> 1100 Wayne St
> Suite 1337
> Troy, OH 45373
>
> On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 3:22 PM, Philip Rankin <[email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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" <[email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
> Two days??? Powercode takes like an hour.
>
>
> Josh Luthman
> Office: 937-552-2340 <tel:937-552-2340>
> Direct: 937-552-2343 <tel:937-552-2343>
> 1100 Wayne St
> Suite 1337
> Troy, OH 45373
>
> On Sat, Dec 5, 2015 at 2:34 PM, Philip Rankin <[email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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 <[email protected]
> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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 <[email protected]
>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>> I meant for the admin side?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Chuck
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 4, 2015 at 4:27 PM, Faisal Imtiaz <[email protected]
>> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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 <tel:305%20663%205518%20x%20232>
>>
>> Help-desk: (305)663-5518 <tel:%28305%29663-5518> Option 2 or Email:
>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
>>
>> From: "Chuck Hogg" <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
>> To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
>> 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 <[email protected]
>> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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 <[email protected]
>> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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"
>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> 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 <[email protected]
>> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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" <[email protected]
>> <mailto:[email protected]>> 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: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
>> Phone: (702) 447-1247 <tel:%28702%29%20447-1247>
>> ---------------------------
>> Sonar Software Inc
>> The next generation of ISP billing and OSS
>> https://sonar.software <https://sonar.software/>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Simon Westlake
> Skype: Simon_Sonar
> Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
> Phone: (702) 447-1247 <tel:%28702%29%20447-1247>
> ---------------------------
> Sonar Software Inc
> The next generation of ISP billing and OSS
> https://sonar.software <https://sonar.software/>
>
>
> --
> Philip J. Rankin
> Wireless Telecommunications Services
> PO Box 24
> Pittsburg, KS 66762
>
>
>
>
