Matrix Reseller Plans

[DJJ]

I'm trying to understand how the Billable Accounts Included quota for each of the Matrix Reseller Plans (Cypher, Morpheus, Neo & Zion) work.

I need the following:
A client can host as many domains as s/he wants. That client gets a single control panel so that s/he can set-up things like ODBC/DSNs, emails accounts, directory permissions etc. That client also gets at least one FTP account.

Does this mean that:
A client uses one of the allocated Billable Accounts? Which means that if I choose the Cypher Plan I could only have 15 clients?
To add additional clients would cost $4 each? Is this amount a recurring fee per extra billable account, or a once off fee?

I will have approx. 200 clients by years end. Does this mean I would have to pay $100 for Zion plan which would give me 45 clients, plus $620 for the extra 155 clients - per month? A total cost of $720 per month? Or does it mean $720 for the first month, and $100 for every month afterwards?

I'm really confused about this? Do you provide a unlimited plan?

Also, for each domain added, does each domain get it's own virtual directory in IIS? Is each domain a web site of it's own right?

Please help. I'm really considering changing to Vortech but I need these answers before I decide.

[jmbeach]

each of your clients (who get a single control panel, can have as many domains as they like (or as many as the max that you allow)

Extra accounts (basically separate control panels) over your limit are $4 - this is a one time charge. You don't pay $4 per month/per account over your limit.

Also keep in mind that if you have 200 separate accounts that you have to still stay within your allotted disk and traffic limits. Here you pay for disk space based on what you give out as a max, not on what you actually use. However, traffic you pay for what you use only.

I don't think there is an unlimited plan, but if you do a search on the forum, you should find that there are 2 or 3 other plans that are higher than the zion plan, but not listed on the matrix site. Don't know why, but check for them, they may give you more of what you need.

Each domain is a site as far as I know, but under windows each control panel only gets one FTP (plus access to anonymous ftp) - under unix, however, you can have sub FTP accounts even under one control panel.

confused yet?

[DJJ]

Thanks jmbeach for your reply.
I have tried searching for these 'other' plans, but I can't seem to find them... any hints?

DJJ, I believe they are in a section that you can not see, I will try to find them and post them for you. However, you first have to sign up for one of the other plans, and then you can upgrade to it.

[jmbeach]

Here are a couple of posts about the other plans. I can't confirm if they are current, but you'll get the general idea. Maybe someone at Matrix can confirm.

http://matrixwebhosting.net/forum/sh...=&threadid=531

http://matrixwebhosting.net/forum/sh...=&threadid=502

[DJJ]

I'm a little muddy on the Windows/FreeBSD side of things. Do I get access to both Windows and FreeBSD environments? Or do I choose one or the other when I purchase a plan?

Also, can anyone tell me the following:

- What type/brand of web mail is provided? Is it customizable (can I brand it as my own)? Is there an example of it running anywhere I can have a peek at?

- Can I set the number pop3/smtp accounts? Can I limit/control the number of mailboxes created for each client by setting it in their plan? Do I have to get you guys to turn on email for a domain or is it done automatically when I add a domain?

- What type/brand of chat is provided? Is it customizable (can I brand it as my own)? Is there an example of it running anywhere I can have a peek at?

- What type/brand of forum is provided? ? Is it customizable (can I brand it as my own)? Is it the same as this one? Is there an example of it running anywhere I can have a peek at?

- I recently moved all of my domains to a new hosting reseller provider. They advertise HostingController as their control panel, which from the demo looked fantastic. They demonstrated integrated billing and account management, and integration with several online funds clearance interfaces. It all looked fantastic, their sales team did a good job of selling their reseller plan. I signed up on a month to month, weary because of the host I was moving from. Now I'm with them, I'm sorry I moved. I had it better putting up with the slack service from my previous host. The billing is disabled because they reckon it has bugs, none of which they can tell me about, none of which are posted at the authors site. They have put their own half-assed attempt at a billing system together and are trying to flog that for extra. I'm so pissed! </end rant> I guess this is all leading to the inevitable question - does your billing system work? is it turned on? I have far too much on my plate to worry about whether I have to invoice a client - does you system work?

Sorry about all the questions, I really do have to be cautious about who I choose this time... my clients will not be impressed with more downtime while I transfer as it is. I would really appreciate candid answers to these questions.

Thanks in advance.

[Interwired]

Hi DJJ

Windows/FreeBSD
- You can setup both types of Hosting plans.

Webmail
- The webmail has recently been upgraded to @mail. You can see demo;s here : http://webbasedemail.com/index.ehtml
Its not customizable for branding, but the only branding it features is the @mail logo. A lot of us create our own Custom login screen, which you could ofcourse brand, but that would for the login screen only.

- Yes, you can limit email accounts (under resources section of control panel, when you get it). Every thing is automated.

Billing - yes, the Billing side of the Control panel works. You need to tie it into your own Merchant account (or paypal). Also able to create a range of reports and have clients sign up automatically...etc In theory, once all your plans are setup, clients can sign up for account directly with links from your site, and have fully automated setup....you just watch the money pour in ;-)

I have used about half a dozen reseller hosters and twice as many normal hosting companies, each offered control panels and I can safely say that hsphere is the best. I was amazing at the features offered and flexibilty. Allow about a week of just playing around with anything before you move sites over.

Downtime - as long as you transfer sites, and have them running on the new servers before you transfer the domains, your clients will not suffer downtime in the transfer.

Hope this helps, I would certainly reccomend Vortech/matrixreseller.

[thecomputerpro]

As another reseller here, I will step behind and agree with Interwired here....

[DJJ]

Thanks heaps... I'm feeling a little more confident now ;-)

How about that @Mail - it's fantastic! Wow!

[DJJ]

So can anyone tell me what forum is provided with the Matrix plans, and what chat?

phpBB, but you can put another forum if you wish.

umm, as far as chat, there are a few, I don't like any of them, and would not recommend the chat programs, go to IRC (not on matrix servers!) if you want good chat.

[DJJ]

Also - is it likely that the SMS services will be included in Matrix's @Mail implementation? I for one would welcome this as a Value Added feature - and I know most (75%) of my clients would include it as an extra/add-on with their hosting.

DJJ, at this time I have not heard much talk of it, as it is a bit expensive to run, if there is enough demand Brad and the guys might look into it.

[DJJ]

Have the issues regarding @Mail redirection to custom login pages etc. been resolved? Have the requests for cookie (remeber me functionality) been implemented?