Blesta - How compatible is it with HostBill

[CRServers]

Somewhere else on this forum, a discussion about Blesta arose.
For $99, it seems like a possibility we could play around with without breaking the Co.
I still want to know how compatible it is with HostBill in regards to MySQL Database structure.
Have the developers of Blesta considered an easy HostBill migration path?
Thanks and regards ,

[nibb]

Why would it compatible. Its a different software, so I assume the structure of tables, data, etc is completely different.

Now since both use MYSQL and store data in there, I don´t see it complicated for Blesta or even users creating a migration script or approach. Im sure a migration script will be made eventually but the software is still in Beta.

I would rather wait to see what features will be build over time. Because like it or not, must users will not be able to move if functionality they use daily is missing. So that will be the dealer break for most folks.

If Blesta cover at least 50% of HB features, then Hostbill will be in troubles already. Even if Blesta does not develop them, I think there will be in trouble because Blesta is attracting developers and high quality users to their product. The software is open module approach. You know the phrase?

If you build it they will come...

Well, I assume allot of modules and plugins will be actually be created by third party companies or even users sharing them. So even if Blesta is not releasing some features out of the box, their architecture seems powerful.

Since its Beta I would not advise anyone to use it on production systems but of course Beta on Blesta means everything or almost everything is already working. Some people would actually consider Hostbill a beta, because some things still don´t work as they should since they where released, and some others break after a new version.

Right now, its the best option im considering, but to be honest. I don´t see moving to it in a long time, even 1 or 2 years, because it will take allot of time until they even get most of HB features, and Hostbill is not going to sleep all that time, they are going to keep adding more features as well.

[Paul]

honestly, blesta looks like a terrible option. everyone is just running that way because they see it, but really, it's trash and has nothing going on.

BoxBilling appears to be much better and has been going for a few years already. used to be open source, still has a free version with some limitations, "pro" is $5.95 a month. www.boxbilling.com

[Patrick]

honestly, blesta looks like a terrible option. everyone is just running that way because they see it, but really, it's trash and has nothing going on.

BoxBilling appears to be much better and has been going for a few years already. used to be open source, still has a free version with some limitations, "pro" is $5.95 a month. www.boxbilling.com

I agree with V2, but V3 is looking promising.  The friendly and easy contact of the owner is a nice feeling.  We do need a lot of modules in the future to support our future plans of which i sent Paul a few but V3 does have promise

[tallship]

honestly, blesta looks like a terrible option. everyone is just running that way because they see it, but really, it's trash and has nothing going on.

BoxBilling appears to be much better and has been going for a few years already. used to be open source, still has a free version with some limitations, "pro" is $5.95 a month. www.boxbilling.com

BoxBilling made a statement on WHT a week or two ago when people asked if the project was dead. They stated a commitment to GPL in future versions, opening up development to the community, with a bit of downtime while they retool before completely converting everything over to the GPL'd project and hosting the entire thing on github.

[tallship]

Here is that pertinent post: http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showpost.php?p=8680329&postcount=84


And... http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showpost.php?p=8680796&postcount=88


FWTW, all we can do at this time is wait and see I guess, but once the entire project is hosted at github, it's always possible to clone and fork with a single click too.

[UCG_Keith]

Hostbill, for what its worth in my opinion is the client side permission setting. We are using that feature a lot. I also like the server management and ipam. I wish we could use the vxloud director.

if there is a competitively priced system that we can cutomize and use api's to it I would definately consider it.

It appears that blesta is focused on shared hosting.

[thetrusteeco]

I'm setting up a test box for Blesta right now and noticed there are import scripts for ClientExec, ModernBill, WHMAP, and WHMCS, so it seems likely once v3 is released a HostBill import script would be a high priority.

[Patrick]

I'm setting up a test box for Blesta right now and noticed there are import scripts for ClientExec, ModernBill, WHMAP, and WHMCS, so it seems likely once v3 is released a HostBill import script would be a high priority.

I was talking with Paul today and giving a strong opinion as to what most everyone is looking for as he asked and i told him many hostbill customers would move over if he had similar options like the SimpleHosting module and few other things.  I really wish you could show me V3, i'm nervous to dump more money even though $99 is adrop in the bucket, it's still hard earned money.

[tallship]

I really wish you could show me V3, i'm nervous to dump more money even though $99 is adrop in the bucket, it's still hard earned money.

Patrick, If you're in no hurry, I'll have some time on late Friday night or Saturday to do a Blesta v3 beta install and let you have at it for a few days before I'll want to wipe and have a looksee myself, since I haven't actually taken  a look at it either yet, and feel back about it because I know Paul is looking forward to the feedback.

I've just been so inundated with work, a couple of bigger clients coming on board, and onsite enterprise buildout that is taking a lot of tiem dotting t's and crossing i's (sic), and then when I really should be doing something productive I look here on these forums, get totally pissed, and start venting lol.

[nibb]

Of course Blesta is not an option now, but what is? What has the same modules and features Hostbill has? Nothing.

The only reason why I have some faith in Blesta, its a US based company, so Paul is serious about and its made for developers in mind. Its an open module approach. He told me almost all code is open, this means that most companies will be write their down modules and plugins if they don´t exist.

He also asked me which modules do I need, so I think they are trying to get Hostbill customers and even while its very simple, they will try to released at least the most widely used modules. I do hope the rest comes from the community.

To be honest, what im afraid is how slow Blesta is in developing.

About Boxbilling, who is behind it? Is it or not open source in terms that you can a fork a project out of it?

[tallship]

The only reason why I have some faith in Blesta, its a US based company, so Paul is serious about and its made for developers in mind. Its an open module approach. He told me almost all code is open, this means that most companies will be write their down modules and plugins if they don´t exist.

He also asked me which modules do I need, so I think they are trying to get Hostbill customers and even while its very simple, they will try to released at least the most widely used modules. I do hope the rest comes from the community.

To be honest, what im afraid is how slow Blesta is in developing.

Well, with companies like Modulesgarden and other long time contributors to WHMCS, once Blesta is finally labelled as v3 stable and released as such, and considering the "modular" design, No one should really have to wait on further development by Phillips Data for added functionality since the third party developers can deploy modules at their own speed.

At least I think that's how things might go. I'm very optimistic about Blesta, but like you, I'm not going to hold my breath that anything is going to happen anytime soon either

About Boxbilling, who is behind it? Is it or not open source in terms that you can a fork a project out of it?

Now there's a 64 million dollar question - is it REALLY Open Source GPL??? Or are they just saying that. I posted a couple of links here to their statements in that regard, but we won't really know until they put everything up at github or a comparable site.

Kindest regards,