reseller-points (and additional information)

[manfred]

hello FQ :welcome:

would it be possible to create/build a "Reseller-Information" page!? Accessible only for resellers!?

For example:
Login: Reseller-ID / or reseller-email-address and password

After successfull login the reseller should see following informations (only examples):

-> present reseller-points
-> present reseller-discount ( % )
-> accounts under the main reseller-account
-> due dates of the accounts

maybe a "order new package/VAS" - function with the reseller-data...?

TIA an greetings from :QTAUT:

manfred

EDIT: % in combination with ) = %)

[Bradley]

I agree that would be a good idea. It would help with "housekeeping" for those resellers.

[Evoir]

Oh yeah... I couldn't agree more. :)

[hobbes]

Hey, as long as you're dreaming big, don't forget the package type, at-a-glance view of disk/bandwidth usage for each, and ability to reset the main account password (or preferably ability to access client's domain CNC).

[Deb]

It's been a side project for a while now.... status is at about 70% completion for phase 1.... We haven't been able to make it a priority project due to everything else on the list but it is something that is making great strides this year as it sits up there in the top 20 on the list ;)

It doesn't work exactly as described in this thread... may not do everything mentioned...but it does do quite a bit more than was brought up so all in all I think it's going ok :)

Deb
- Time to buckle down and help the elves

[manfred]

thank you deb :)

[Evoir]

We also really need a reseller CNC that does not have the link to get FQ support. This is crucial. How do you keep a client from clicking the support link? I usually keep them out of the CNC but that creates a lot of work and extra little scripts and really does not cut it. Clients need to add/remove email addresses and change auto response messages and check disk space and stuff like that. Clients need to contact support when they have a question. (edit to clarify: not FQ support, but appropriate support) How do you explain to them to NOT ever click that link?

For many clients, it's just fine to keep them out of the CNC because they don't ever need to do anything. But for those who have the need to change email addresses and passwords and autoresponse messages and stuff like that... it just makes sense to give them the tools they need.

So, now I have one client who I switched from a reseller acct to a regular account because they could not keep their paws off the support button. Another one is coming down the pike. :(

[Evoir]

Would it be possible to simply remove that link from the CNC since the link is within the main navigation on every page? Or, maybe just if it isa resold account? Is it possble to put an if statement in the code for the CNC?

[Monty]

I have run into the same situation the Evie describes on the support issue. The other things in this thread would be "nice to have" but I keep track of them on a spread sheet or bug Bob when I lose track -vbg-

[Matt]

Any demand for a brandable CNC? We have the code to make this possible, but would need to weigh whether it would be profitable to maintain a brandable FQ hosting panel for resellers. If you're interested, PM me a per-domain price you'd be willing to pay and the number of FQ hosting clients you have. Our solution is database driven, so would require that the client have MySQL on their account (this shouldn't really be an issue now that FQ has MySQL on all but the lowest-end account). -Matt

[farlane]

Maybe a CNC with the power to set a few key variables: support contact, name (w/ powered by FutureQuest prominent).

Originally posted by Evoir:
Would it be possible to simply remove that link from the CNC since the link is within the main navigation on every page? Or, maybe just if it isa resold account? Is it possble to put an if statement in the code for the CNC?

[Monty]

FutureQuest has been very gracious about redirecting support requests to me on my resold accounts when they were contacted directly. Most of my resold accounts don't even know they have a CNC. I just set things up for them and have them contact me if they need anything changed. But, it would be a good thing if the link to support and the link to these forums was able to be switched off or removed on resold accounts. I don't try to hide the fact the FutureQuest hosts my resold accounts, I just add a little value to them with personalized support and I also resell at FutureQuests listed prices in case I ever decide to turn them over to FutureQuest directly. It's a small detail in the overall scheme of things, but certaily one that would be greatness if it were incorporated.

[Evoir]

I don't try and hide FQ, and I also resell at FQ published prices...

I just don't want to confuse my clients by giving them access, and then asking them NOT to use the support link. (many many of my clients do not have access to the CNC. But, some it is neccesary to give them access)

Is there any solution down the path, FQ?

[Deb]

We also really need a reseller CNC that does not have the link to get FQ support.....

Would it be possible to simply remove that link from the CNC since the link is within the main navigation on every page? Or, maybe just if it isa resold account? Is it possble to put an if statement in the code for the CNC? I have run into the same situation the Evie describes on the support issue.....

I just don't want to confuse my clients by giving them access, and then asking them NOT to use the support link. We now have a Control Panel that is a NO-Branded version of the CNC. Note, it's not a CO-Brandable Control Panel...simply NO-Brand Control Panel.

All of the links and references to FutureQuest have been removed from within this version of the CNC. All of the functionality, however, is still there. When we add new things to the CNC (which we will be doing :)) both versions will gain the "new stuff".

If you would like to switch to this version contact us to let us know.

Note: This early in the game the following applies....

The only way to turn it on and off for your accounts is by contacting us.

You do need a Reseller's ID# to make the request.

The request should be made via an email that includes your Account# and your Reseller ID#. The request must be sent from the Primary Email Address on file for your account.

We can not turn the No-Brand CNC on/off on individual packages under your account. e.g. there are currently three options...

1) Branded CNC - Leave everything as it is now by doing nothing.

2) No-Brand Control Panel - Contact us and request the No-Brand be turned on for ALL of the packages under your Account Number.

3) No-Brand Control Panel for all but one - Contact us and request the No-Brand be turned on for ALL of the packages under your Account Number EXCEPT one Package of your choice.

After sending the email, simply allow us up to 24 hours to flip the switch for you.

I am not able to offer a Demo of it at this time, however, I can assure you that it looks just like FutureQuest's CNC with the only difference being that background is a solid black and the links/references to FutureQuest have been removed.

Again, if you'd like to be one of the first to utilize the No-Brand CNC just let us know... it's just ONE of MANY additions/changes/enhancements yet to come :)

Deb
- and you thought we were ignoring you :P

[hobbes]

Thanks for this Deb. I gather forums/support links are still in place, correct?

[Bob]

Originally posted by Deb:
I can assure you that it looks just like FutureQuest's CNC with the only difference being that background is a solid black and the links/references to FutureQuest have been removed. All links/references to FutureQuest have been removed including Support and Forums Links...

I have to say it looks sleek in a way ;)

-Bob

[Deb]

http://www.aota.net/4F/No-Brand.jpg

You'll note that "Package Name", "Account Number", and "Server Name" are missing from the No-Brand CNC's "Server Info" section.

The top menu links do NOT contain links to FutureQuest's pages and though you cannot see it in this screen shot references and links to anything "FutureQuest" have been removed from the helpful hints.

The FutureQuest Logo has been removed. The title "CNC" has been replaced with "Control Panel".

QT went out kick'n but we finally got him to agree to not show his face in the No-Brand Control Panel as well... :QTbars:

Deb
- White-Washed in Black

[Monty]

thanks Deb! I'm in. Christmas in October, yea!

[Evoir]

This is SOOOOOOO cool of you to do this! Thank you!

[Monty]

this works really well, thanks to the team for pulling this off. If any of you resellers are hesistant, don't be. I had my own account set this way just to be able to play with it, and it's working great.

[Joe]

Originally posted by Deb:

You'll note that "Package Name", "Account Number", and "Server Name" are missing from the No-Brand CNC's "Server Info" section.
I wonder if not knowing which server (in particular) a re-sold account is on might pose some difficulties (or extra calls to the service desk) further down the line. It is probably the main reason I won't be switching to the 'No-Brand' CNC for now. Looks good though!

[Monty]

I wonder if not knowing which server (in particular) a re-sold account is on might pose some difficulties (or extra calls to the service desk) further down the line. It is probably the main reason I won't be switching to the 'No-Brand' CNC for now. Looks good though! downtime on FutureQuest is such a non issue, that I will take that risk. Besides, how is a resold account with a non branded control panel going to contact the support desk? Color me happy with this change, because I have had folks hit that former support link and FQ was gracious enough to re direct them to me. Now, I get the chance to return the favor, if needed.

[Deb]

I wonder if not knowing which server (in particular) a re-sold account is on might pose some difficulties (or extra calls to the service desk) further down the line. It is probably the main reason I won't be switching to the 'No-Brand' CNC for now. Looks good though! Logging into the account via telnet or SSH will provide you with the server name. e.g. as soon as you login the prompt will look something like this

[deb@FQ-Lola:~ ]$


The above tells me right away that my username is Deb and the account I logged into is on the server named LOLA

FWIW you can also run the following command:


/bin/hostname -s


If you are running a different command line prompt the above command will return the server name.

Both of these options will work equally as well as logging into the CNC. IF the server is down, however, then at that time the CNC and the Command Line wont be of much help.

Also note, you can SSH into the account via the CNC ;)

I will see what we can do about getting the Server Name added to the Activation Letters as well.

Deb
- There is a will...so there must be a way ;)

[hobbes]

I will see what we can do about getting the Server Name added to the Activation Letters as well. Hey, if it's not too much trouble, could you also see ;) if access to the CNC can be provided via https for those accounts with SSL? This would be very handy for accessing the CNC from the road w/o having to set-up an SSH tunnel. Thx!

[Monty]

using Deb's method to find out my server name, I found that the pop up windows open out of order for me. This could just be some weirdness on my end, but it IE 6, it happens everytime.

First pop up screenshot

http://2coolfishing.com/screenshot1.jpg

then I had to minimize that window to see the log in window

http://2coolfishing.com/screenshot2.jpg

If that's all as clear as mud, I can try to elaborate.

[Evoir]

Is removing the server name from the CNC a neccesity? I don't see how that helps resellers? (edit to say: I do see how it hides every trace of FQ, but, it seems reasonable to leave the server name in there... But I am fine with it either way, especially if the server name is in the activation letter.)

:)

[Deb]

Server Name - Seems that was a bad call on my part. I've requested it be returned based on your feedback.

SSH Popup - Hmmm, I'll clear the cobwebs out of the CNC's Bug tracker and add that in there....

CNC + SSL - Very aware of this request... agreed with desire...no ETA just yet....

Deb
- Reviewing the list...getting ready to check it a second time 8}

[Bob]

Hi Monty,

This has always been an Issue with the CNC SSH application, it used to be isolated to Netscape 4+, however we were able to recreate the same issues with Firefox and IE6.

This Knowledgebase Article describes the issue as we were aware of it involving Netscape 4+ and we will have to revisit that Knowledgebase Article once additional testing is completed...
http://Service.FutureQuest.net/index.php?_a=knowledgebase&_j=questiondetails&_i=189

Basically the log in pop up will pop below your open window if you attempt to mouse over it. Just entering your username and password when it pops up and then hitting Enter will usually allow you to log in. However if you mouse over the pop up then you will have to minimize the window remaining to access it again...

-Bob

- Hope that is a bit clearer than mud... :dunno: -

[Monty]

Bob, it's not a biggy. I use Putty most of the time anyways.

Thanks Deb!

[Bob]

Hi again Monty, and everyone else following this thread ;)

We have taken a look again at the SSH applet in the CNC and as far as we can determine there is no fix to prevent certain browser/operating system combinations from experiencing the mouse-over disappearing box trick...!`

The Knowledgebase Article I mentioned earlier has been updated to include additional browsers that may experience this problem and an additional suggestion was added.
http://Service.FutureQuest.net/index.php?_a=knowledgebase&_j=questiondetails&_i=189

For any Resellers out there that have been reluctant to switch to the No-Brand CNC due to the Server Name Issue. This has been reversed as Deb indicated and the No-Brand CNC now displays the Server Name as of this time...

Thanks,
Bob

- Well I wish I could say, "See Deb I Told you :P~~~~" But No I missed that one too :BPG2: -

[Monty]

I am not quite up to my quota of dumb questions this week, so here goes....How long has bandwidth been in the CNC?

The server name fix is greatly appreciated.

[Bob]

Originally posted by Monty:
I am not quite up to my quota of dumb questions this week, so here goes....How long has bandwidth been in the CNC? Ummm... If I recall correctly this was one of those generally unannounced additions. It had been requested in the past, somewhere around these Forums ;).

One day it just became possible and... :QTwand:

It has been in place since Sep 23, 2004... I am sure Deb intended to make mention of it at some point :noddy:

-Bob

[Randall]

How long has bandwidth been in the CNC? Ooo -- neat. Didn't scroll down far enough. :D

Randall

[hobbes]

FYI - As a client pointed out in a panic this morning (thinking the feature was no longer available), the new Control Panel does away with the QuestMail link. I wouldn't mind this being added back into the CP.

[Monty]

Hobbes, I did an end around on that issue earlier which is at
http://www.weeks-service.com/sca/

Arthur said it wouldn't cause any harm to the system to have my own form accessing it.

[Bob]

There are also those that choose to install their own
SquirrelMail application and brand it with their own
logo and provide that access to their clients...

-Bob

[Evoir]

If we go that route, Bob, does that mean we just have 1 installation of squirrelmail, and all of our reseller domains can access their email from there? Like, if I install squirrelmail on my main domain, I just send all my clients there? Or, is it an installation per domain?

[Bob]

Hello Evie,

That would be up to you... I am not advocating that Resellers Install SquirrelMail themselves, just pointing out that some have and direct their clients to those applications rather than QuestMail...

However if you wanted to install SquirrelMail within an account and provide your Clients access to web based email, in that manner, you would certainly be welcome to. Or installing each clients own access would also be an option, if you wanted to go that far...

One point I should mention, due to FutureQuest's unique Mail set up, you may find that a single install of SquirrelMail will allow access to some domains and not others. There are addons that could be implemented that allow you to specify all mail servers access from a single install if that proved to be a factor...

-Bob

[hobbes]

There is a redirect from our Web site to QM which clients are notified of when they sign up for hosting (www.example.com/mail/). At least this one client however depended on the CNC link to reach QM. We weren't 't aware of it, which is why we went ahead with the CNC->CP change.

SquirrelMail is installed on our account, but that's only for our own staff's access via SSL. I much rather have them use FQ's QM, where the disk space remains consolidated with their account. We could install SM on each client's accounts, but the overhead, including maintenance, is not worthwhile.