We're developing a new web service that will be free for low-volume users and subscription-based for higher volume users. Most users will probably invoke it via a plugin for their cms or blog system, and some will use api toolkits for various programming languages. The web service, itself, is straightforward to expose to users, but a full-featured web application needed to configure and manage access to it using a subscription-based business model is more complicated.
We need to build, buy or find a solution that powers a self-service website which lets people:
- sign up for free or paid accounts
- select and configure service options
- enter payment credentials
- edit their account and billing profiles
- review their service usage and billing history
- suspend or cancel their accounts
From an admin perspective, we would also like the system to let us:
- monitor and manage service status
- log user activity and service consumption
- review and manage user accounts
- manage recurring billing, flag problem accounts
- manage message templates for communicating with users
- configure service packages, options and discount codes
- perform other, similar administrative activities
This seems like standard stuff that any web-based, self-service subscription system might need. I'm wondering whether anyone out there knows of a package that provides most or all of these features? We're open to considering various programming languages and platforms, although it will be most convenient to deploy and run this on a linux system.
If there's not a solid, open-source solution out there, then we might be interested in sponsoring the creation of one. I'm looking forward to hearing insights form the community. Thanks!
Rick