raytaylor
@net.nz | Opinions on Powercode
Hey guys,
Im looking for some opinions or stories on people using powercode. I saw a reference to it in another thread and found it seems to do exactly what I am wanting to handle all the billing and usage in the one system. |
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shorthairedp
join:2005-11-21
united state
| We are fully entrenched with Powercode. Talk to a sales rep, take 20 percent of the promises and throw them out the window.
The theorectical solutions it offers are exactly perfect.
the implementation is lacking. we are coming to find out that it is alot more functional than we thought.
Go to www.imagestream.com. learn their routers (unless you will be using your own linux boxes) I recomend taking the imagestream training, though its expensive.
Powercodes documentation is beyond abysmal, to the point youre pretty much bettor off without it.
Their tech support is eaither superb or deplorable, depending on the issue and the time of day.
I talk to another fella who recently went with them, as part of the package they offered him free training seminar, refuse the purchase without this thrown in.
Alot of guys here have homebrew solutions that doo all of this, but thats a zero support option.
Powercode is for the most part turnkey (it will take alot of prep) and there is alot of support, especially from imagestream, theyre awesome and responsive.
Make Powercodes engineers sit down with you for pre deployment planning, address all issues ahead of time, both near and long term.
If you learn the system, its great as long as you know what youre doing. The billing is pretty stable at this point, it hasnt freaked out in a long time.
Bandwidth management is pretty good, though theres alot of ways a customer can cheat it if they can figure out your network.
realtime throttling leaves a little to be desired, but its functional
the inventory system looks promising, but theres no real documentation
infrastructure management is nice
the snmp trending is finally working, and let me tell you its freaking nice!!! You can configure it fore email alerts based on set values.
if you want a particular customer to have specialized routing rules, you can apply them per device.
it has a nice bandwidth capping function you can use to throttle them down, or shut them off, or bill by the byte for overage. you can set free time ass well for off peak hours.
I recomend discussing the VLAN option over the routed option, the more we are finding out, it may have been less expensive to VLAN and more stable.
Alot of guys are complaining about the increased cost for licensing, but in the long term this increases their revenue, which will increase the support/quality of the product, before, with the single up front cost, it was prohibitive for product growth.
Theres VOIP prioritization built in and email integration
The ticketing system is pretty nice, though very quirky (no direct email integration for customer communication, but I see that on the horizon) tickets are such a saver for maintaining the issue.
On a one to ten scale id give it a six or seven with an upward trend.
Definitely discuss what you want from the system up front. Dont take their word for it that it will do what you want, make them tell you how it will happen, and where possible have them demo it.
Tou can demo the system at demo.powercode.com, its a live billing server (no real equipment, but its good. I highly recomend testing your changes there before implenting on your BMU when possible if you go to the system |
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raytaylor
@net.nz
| reply to raytaylor
The main features I was wanting is something that was an all in one solution for someone that doesnt know much about linux. Was hoping for
- billing
- traffic prioritisation to voip
- large file throttling / throttling to plan
- monthly cap with customer portal to show cap usage
I have been trialing kerio winroute firewall that looks like it will do the job but i have to do the billing seperatly and its throttling isnt very good but it may have to do for now. Especially if it means i dont have to start to learn linux.
What i didnt understand about powercode was the bmu. Is this a device you purchase from them or is it a copy of linux running on a bootable cd or something.
I might just pass on them for now. The website seems too basic and i prefer to read about things rather than have to talk to someone for half an hour about it.
Pricing - I like their per user pricing system. I am happy to pay per user and would probably pay up to $1.50 - $2.00 per customer. |
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shorthairedp
join:2005-11-21
united state
| The BMU is either a Imagestream robust linux based router, or a particular linux distro running on any hardware you want, I recoment the imagestream since you get support on that
The awesome thing though about the linux routing is code is readily available all over the place.
Linux guys are willing to help you while you learn too.
One fella here even basically wrote the source based routing code for me since at the time I had no clue what I was doing, but its pretty easy to pick up on |
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wizunwired
Premium
join:2008-04-08
Algoma, WI
| reply to raytaylor
Guys,
There's some changes coming down the pipe with powercode - don't worry about the imagestream. There documentation is slowly improving and the support isn't the worst. They are adding some pretty slick features for those running canopy/mikrotik/or ubiquiti. I think they are headed in the right direction with the new ownership and we will be seeing some major improvements over the next few months. I agree and have also said to them I would be more than willing to pay more for the monthly support as long as there is support. |
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IntraLink
Premium,MVM
join:2002-08-14
Utah Valley | reply to raytaylor
That's probably one of the most straight forward helpfull descriptions of PowerCode I've seen yet.
Thanks! |
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smeghead
join:2009-02-11
| reply to raytaylor
Yes I have been told they are adding Canopy control and mikrotik functionality into powercode.
The last few months have been the most stable we've had so we have been happy since the new/old owners took back over.
I still wish there were a little more communication or participation in the forums or a developers log. Most things fall on deaf ears from our perspective but they do hear it and just usually don't tell you when it is fixed or if a fix is coming. But is usually does get fixed.
They seem to be a little behind on releasing version 9. But if it takes them another month or so I'll be happy as long as it is stable.
Can't wait to be able to do some things with the control of the hardware. |
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shorthairedp
join:2005-11-21
united state
| reply to raytaylor
All these new version 9 features do concern me, they are finally getting pretty stable, I hope they are more proactive in their release.
One thing I also forgot to mention, is get as may active email addresses and extensions as you can up front from these guys. If one doesnt respond to a support request, work your way down the list. If you leave a call back message, leave your cell number with them, not the shop number, if they call back, they will inevitably do it when you step out to make your huge deposit at the bank from all your WISP profits. |
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keefe007
Premium
join:2004-02-24
Germantown, WI
| reply to smeghead
said by smeghead  :The last few months have been the most stable we've had so we have been happy since the new/old owners took back over. Who are the current owners? |
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penypinch
Premium
join:2007-09-07
Henning, MN
1 edit | reply to raytaylor
Hey,
You guys want to see a system that works and the support is there too??
I was entrenched in Powercode also trapped and loosin sleep to keep the thing up and running... i finally can get sleep at night and even get a fishin trip in without worrying about the network...
The new software is from Azotel and the guys in support treat you like you matter and listen, not tell you "your network sucks" and try to sell you 150.00/hour network design. And better than that the owner will help you through your problems not tell you "that is the way it is supposed to work" and ignore you like your a boil on the arse of society.
Also they do not sell you a one time license then turn your in house server off if you do not pay monthly software support..
Ok sorry enough with the bad mouth I am sorry
The new system work fantastic and I would recommend it to everyone that wants to have time to enjoy life and not fight the network
I will even answer any questions you might like to know just email or IM me
Mitch |
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smeghead
join:2009-02-11
| reply to keefe007
said by keefe007 :said by smeghead :The last few months have been the most stable we've had so we have been happy since the new/old owners took back over. Who are the current owners? Bertram Wireless? |
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penypinch
Premium
join:2007-09-07
Henning, MN | reply to raytaylor
Sorry Guys forgot
The contact for Azotel is
Scott Alerding
Solutions4ebiz
scott.alerding@solutions4ebiz.com
Direct: 317-853-4913
--
Mitch
support@abetterwireless.com
www (at) abetterwireless (dot) com |
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