Thinking about migration

[alexd]

I was hired as the "IT Guy" in a business directory company. I was looking into developing a new version of their online Business Directory. It is not so much a link directory but yes, links are listed too.

Although there are a few features missing, I found that PHP Link Directory offers most of the solutions I was looking to develop myself(and more).

The present infrastructure is quite primitive and consequently very inefficient.

Here is how they're presently setup:
- We have a sales force of about 5-10 reps selling premium spots in our directory.
- Our directory has over 300 000 quality business listings
- Orders are taken and invoiced via FileMaker.
- Site listings are then manually inserted into an SQL database.

What I want to achieve:
- Avoid having to manually insert premium listings sold by the sales team-Possible solutions:- Have file maker and the website share the same DB
- Drop file maker for a more all-in-one solution
- If a migration of the database is required, I would like it to be as easy as possible.

How can PHP Link Directory help out?

Can our sales team enter orders directly into the directory and can invoicing be automatically integrated too?

Does the system flag premium listings which need to be renewed?

Sure it is nice that people can purchase premium listings off our site but a sales person is way more efficient in generating revenues and orders.

What suggestions can you make? Could PHP Link Directory satisfy our needs? Would there still be a need for FileMaker to manage clients and sales? What modifications would be required? How easy would they be? What services can you offer to help in this transition?

Thanks in advance

[alexd]

I forgot to ask about languages.

Our site is presently available in English and French. I know that PHP Link Directory is available in numerous languages. Does it allow to have a navigation button to switch between languages? ( I just want to know what kind of work is ahead of me if I opt for PHP Link Directory )

[David]

I think everything you outlined is possible with phpLD, but because there several variables involved, it will certainly involve a fair amount of custom work.

I think it would be relatively easy to build a sync tool that allows you to continue using Filemaker, but on a scheduled basis finds changes, and inserts them into the mysql database.

We could also run a scheduled task to find expired listings and send notifications.

The language part will need more investigation to see what you are doing now.

I think we would need to involve our more senior programmers on this task, and we bill at a rate of $35 hour for this work. On the surface, it sounds like we would need at least 20 hours to do a good job, but I think we would need to look at your site and inner working a little more. If you want to delve deeper, send me a PM, and we'll look at it, and see if there is a good plan we can put together for you.

Thanks,
David

[alexd]

Hello,

I finally purchased a license to try out a full version to better consider if it is worth migrating from our actual system.

Reading the terms, I noticed this:
"A license must be purchased for EACH installation of the software. Furthermore, a license must be held for all domains that use the software, including domains that are forwarded or parked. Multiple installations of phpLD on the same domain require multiple licenses."

What if I want to install it on a local computer or on a subdomain for testing and then decide to migrate it to the actual domain. Does this fall within these terms? It would be installed more than once although for the same site.

It is nice to run locally for testing and then to apply updates on the server. I have trouble seeing how this would be considered 2 installations.

What happens when a re-install is required?

Thank you

[James]

local computer as long as inaccessible via the internet is ok.

subdomain is iffy. IF you had it totally closed off and restricted to your ip it may be no problem however if it was publicly accessible at any time then you would be in violation.