How do I create an invoice for a recurring item that is ordered after the main event?

[sohouk]

A client has hosting. They have run out of space and want to purchase more on an annual basis.

 

The rates for additional space are already set up in our 'Configurable Options' and apply to the hosting plans we sell.

 

What I cannot see is how a client can add addtional space to their services some time after (maybe months) they have purchased the hosting.

 

I could create an invoice, but then I can't see how to make that generate automatically every year.

 

Any help how this can be undetaken?

[WHMCS John]

Your client can adjust their configurable options from the product details page.

[sohouk]

I can't see that, assuming you mean in the clients area:

 

Portal Home > Client Area > My Products & Services > Product Details

 

There is an option for Addon's at the bottom of that screen , but no opportunity to purchase one

 

Additonally, on the Admin users screen at the setup Addon Page it specifically says "Addons are primarily designed for one off fee items, whereas for recurring items you would use configurable options.

 

So, as a client how do I actually place an order for the additional, reccuring service?

[WHMCS John]

I'd recommend using configurable options for things like disk space and bandwidth. Once you've created them, navigate to Setup > Products/Services > Edit > Upgrades tab and ensure the Configurable Options checkbox is ticked.

[sohouk]

I was hoping to sell extra disk space / bandwidth etc, and, as you point out, ' configurable options' would appear to be the solution.

 

Setup -> Products/Services -> Edit -> Configurable Options

 

Takes me to a screen where the 'Configurable Option' I created (in this case disk space) is shown. I click that and save the changes.

That, I assume then ties the Disk Space option to the product I have edited (in my case a hosting plan).

 

Having done that, how do I add that to a specific clients hosting plan?

 

In the Admin Interface

If I am in the Admin screen, clicking the Clients 'Product & Services tab' and then the hosting plan does not show any possibility of adding or editing the new option I have set up.

 

The only other tab that would seem relevant is 'Billable Items', but again, that does not show my option

 

In the Client Area

If I go to the Clients area and navigate to the hosting service I want extra disk space for:

 

Portal Home -> Client Area -> My Products & Services -> Product Details

 

again, there is no obvious place to select the Option I set-up for extra disk space.

 

How does a client (or an Admin!) find and add the previously created 'configurable option' to their product?

 

Trevor

[laszlof]

Did you enable the ability to upgrade configurable options on a per product basis?

 

Setup > Products/Services > Edit > Upgrades

Make sure that "Tick this box to allow Upgrading/Downgrading of configurable options" is checked.

[sohouk]

Yes, that is checked.

 

It does seem to me that its very complex to simply add a product (like extra disk space or bandwidth). And there is a remarkable confusion between an 'Addon' and a 'Configurable Option'

 

As yet, no one has actually explained HOW they would implement a configurable option (such as extra disk space) when logged in as a client.

 

As we all know, if its a little difficult, the client won't bother.

[WHMCS John]

As I alluded to in my earlier message, the client just needs to navigate to My Services > More Details (icon) > Upgrade/Downgrade Options.

[sohouk]

Got it now : )

 

I was looking for a link or menu item, but in fact its a button right down the bottom off the screen that I had not seen.

[ricect]

I am having the same problem....been following this thread. However, I don't see the button you are referring to.

[WHMCS John]

That suggests that either the client's product/service is not active. Or you haven't ticked the Upgrade Config. Options checkbox described in post #6.

[sohouk]

I am having the same problem....been following this thread. However, I don't see the button you are referring to.

 

 

 

I have to say the whole process was very complicated and time consuming to set up largely because there is very little in the way of documentation and I spent ages trying one thing then testing it and failing. There does not appear to be a bulleted guide anywhere.

 

This is how I did it, but I will say now its not 100% reliable as even following the steps, some of my accounts do not show the buttons to add the configurable options.

 

 

Say you want to offer your hosting clients the option for more disk space.

This is set-up in 'Setup > Configurable Options' because there you can assign different prices depending on the quantity of the product which is what we want.

 

 

Setup -> Configurable Options

• Assign the option (extra disk space) to all relevant plans or services
  
• Make sure the 'Hidden' checkbox is empty!
  

Having done that and saved, the product appears at the bottom in a list and clicking the edit icon (to the right) pops up a window with a pricing table you can then fill in with your retail values and quantities.

 

The next step is to link that configurable option to the hosting plans or services you offer to clients (yes - I know you thought you did it already!)

 

Navigate to:

• Products/Services -> Edit Product -> Configurable Options and make sure the option you just configured is listed and selected.
  
• Products/Services -> Edit Product -> Upgrades Tab
  

Make sure that:

• Configurable Options is checked
  
• Packages Upgrades has all your hosting plans selected where you want the configurable option to apply.
  

 

 

Note: There is plenty of room for confusion here because the 'Edit Product' dialog also has a pricing tab.

Check it all by going to the client interface.

 

Portal Home -> Client Area -> My Products & Services -> Product Details

 

The options appear as a button at the very bottom if you have a product or service that you applied the option to earlier.

 

I think the button appears depending on if there are available products tied to the specific service however I found it inconsistent - it appears for some accounts, but not others set up apparently identically.

 

 

Even having done all that, as I have mentioned, I have not found it reliable.

 

Trevor

Edited August 6, 2010 by sohouk

[WHMCS John]

This

Setup -> Configurable Options

 

* Assign the option (extra disk space) to all relevant plans or services

 

and this

 

# Products/Services -> Edit Product -> Configurable Options and make sure the option you just configured is listed and selected.

 

Are both the same; changing one will change the other.

 

 

If you're finding that the Upgrade/Downgrade Options button isn't appearing please feel free to open a support ticket with your admin login details and the client in question, we'd be happy to advise why it isn't being displayed.