We don't sell domains, and I'm not going to start reselling them any time soon. So as far as that goes, it's not even an option.
I want a three step order-form which follows the basic process laid out below:
---->First
-------->name
-------->email
-------->address
-------->phone
-------->fax
---->Second
-------->pre-registered domain
-------->username/password (live checking for desired username)
-------->hosting options (bandwidth/space/prebuilt package)
-------->commentary
---->Third
-------->payment options (credit card through Authorize, or paypal payments)
-------->Billing duration (monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual)
I also want inline javascript verification of all of this data before it's submitted.
From there, I want secure processing that double checks the data and halts the process before its submitted to the billing and provisioning systems. it should entail the following steps:
---->basic server-side verify for email, phone, address
---->username lookup, password verify
---->bill customer (through Authorize or paypal IPN), and if successful
-------->add to billing system
-------->add to directadmin, provision account per hosting options
-------->email customer billing receipt and account information according to customizable template
-------->email admin copy of account information (much like modernbill does now)
As for the billing system end of things, I want the following specifically:
---->timed recurring payments
---->record of debts and credits, and the ability to debit or credit an account accordingly
---->log of payment date, confirmation, and method for 6 to 12 months
---->email customer monthly invoice (actually looking at something as smooth and customizable as the invoices at blinksale.com as far as these go. we're not opposed to tying the invoicing into the blinksale system for that matter, once their API is released)
---->option to automatically credit/debit customers account according to billing info (which if stored, must be stored extremely securely)
---->alter prices/rates for specific accounts or groups of accounts (specifically, no cost for our comp'ed accounts, of which we have a few already)
---->basic integration with directadmin so customer has single login for billing/control panel (this is of paramount importance to me, and what ultimately hurts me the most about modernbill)
Of course, this doesn't all have to be met at once; a subset of these (specifically related to paypal) is really what we're looking for to start. we'd also like to retain ownership of the codebase as a work for hire, with the developer retaining copyright if need be. we fully plan on crediting the developer for their work.
I know it's all a lot to ask for, but it's also something we're pretty sure a talented programmer or small, agile firm is capable of. I could go into more detail still, but I think that is a pretty good outline of what I'm looking for and why things like Modernbill are overkill and Whois.Cart aren't enough. As much as I hate saying it, what we want is almost Modernbill-like features integrated directly into DirectAdmin. Then again, this may all just be premature wishful thinking if it Modernbill v5 is the dramatic improvement it's made out to be.