Good afternoon.
Maxim, you are a brilliant developer, and at the same time an unpredictable leader. For your business, this may be good, but for me, having a box gives a sense of confidence and stability. I'm really afraid that yesterday it was $25 per user, today it's $5, and tomorrow it will be $40...
I completely agree with you that it is impossible to answer thousands of customer questions on the forum for free. And here you need to divide customers into two groups:
1. Clients who are satisfied with the current functionality do not need anything else and they are happy with everything. Up to 5 questions per month are enough for them to report a bug or order a service.
2. Clients who are in the active phase of implementation or with business development want to develop and improve the CRM system. They are definitely ready to pay for support services, for improvements, they reveal more bugs. You should “carry” such clients, because they are generators, initiators, sponsors, testers for you and contribute to product improvement. For this group, the restriction in questions does not fit in any way. This is where packages come into play. And for some of them, the $5 per user option will do.
My wishes:
I want to classify myself in the second group. I have been with you for a year now. Spent a lot of effort and money and really do not want to be disappointed in my choice.
I have 20 active users (even though the box is 50). I'm willing to pay 20x$5 (maybe more) even now, even staying on my server, provided that it helps to improve the product for all of us. Namely:
I want to participate in focus groups to identify common needs and shortcomings of the system for system improvement.
Be able to report bugs, offer improvements, including additional payments.
Sometimes (in a limited amount) ask questions about the functionality.
Have more prompt support in critical cases.
Regarding the forum, I consider it important to divide questions into the following types:
1. Reporting bugs. such messages should not be limited. Those. if this is really a bug, then the "question" should not be removed from the balance.
2. Application for paid revision. Definitely, for such a post they should not remove the "question" and limit users in their desire to modify at their own expense. I also propose to divide the billing of individual improvements (which are needed only by those who are finalizing). The cost of such improvements should be above average. And the improvements that benefit everyone and improve the functionality (that is, such an improvement is also interesting for you) should be charged at the minimum rate.
3. Questions on the functionality - should be, but limited in number or cost money. Otherwise, one "curious" user can flood the entire forum.
Here are some examples of my posts:
1. Bug, they promise to fix it, so far without an answer.
https://crm-onebox.com/en/support/interface/7981-bag-interfeysa-poiska-produktov...2. Bug of double authorization via mail. Fixed.
https://crm-onebox.com/ru/support/security/7782-problema-s-avtorizatsiey-cherez-...3. Interface bug. Requires correction and then revision. Stopped answering. I don't know how to reach
https://crm-onebox.com/ru/support/orders/7716-bag-interfeysa-protsessa/4. Improving the search for cities and branches from the directory of branches. Paid and done. Very cool result
https://crm-onebox.com/ru/support/logistics-and-delivery-services/7550-vibor-gor...5. A very unpleasant bug (feature) that is ready to be improved, but no solutions are offered. If applicable, I ask for your help
https://crm-onebox.com/ru/support/orders/7601-ne-zapolnyaetsya-istochnik-po-utm-...For all these topics I want to receive gratitude for active participation, and not for removing questions from the balance :)
Box or cloud...
I bought a box with user perspective. And I'd like to keep that "perspective" to myself. I don't think you should "Give" me a new product for free. Ready to consider payment for an update. I am ready to pay a monthly fee for a year, but at the same time remain the owner of my box. I believe that with fruitful cooperation, even for a year, I can bring you more benefits and income than just 20x$5
Regarding the transition to the Box OS. If you consider it a continuation of product development, then, of course, we also need to bet on it, and not be conservative. But I do not believe that you can go to it with one click. And what is needed here is not an agreement with a gamble (buy it now or it will be more expensive later). It takes a lot of effort to introduce a new product. And here you also cannot do without your customers, who will test, sponsor and improve the product for themselves and for you for free. Ready to take part in this. But this must be done in parallel with the current project, which is already fulfilling its functions.
I will be glad to continue close mutually beneficial cooperation. Thank you.