PHP Support Tickets Web Hosting

PHP Support Tickets Web Hosting

The PHP Support Tickets system is a powerful, all-inclusive email helpdesk/ticketing software that offers user-friendly features and functions and very easy to install. This software is provided by Triangle Solutions Ltd. PHP Support Tickets is written in PHP and utilizes a MySQL database. This application was written following design pattern principles and Object Oriented design. The essential emphasis of the design is the system’s expandability and a hassle free maintenance mode. Most of the visual aspect of the application is controlled by CSS style sheets and the internal functions are seamlessly organized.

The installation does not involve a minimal understanding of web server technologies and the process is fairly straightforward and simple. The script is set up to use a MySQL database by default, but can easily be modified to support all major types of databases, including MS Access, PostGreSQL and Oracle. A minimal knowledge of uploading a database schema into the MySQL installation may also be required and this can be done through the PHPMyAdmin.

After the download process is complete; the user needs to unzip/unrar the latest version and save it into a folder on the web server and then enter the installation folder and install it. A form is then presented to install the software.

The server requirements for PHP Support Tickets version 2.+ is as follows:

• PHP 5.0.1 or higher
• MySQL 4.1 or higher (5.0 recommended)
• mysql or mysqli PHP extension enabled
• Mozilla 1+, Safari 1+, NS 7.0+, IE 5.5+ Some small style glitches may occur on Mac IE.
• It can run on any operating system.

The server requirements for PHP Support Tickets version 1.9 is as follows:

• PHP 4.+
• MySQL 3.x or higher (5.0 recommended)
• Mozilla 1+, Safari 1+, NS 7.0+, IE 5.5+
• It can run on any operating system.

The feature rich application is coherently organized to give the best user experience possible.Below is a brief overview of its key features:
Core Features:

• Easy web based install script.
• 3 Levels of users: Admins, Moderators and Clients
• Moderators can be assigned to a specific department (e.g. Sales)
• All 3 types of users can post tickets to any department
• Admin can post answers to any ticket.
• Moderators can only see their tickets and tickets within their department.
• Clients can post answers to their tickets only.
• All tickets and answers can include 1 file attachment
• Clients can self-register from the login screen (Optional)
• Refresh button never creates duplicates of tickets or answers
• Database abstraction layer used and included with the distribution
• Pagination used on all pages.

Email Features:

• Email notifications can be switched on and off by Admin users
• Email notifications include: new tickets, answers, users and changes in ticket status
• Email notifications of new answers include a thread of all previous answers
• Emails are all plain text
• SMTP, Sendmail and PHP’s Mail functions are completely supported

Admin Features:

• Admins can create new user accounts of all 3 types
• Admins can create, edit and delete departments.

PHP Support Tickets (PHPST) version 2.4 contains loads of new and powerful features; making it more user-friendly, efficient, reliable with new code enhancements. Some of the new power packed features include (Version 2.4):

• Even easier to use: The Admin area has been re-designed to look better and function easier.
• Themed Interface: The ability to modify the CSS and images to create a new look altogether.
• Base code enhancements: All the code has been re-written to now be PHP4 compatible and conform to XHTML strict standards.
• Cross-browser support: With this release we have checked the code in all common browsers.
• Ratings: The user now able to rate a ticket.
• Credit Management and Membership Expiry: The admins can control user credits and membership options to allow paid support.
• HTML Tickets: BBCode substitution allows for HTML tickets to be created to add that personal touch.
• Translations: Now even easier translate into your native language.

Authentic username and password are required to access the administration area. The default entry is administrator / password and this can be changed after logging in. Multiple moderators or admins may be assigned to handle the incoming ticket requests. These are all entered through an intuitive user admin page. While the moderators can only view the tickets that are related to their department only; the admins are allowed to view all tickets and perform all admin tasks. The manageable departments allow the user to edit / delete / add new departments at ease. Through the response section; replies to the tickets can be sent which will be automatically emailed to the user with a full history of the message thread. Admins can see and view Attachments made by the User, and also add attachments to the replies. The type of files allowed; are configured within the config.php file and is unlimited. Newly posted tickets will be emailed to the Admin’s email address and the subsequent user responses along with the message history/message thread will also be emailed to the Admin’s email address.The application is instrumental in handling unlimited users and also allows the user to register themselves or control who is allowed to post into the system. Many other configurable features are contained within the config.php file.

The user interface is extremely user friendly and users can send tickets to specific departments only; that relate to their specific issues or problems. Moreover; they may also add single attachments to any post as well as open, close or answer their tickets.
PHP Support Tickets is currently priced at $9.99 and upon purchase; the user receives free upgrades up until the next major release.