[notidaho]

I would be very grateful for any advice on setting up an online signup form, where the new members will be added to a database on our clients computer/server.

Here are the key point and where I am so far.

The requirements:

• I manage the website for a company who provide software to the Leisure Industry, installed locally at gyms and leisure centres around the UK.
  
• Currently members have to be entered in to the software manually by a member of staff, but we want to offer online signup to new clients and any of our 150 clients, probably only a handful will go for it.
  
• If needs be members could just submit details and pay on arrival but an online payment option would be beneficial and more professional.
  
• We could hold the form/scripts on their web-servers or link to our site and create a URL for each client. Each has benefits and drawbacks.
  
• Each client will have a list of membership types, prices, lengths and probably each want slightly different mandatory data.
  
• We'd prefer to be less involved with updating prices/types though our clients may not have IT or may not want to pay their IT separately.
  
• Our software is written in Delphi which I cannot yet read or alter. The members are held in advantage database tables (.ADT .ADI .ADM which open with data architect) with about 120 columns (urghhh) including forename, surname, tel, membership type, member ID, medical issues etc.
  
• I have a basic knowledge of batches, csv files, html forms and php but I'd be prepared to pick up more useful techniques.

Here's what I've done:

• I've created a form where a user enters basic personal and membership details from drop-downs. On submit their details are saved to a new line of the CSV file on the server by php. An email is also sent to the web-master.
  
• I've written a batch ftp script which can be run by the client to download the CSV from the web-server. I'm unsure how to add the CSV data to the .ADT by batch command. I may have to alter the software to import multiple members (it can currently import individual members from CSV) or create a separate app.
  
• In this simple case the new members choose to pay on arrival, but I can also include a paypal button or similar payment gateway. I will need this to send confirmation to my site so that the details are not added to the CSV file until they've paid.

Questions:

• Firstly can anyone suggest a better way than this? Can this method even viable/secure for commercial use? Am I way off the mark? If not...
  
• The batch/FTP script will hold server username and password. Is there a better way to secure this than file permissions?
  
• Should we host it on our server or theirs?
  
• How hard would it be to create a basic content management page them to login as admin and alter prices etc?
  
• How can I ensure payment before I write to CSV. Is there a particular payment gateway I need?

Apologies for the length, it's quite a precise requirement. I feel like there's a precise answer I'm overlooking.

If you're still reading any comments greatly appreciated.

Ian

[notidaho]

Is there anyway I can rephrase this to get a reply? Is it too long?

[Blofeld]

notidaho, on 13 May 2011 - 09:44 AM, said:

Questions:

• Firstly can anyone suggest a better way than this? Can this method even viable/secure for commercial use? Am I way off the mark? If not...
  
• The batch/FTP script will hold server username and password. Is there a better way to secure this than file permissions?
  
• Should we host it on our server or theirs?
  
• How hard would it be to create a basic content management page them to login as admin and alter prices etc?
  
• How can I ensure payment before I write to CSV. Is there a particular payment gateway I need?

MySQL
Store the file outside of the public directory
Doesn't matter
How do you not know this if you developed the registration part?
PayPal IPN

[notidaho]

Thanks for the reply Blofeld.

I was reluctant to use MySQL because the software can already import from CSV, so it seemed like an unnecessary step. I'd have to remind myself of the SQL commands, but that's not a good reason.

I also thought CSVs would be easier if it was set up on the client's webserver as we wouldn't have to setup MySQL for them, providing their server can support it. This is steering me further towards hosting it on ours.

I suppose then I could also store the clients prices and variable data. Then I could have a simple login page where they could change these fields. I guess that's simpler than storing it in text files.

The batch file will be on the clients PC, not the web-server. I'm not sure what you mean by outside the public directory?

Paypal IPN seems to be the best payment option to offer seen as users they don't even need to have a paypal account. Again, data could could be kept in MySQL until payment notification is received. Perhaps I could generate the CSV as part of the batch routine before I download or whatever is simpler...

This post has been edited by notidaho: 16 May 2011 - 12:19 PM

[notidaho]

Here's a question. My hosting account (1&1) only has 1-10 databases. If I make a database for each client this number may be exceeded.
Is there any real reason why I couldn't create all tables (e.g. admin, memtypes, transactions) for each client in the same database. So I would have client1_amin, client1_memtypes, client1_transactions, client2_amin etc...
I imagine this isn't advised but I'm not sure why. Am I right in thinking that if I add a new client to the database, whilst the database is readying the other clients transactions may be affected?