Oystein In here please for some clarification
 

I have heard alot of talk about how easy it is to switch over to MPA, I was just wandering because inquiring minds like to know facts and NOT speculations or big talk from people that really don't know so heres my question's

How easy is it to get switched over from NATS to MPA and what is involved here? Do current linking codes still work?

Will it take months, Days, Hours?

Do affiliates need to worry about anything during or after the move?
Will people have to change linkcodes?

How much of a pain in the ass will it be for program owners to deal with during the move?

Again what about affiliates They are indeed the bread and butter the backbone of a program how much of a pain in the ass is it or will it be for the affiliates after a change like this?

I have heard so many horror stories about moves and changes and big talk on the boards about changes of this magnitude that I'm just curious now...

Ok Your turn :)

Tom

i heard wandering is good for your health ;)))

Good business thread Tom

heya Tom, I'm curious, why would you switch to MPA from NATS? or consider it?

For information sake, it would be nice to know how easy a switch would be if it was ever needed.

I'll add a question:

What factors might complicate a software move? (billers/hosting/unsupported ad tools/etc?)

Well MrVids why would anyone consider anything?
I know both system's have their faults
All programs have their faults
all program owners have their faults
But without asking questions no-one ever knows and its always I heard that , or I think its like this or that

So to be more specific to your question

At a recent meeting we were discussing various issues and solutions regarding our sites as well as our affiliate program. This was simply one of the areas discussed by the group and was interested in a clear answer by the system owners...

Tom

3xTom,

Since Oystein is out hacking, or playing golf as he like to call it I will answer you. Hope you dont mind :)

Thanks for making this thread. We get asked this question allot from people that contact us directly, and the truth is that it is really not that hard and complicated. NATS have done their best to make it as hard as possible for their customers to move but we have created import scripts that will handle most of it automatically.

There are of course some work that will have to be done manually of the program owner, but it is not something that even the biggest programs will handle with in a couple of days.

The only things that you need to do manually is:

#1. Set your site in MPA3 ( like the product codes, what type of program and so on )
#2. Some of the hosted tools might need to be changed a little
#3.The processor post back urls will have to be changed according to our requirements.

MPA3 DOES NOT require changes in the tour pages so you will not have to change the tour or members areas!

That's it!

All old webmaster referral links will work, all history stats will be imported and there will be no downtime. Even the old members info we will be able to import.

And of course you can run both programs at the same time for a little while until you are comfortable with switching it all over. Then we will just re import all the history data again so it will be up to date.

So in other words, it is nothing to fair. It is actually pretty easy and we have done it many times before.

I WAS going to stay out of this thread. However I'm really tired of you and Oystein continuing to make things up about us at every turn. We don't do things to make it hard to move. We have helped clients move off of NATS if they are unhappy with it in the past.

Keep continuing to make up lies over and over. You have to sell your software somehow.

I'm done with this thread as I didn't want to post in it in the first place, but I'm sick and tired of things getting back to me that originate at you and your partner, about us, that are entirely untrue.

Carry on with the BS.

What is it with affiliate software vendors and the constant bashing?
Egos?, Insecurity? What? I do not get it. You both have good products and a huge market share.

I totally agree with you datatank. But if you go back in history and see how this whole thing started back when TMM came out with their NATS program I think you will understand how this became almost a personal thing for me.

I am pretty sure that if you have been on this board for some years you know what I mean. :)

MY GOD!!!!!

This thread was NOT put here to create drama...

Thank you Garry although I would like a little more detail of how this all works out for the end user... ?

3xTom, Im really sorry. But somehow I where kind a expecting it to happen :(

How ever, lets hope the thread gets clean from here and out :)

Im not sure how much more details you would like to have here in the thread. We do require that you set up a new server for us to install the MPA3 program. We can have that done with in a day or two. Totally installed and ready to go ( If it was just a new install ) Then we will agree on a date where we will take care of the import and all the other things.

And as I mentioned in my other post, you can run both programs at the same time for a while until you know everything works the way you like it and then do the final move.

Feel very free to ICQ me and I can put you in touch with one of the programmers if you have any spesific programming or server questions.

ouch ..............:Oh crap

It only hurts for a little bit breeder, then it'll start feeling REALLY good, I promise! :winkwink:

I have merged MPA programs into NATS and NATS into MPA, several times now. Moving backends isn't hard, and takes about two weeks depending on the program size, tools to move, paysites to resetup, ect. Both have tools to assist with converting links over, webmaster referrals, stats, ect. Most of the work is done on your part, resetting everything up, most of the backend is repopulated directly from the processors.

Moving any program backend won't ever go 100% smooth. You should never expect it to go smooth either.

Hey TheDoc

Thanks for your experiance

Tom

Good thread 3xTom

Garry, when you say they may need to be changed - would that invalidate the ones that are live now or is it only on the ones built going forward?

In other words, would all affiliates need to change out their FHG links?

Good question Trixxxia but I dont think you will have to change anything but then again thats why I made this thread.... Dont listen to me... Lets here it straight from the horses mouth...

Tom and Trixxxia, sorry for the delayed answer from me - I see Garry already answered some already.

No, affiliates do not have to change anything as we have made it so that all existing linking codes will be 100% tracked after the move over. And to clarify Garrys wording in his first post about "making it hard to move" I will say that that came out a bit wrong - what he meant to say is that since the nats linking codes are (for the most part) encrypted we at Mansion had to un-encrypt them in order for us to ensure that no linking codes would need to be changed on the part of the affiliates of the program doing the move.

Tom, good thread and an important one.

To summarize, it is NOT hard to make such a move from one affiliate program backend to MPA3 (and as Doc said, vice versa) - so if this is what has been holding some program owners off of doing such a move - well, no need to be nervous about it as you will be in good hands and guided throughout the process.

:thumbsup

Thanks Oystein - I appreciate the response.

Any time Trixxxia - and if there are other questions in regards to this Ill be more than happy to answer them.

Ill get back to this thread shortly to let you all know what it takes to move from one CMS to another one like our MAS :thumbsup

Are you thinking of moving Jayman's Cash to MPA Tom?

As stated above... in my second post

We were all talking in the last meeting about different things we can do to help increase our sites and this was a question that came up that needed answering...

Maybe / Maybe not.... They gave some good solid answers that we will discuss at the next meeting...


Tom

Tom,

I am glad to hear that the answers given was solid. Be sure to hit me or Garry up any time if you have more questions.

Same goes for anyone else - we are here to make it as easy as possible for you and your company so do not be shy about asking us.

Ill be back with more later on :thumbsup

Great question Tom!
We migrated from a different platform to MPA3 and there is no question this comes with great concerns and a ton of questions :)

Yes, all went well!

this thread has a bump in it...

its good thread though... strong and taught :thumbsup

Hum
Dont think this one ever got answered


Good question

Ghost,

Sorry for missing this earlier - let me explain each point on how/what needs to be done when switching:

Billers - Add product codes into software, set post-back once switchover takes place and otherwise very easy to do and to add new billers as well.

Hosting - Dedicated server(s) needs to be set up for install and according to our specifications. Nothing complicated here.

Ad tools - Depending on what backend you are using this COULD be a bit challenging and time consuming. For Nats backends (just example) we have pretty good control over that as we have extensive experience with that particular platform. For other platforms it is a discovery process first, then potential custom work to make it fit perfectly.

Etc. - Well, not any major magic, just some patience and good help from all parties involved. We have done it MANY times so our experience comes well into play as a positive...

:thumbsup

That is a very good point.

I can't speak about MPA, however, I've been working closely with Ross of Mansion on a client's project to move a proprietary system into MAS - Not only are they capable and willing to deal with obnoxiously-custom software, he actually listens when you ask him to approach tasks in a different manner. I have no doubt in their ability to import the applicable data; They've dealt with much worse.

Nice input, thank you. :thumbsup

Interesting thread Tom, Good read thanks

interesting read...

MAS/MPA3/VIST support is the best I have had for any software/script!
They have never left me high and dry for any questions and have been there to help me understand/setup anything!

Going with Mansion Productions has been the best move for us!

Ross and his team are extremely diligent in their work on the MAS and the VIST software - I am glad to hear that you are happy with it :thumbsup

Itchy - :thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

Back from eastern holliday here and wanted to say thanks to everyone for all the good questions and also a big thanks for all the good feedback.

Please know that we are always around and feel free to contact anyone of us if you have any questions!

would be highly interresting to hear from you after (if you do) you've made the move 3xTom..

Hey how are you Mike? You going to Px?

Oystein

Nope we cant make it, but I cant wait for the Florida Show and the Boat party ;)

Enjoy the show in PHX!

We are not set up yet, but I have to say the Mansion / MPA3 support has been very dedicated and proffesional so far.

Boat party will be off the rocker Mike! Thanks for mentioning :thumbsup

I am enjoying the show and look forward to seeing you soon buddy.

CarlosTheGaucho - Thanks Carlos, we try our best. :thumbsup:thumbsup

MPA and Mansion = :thumbsup:thumbsup:thumbsup

Mitch

Your the best Mitch ! :)

this is not meant to be a bash in anyway but do you guys really expect them to come in and say " why yes it is pretty hard and a fucking headache to move "
come on ... :1orglaugh

I think we have given some pretty good and honest answers to some business related questions. It might be that there are more people that wonder about this then just 3xtom :)

From some of the things I heard at the show from program owners I think you are right.

hey tom I have something to show you on a different matter, something interesting for you.
ICQ me if you can

Hey Tom :)