Update: There have been some changes from the time the Orion idea has originated. I would highly suggest reading the Developer Diary #8! 🙂
I’m happy to announce that ManageWP Orion Closed Beta is in full swing. We’ve received a lot of amazing feedback and solved a lot of bugs and visual inconsistencies, all thanks to our beta testers to whom we’re immensely grateful.
Let’s share a couple of stats for the past three weeks to give you an idea of what we’ve been doing behind the scenes:
- You’ve sent us over 450 messages with bug reports, observations and ideas.
- Our product owners turned these messages into 188 Trello cards.
- Our developers took those 188 Trello cards and completed 124 of them, with another 34 are queued for development. The remaining 30 Trello cards are ideas we’re currently debating.
- Some of the bugs and fixes were so straightforward that we skipped the Trello procedure and fixed them right away. This resulted in a grand total of 476 commits to code.
I’ve also compiled a list of frequently asked questions, I hope you’ll find them useful.
When will ManageWP Orion be released?
There’s no fixed date yet. As I’ve mentioned in one of my earlier posts, ManageWP does not have investors; it’s 100% owned by the team and it only answers to you, our users. There’s no external pressure to meet the deadlines, which allows us to focus on the quality of the product and not rush into anything.
How much will Orion cost?
This is still being debated. If you’re a ManageWP subscriber you know that currently different plans don’t mix on a single account (i.e. you can’t have a mix of Free, Standard, Professional and Business websites), and you have to pay (or link accounts) if you need more than 5 websites for free. While I can’t give you any details right now, the idea is to have all of your websites on a single account, with the ability to pay only for the websites that need the extra features.
How can I get in the Orion Closed Beta?
Just leave a comment below or get in touch with us on Twitter. We are very bad at saying no. 🙂
When will more apps/features be unlocked?
We’re making sure that the dashboard as well as the Client Report are working great before we move on to the next app/feature.
Will the Client Report get more love from the devs?
Absolutely! While we can’t implement right away every great idea you gave us, once ManageWP Orion goes live we will focus on further improving the functionality of the apps/features, as well as developing the security module.
My personal favorite is the ability to create a Client Report in another language – you speak English, but your clients might not; not to mention that providing them with a report in their native language would be a great demonstration of your commitment and professionalism. Right now half of our dev team is putting the final touches on the dashboard and the Client Report, while the other half is working on the new backup system, which is next up for the beta test.
Wait, did you just mention security? And a new backup system? That’s awesome!
I know, right? 🙂 I’m not going to spoil the surprise, I’m going to say that it’s going to be legendary.
Neil Patrick Harris type of legendary.
Stay tuned for the next Developer Diary coming in a few weeks time when we get into all the gory details of our new backup. In the meantime if you have any questions regarding ManageWP Orion, just write them down in the comment section and I’ll be happy to answer them!
UPDATE:
Keep track of all of our Developer Diaries from one place. We will update this list as new ones get released.You can also read the initial announcement by our CEO Vladimir Prelovac
- The Developer Diary #2 covers more dashboard info, improvements and a sneak peek at the new backup system!
- The Developer Diary #3 goes into details of our revolutionary backup system.
- The Developer Diary #4 reviews the work so far on the new Client Report, as well as our future plans for it.
- The Developer Diary #5 covers numerous improvements to the interface, smart search, and features some of our most active testers.
- The Developer Diary #6 announces the release date and the set of features that come with it.
- The Developer Diary #7 focuses on Install Plugins & Themes App, information overview and Pausing a site
- The Developer Diary #8 – The Release date is around the corner, and some interesting information has been announced
- The Developer Diary #9 – Check it out! Orion is live!
staff
I moved a site to the new Orion platform and, while I realized it was in beta testing, I didn’t realize that it doesn’t yet have any functionality. Aside from creating report templates there is nothing I can do and, without functionality, I can’t provide much feedback on bugs. How do I move the site back to the original ManageWP?
marksburgess
As a previous fan of this service, I’m here to say that I am looking for a replacement. The new backup system is worse than terrible. It takes away decisionmaking power from us. The last word that I’ve gotten is that they are sticking with it, hence my search to move on. I lose two services with this failure: the alert system and the backup system because every hour as the backup system busies out the server for the first fifteen minutes, I get notices the web sites are offline…all 40 of them…then I get a notice a bit later they are all ok. A complete abuse of an alert system. So, I’ve had to turn them both off: backup and alert. Normally, my system runs under 50% for CPU load. Their planned spikes in load sent it to loads of 15 and 20. And, they decide what order that backups are done meaning a trivial site might get backed up before a mission critical one. Not good. I write here – and in the support ticket area – in hopes they will come to their senses and figure out a resource leveling method that returns prioritization to us end users. If not, I guess it’s time to take another look at InfiniteWP or similar tools. I was very happy with ManageWP and was looking forward to Orion. Not so anymore.
Nemanja Aleksic
Hi Mark,
I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you’re having. There seems to be some sort of misunderstanding – the new backup system has not yet rolled out. It will be a part of Orion, and not the current ManageWP service.
The new system will actually use just a small fraction of the server resources that are used by the current backup. I can’t go publically into further details, but I’ll get in touch via email to discuss this further.
Nemanja
Michael Davis
Please invite me to the beta testing.
misyte
interested in the beta testing.
dcahill82
Please add me to the Beta. Is this a separate account or do we have to move our existing account over?
Nemanja Aleksic
It’s completely separate, so you don’t have to interrupt the work flow on your ManageWP account
kathy
I would like in on the beta.
accounts
I would love to join the beta!
matt
Count me in to for the BETA test!
jocelyn
Please add me to the Beta list!
cj
So how do I get in on this beta testing? Do we keep our existing ManageWP running at the same time, or migrate over?
Info
I wouldn’t mind checking out this Orion thing and seeing what all the fuss is about ;P. Beta test = YES.
spegla
HI,
I would like to join BETA test.
please count me
TONYX
I would like to join the Orion beta.
Thanks!
allendaw
Yes, I’d loved to join the closed beta. Please let me know how.
trent
I’d love to be in on the beta testing. As a one-man rock show, my job would be next to impossible without Manage WP to keep everything in one place for me.
Chris Edwards
Posted in the other thread, didn’t see this one. Would like to get in on this beta. Currently have 170 WordPress sites on the professional plan, really excited to take a look at orion and start learning it.
Gkarelitz
Hi Guys, I was wondering if I can join the BETA TESTING!!!
ryan
Moving close to 100 sites on MWP, I’m definitely interested in taking a peek at the Orion Beta.
Justin
Please sign me up for beta testing! Can’t wait to see what this looks like!
seo
Interested in beta testing here too! 🙂
contact
Hi ! Please add me to the beta… I would be glad to seriously test it ! Thanks®ards
raphaelfranchi
Here another beta request 🙂
bryanjam
A word of caution: I installed the beta version (was a little surprised that the vast majority of features said ‘coming soon’ so you might find it better to wait until it’s more fully developed). Having installed it, I discovered I couldn’t access the two sites I imported to it from my regular Manage WP. I spent most of the day trying to fix it, including some help messages to support but eventually I had to uninstall it so I could continue access via Manage WP.
I’m sure it will be great when it’s finished but frankly it wasn’t worth the effort it my case. Unless you like playing about with software (which I do) and have time to spare, I’d wait until it’s ready to go.
Thomasfedertest
Hi, I Would like very much to join in the beta.
Thanks.
Witty Work
I’d love to be involved in the Beta testing for Orion! I’ve been a ManageWP customer for years now. Please contact me 🙂
Nemanja Aleksic
Hey Bryan, your invite has been sent a month ago, can you check if you got an email from me? 🙂
pixelmac
Hey, add me for the beta testing please 🙂
Thanks
staff
We have a team of five currently managing 154 sites on ManageWP and we’re adding sites everyday. Let us into Orion Beta!
Thanks.
ff
Hey ManageWP Team,
Orion looks like it would be a blessing to work with.
Are there any spots left in the beta? I’d love to have a peek!
cheers,
Felix
Bailey
Here is the beta invite request, let me in the game coach 🙂
john
i have a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell… well that and an Orion Beta test drive.
Thanks for the support!
bob
and here’s another BETA request 🙂
matt
I’m interested in beta testing please.
chad
Would like to join in the beta. Thanks.
rivalhosting
Count me in for beta testin 🙂
merchantguru
Would love to help test drive the new Orion!
david
I would love to be on the beta test
jtaylor
I would like to take a look at the beta, please and thank you!
ian
BETA ME! please & thank you
emgwebsites
Count me in – always up for cool new ways to save time!
tunatraffic
We’d love to help!!! 🙂
Nemanja Aleksic
Everyone up until now has been added to the beta list. We’re sending invites in batches, so please be patient if you don’t get your invite right away 🙂
dalepillars
+1 for BETA Testing. 🙂
damian-managewp
Please add me to beta list.
Advice Media
We would love to test drive the beta! We have a 250 site account… how many can I load into Orion?
Nemanja Aleksic
For the current ManageWP dashboard we found that the optimal number of websites on a single account is around 750 (although the decisive factor is the quality of the servers hosting these sites). For ManageWP Orion we’ve tested up to 100 websites, with noticeable improvement over the current ManageWP dashboard. I expect it will work fine with much more than 250 websites, but we haven’t decided if there will be a hard limit of websites added to a single Orion account.
brad
+1 for beta
kingsleyfelix9
Hello;
interested for beta testing too, dont want to miss the new goodies
Sherry Bowers
I moved my main website from the current Manage WP platform to the Orion beta testing platform. I want to make sure I still have good backups being performed. Do you have any recommendations for something to use in the interim until the backup functionality is added to the Orion? Or would you recommend I use a different website for testing at this point.
Thanks!
Sherry
PS. LOVE the new client report!
Nemanja Aleksic
Thanks!
I recommend using the current ManageWP platform for the main website until further notice – we’re conducting internal backup test and don’t expect major issues with the new backup, but we can’t make any promises. An irrelevant WordPress installation can be used for Orion testing, just to be safe 🙂
ninoalexsander
Please add me in for beta testing.
Angela Maree Hardy
I’d love to help with the beta test of Orion. Thanks!
accounts
Would love BETA access please. We just knocked our ManageWP subscription down a peg due to an inability to mix pricing levels. This would be huge for us! Thanks!
karel.segers
Can I have a look?
Keen to be in the beta!
Gilberto Koo
Hi!
I can see the light with Orion, thanks (regards from Chile)
christian.schwotzer
I would like to help beta testing
Nemanja Aleksic
Everyone up until now has been added to the beta list; if you haven’t received the invite code, you will soon 🙂
AlexKrleski
Would love a beta test, please guys 🙂
Raj
as a beta test, consider me also please
shanestrong05
I would love to beta test. Thanks
pupungbp
Beta Test please…
dan
Set me up for beta please… forgot to ask last time, so thanks for the second chance!
dev
Do we LOVE ManageWP? Yes! Do we LOVE when ManageWP innovates? Oh yeah. Do we LOVE being a part of ManageWP’s Innovative Orion Beta Program?! Hell yeah!!
If you still have room, we’d like to participate.
Nemanja Aleksic
http://memecrunch.com/meme/32UOI/hell-yeah-brother/image.jpg
Sweatyshop
Hello,
I definitely have a mix of free, standard, and professional sites. I’d love to be part of the beta.
– Jeffery
joel
I’d be interested in checking out the beta as well!
bryanjam
Can I try a beta version please? – Thanks, Bryan (paying subscriber)
Jorge Díaz
I want to be in the beta please 🙂 Looking forward to try it.
Nemanja Aleksic
Can you check your spam filter? I’ve sent you the invite over two weeks ago 🙂
knight
will the trello part open for public view ? 😛
Nemanja Aleksic
Internal Trello boards have too much sensitive information, but we plan on opening a public board at some point, most likely after the beta, to give our users a way to decide in which direction ManageWP will further evolve.
SiteRamp
We’d love to beta Orion on our test sites. Please add us to the list. Thanks!
stevecas
Yes please, love to be a beta tester
5 Fold Marketing
beta please!
Alex
I think Im ready to help with testing.. Count me in please.
As some suggestion recently came in my head(tho its a long stand problem) is ManageWP needs feature of selective parts of DataBase close/export. That’s especially crucial in the case of stage and production sites. When you need deploy only some parts of database but not a content. Is there something like this going to be implemented?
Nemanja Aleksic
Can you elaborate?
We have something like this in mind, but we haven’t actually considered migrating parts of a database – it’s much safer to clone the whole database to avoid breaking something due to dependencies.
missy.cook
+1 for beta testing inv please ; )
luis.mcp.lopes
I would love to be part of the beta test too. Pleaaassssse
Thank you!
admin
I would love to be part of the beta test too. Thank you!
aaronkaltman
I’d like to BETA test
ellegaard
This is fantastic news! The Costumer Report’s language handling and the abillity to differentiate solutions within the same account has been my main concerns.
I use it to support client’s website, so this makes it easier for me to give them the solution that fits their situation.
This change in price will also make ManageWP more competitive compared to InfiniteWP, where the price jump gets noticable as soon aas you handle more sites thatn just a few.
Looking forward to the next update – keep up the good work! 🙂
Nemanja Aleksic
Everyone so far has been added to the beta list, expect your invite in the next few days 🙂
BarryTolson
Good morning
Would be interested in the Beta testing, count me in please. It’s the backup system that most interests me. We backup to S3 Thank you.
tamas.ratkai
Hi guys! Would love to test Orion!
Sandra
Would love to be included for the beta testing – please sign me up if you have available spaces
Thanks:-)
babesking
By the way, it’s so awesome that you can decide for each site if you want to unlock the premium features, because I have more than 10 sites to manage and only half of them are really important. So I can still have all in one place.
babesking
I would really love to help you test the beta version. I promise to give you at least 3 good ideas to improve.
Nemanja Aleksic
Make that 1 great idea and we have a deal! 🙂
ghawkey
We would me keen to jump in the beta test as well. Is it something that is switched – like new vs old? Just wondering, so the system can still function if there’s a bug preventing functionality.
Great job guys 🙂
Nemanja Aleksic
ManageWP Orion is a completely separate server infrastructure with no link to your existing ManageWP account (if any). The only thing they’re sharing is the ManageWP Worker plugin – for security reasons it can only link up with one ManageWP dashboard.
Grab a couple of dev sites, move them to Orion and take it for a spin 🙂
petaqui
Please!! I want to get it, fell the new system and send feedback, would be AWESOME!! 😀
Can’t wait to see it, and please, keep the prices, please 🙁 Some of us do this as a hobby and don’t earn nothing, just invest money because we love sharing.
You are great!!
joaffiliate
Would it be possible for my account to get switched over? as i push the numbers of sites and what i try to do pretty hard, Im used to slowdowns that can even freeze the browser or computer (yes i run lots at once but not slow machines – loaded 16g ram macbook pros)… so the speed increases are a big thing as i avoid trying stuff too often due to slow issues…. Im also someone doing seo right now but with an art and design and UI background and would love to check out and comment on the new aesthetics!
Nemanja Aleksic
I’d advise against making the move before we reach the Open Beta stage, your websites are our number one priority and I’d rather not have you test it with your really important websites 🙂
joaffiliate
really really would love to have my account set to the BETA mode! please 😉
Nemanja Aleksic
You can move your websites manually to Orion for the time being (I’ve sent you the invite a week ago). When we get to the Public Beta stage we will give you a way to switch your ManageWP account to Orion with one click.
luke
I would LOVE to try this!!
jjsararas
предиван! Now I wish I spent more time tinkering with the client report, instead of inundating you with other requests 🙂
Nemanja Aleksic
Хвала! 🙂
You still can, every request is reviewed by our product owners and actionable ideas are placed in the queue.
johnkrol
I would like a first look by being part of the Beta I was Part of the first Beta prior to release and it help me and I think I sent back some observations that may have help MWP
Thanks keep up the great work
john krol
a.schimpf
Please let me test the beta version of orion! 🙂
benson
I’d love to be a part of beta too. (:
rod
Me too!
kwoodall
I would very much appreciate being invited to the beta test. Thank you!
fjh
I would really like to access to the beta test.
steveq
I’d love to test out the Beta as well 🙂
John
I would love to test out the new beta! Thanks
Kelly Day LLC
Consider me really interested in BETA! Great product, can’t wait to see what’s next.
protechig
I’m super excited about Orion. I’d love to test out the beta if you need more users.
kevin
I’d love to help with the beta test of Orion. Thanks!
Lori
I would like to help beta test.
Sidd
Please count me in for BETA test ing.