Determine who should own and manage our AWS account(s)

[gusaus]

Joel has agreed to take over the current AWS account where our Aegir setup currently resides.

@ergonlogic Assuming you won't suddenly have time to manage, could you coordinate with Joel or let us know what you need to make the switch?

In terms of managing and maintaining the platform thereafter, we've asked Jon to be the goto person in terms of supporting on behalf of Aegir coop and/or his business.

In addition to managing our platform, we'd like to solidify a partnership for our service offering.

Could we please sort this out in the doc and/or comment here regarding next steps? It is relatively urgent we sort this out.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aAPVDWMgue_Y_zXZo7j_cRgTscjUChRj968yu1alsGI/edit#

[gusaus]

In addition to support of Aegir, there is additional need to setup and/or maintain the following on AWS:

• Server setup and installation libretime/libretime#5 (comment)
• Set up the AWS account openulmus/openulmus.org#3 (comment)

Would it be possible for these platforms could be supported by Aegir coop members or partners? If so, let's determine the time/cost needed to do so.

[gusaus]

Regarding #2 (comment) with the Drupal Dojo up and running (and under our control), we're definitaly going to be able tor use as a way to get more contributors and resources to help develop and support the Aegir platform.

Furthermore, we could work in Aegir into sysadmin type classes we'll be doing in conjunction with Drupal Open Learning and related training programs openulmus/openulmus.org#3 (comment)

So I think we have a solid foundation for a sustainable SaaS offering which would also support Aegir and related projects.

@ergonlogic @jonpugh @banghouse Is arranging a call the best way to proceed? #2 (comment)

I should be available anytime next week.

[gusaus]

With Aegir now on OpenCollective https://opencollective.com/aegir, we should have a lot more flexibility regarding how to allocate funds. For instance funds for a SaaS offering could come into Open Learning Labs or OpenProducer collectives (yes there will be multiple offerings!). Funds could flow into Aegir collective to cover hosting and maintenance. Whoever is actually doing the work can invoice against Aegir collective (or the service providers collective).

That being the case, possibly the setup can stay on @ergonlogic if @jonpugh and/or other Aegir coop members have access and are able to get paid for their work.

We're open to whatever would be the best option. Thoughts?

[gusaus]

Based on what we've been discussing with regards to Aegir as part of Open Ulmus network (powered by ELMS:LN), it looks like there are a couple options for supporting non-Drupal sites like Grav or Libretime, in addition to our Drupal based OpenProducer platform.

1. Aegir 4.x, which is a port of aegir 3.x to use Provision 4.x CLI. It will support anything that needs PHP and a webserver. @jonpugh is branch owner
2. Aegir 5.x, which is a Drupal 8 re-write of Aegir currently under development. @ergonlogic is branch owner

While we still need to set up a 'site-builder' friendly development environment and workflow https://github.com/OpenProducer/openproducer/issues/1, I'd like to get recommendations from the branch owners on how best to proceed and what/how much $$ is needed to implement.

[gusaus]

@ergonlogic @jonpugh @colans Following up on #2 (comment), does Aegir Coop and/or vendors currently provide services along these lines?

• Service plans - http://aegir.coop/operations/services/support/
• Enterprise - http://aegir.coop/operations/services/support/enterprise/
• Managed Services - http://aegir.coop/operations/services/managed/

If so, let's figure out options for updating and supporting our current setup. #2 (comment)

@djfusco Interested in helping evaluate?

[djfusco]

@gusaus sure, I can help you with this. you have the same link listed for service plan and managed services. re: http://aegir.coop/operations/services/support/ I'd get rid of one of: standard, basic, or premium. That's a lot of choices for people, unless you really need them all. 3 hours is standard for response on enterprise. instead of '1 business day', list 'next business day'; 8x5 needs to state time zone; We can discuss the details of the rest; I'd suggest you go with a pretty straightforward 'hosted' or 'self managed' approach. The more in the middle, the more headaches you'll have. The other enterprise page is similar. Let me know if you want to discuss further.

[gusaus]

Thanks @djfusco - I linked to those services both as a reference point, but also to see if Aegir Coop or members have any interest in providing this and related SaaS offerings. I'm also a wannabe collaborator/lurker in their community.

@ergonlogic, one of the Aegir project and Coop leads, has gone so far as providing an initial OpenProducer service plan which is more aligned with what you're advising. My ideal would be to resolve this issue #2 (comment) regarding owning and managing the AWS account (similar to what we're trying to sort out with ELMS:LN/Open Ulmus openulmus/openulmus.org#21 (comment)) and work out some sort of partnership that will help sustain Aegir project.

Because all of the projects are on OpenCollective, I think anyone interested in playing a role (provider, partner, or even lurker) should join #openlearninglabs in the OpenCollective community Slack https://slack.opencollective.com/ and we'll discuss next steps/refine plans/sort out partnerships there.

[gusaus]

As it looks like @helmo will be able to be the point person for providing Aegir support...essentially doing what I believe @ergonlogic was originally going to do... what would be the best option in terms of owning and managing the AWS account? With Aegir coop an official entity (right?), possibly this white label SaaS could be powered by Aegir coop? Let’s try to solidify the partnership and the offering itself as soon as possible.

[helmo]

Aegir coop is an official entity.... but the slogan 'You host. We support.' says it best.... The AWS account should not be owned by the AegirCoop.

I can support this Aegir installation, based on our standard plan. Do note that this does not include server OS maintenance, monitoring and backups.

I can also offer those, but lets figure that out in an other issue.

[gusaus]

Currently @ergonlogic / Valhalla owns the AWS account. If @helmo is already providing support on behalf of Aegir Coop, do we need to transfer ownership to somebody else? There are a couple options for handling the billing/payment via OpenCollective once we lock this down.

@ergonlogic @helmo - possibly this is something you've already discussed?

[gusaus]

As mentioned to Chris via email, I recently moved from the Aegir/AWS to DevShop on DigitalOcean. The main reason was I needed a better way to manage the platform and site development myself...at least until there's a need (and budget) to bring in support.

At this point, I'm not sure providing a customer facing OpenProducer SaaS offering is something we'd want to do ourselves. Especially if there's potential for partnering up with Aegir coop, DevShop.Support, and other potential service providers.

With Aegir, DevShop, and OpenProducer on Open Collective, there should be all sorts of ways to collaborate, cross-promote, and direct resources back to all projects.

Closing this out and we can hash out next steps in #3 and other related issues.

[colans]

At this point, I'm not sure providing a customer facing OpenProducer SaaS offering is something we'd want to do ourselves

If you change your mind at some point, get in touch with us. We can help you get set up with Aegir Site Subscriptions.

[gusaus]

@colans Thanks for reminding me that you and @ergonlogic are currently working together on https://consensus.enterprises/!

Chris actually created the initial project and plan for an OpenProducer SaaS offering. Unfortunately, we weren't able to line up the resources to move it forward at the time.

For a variety of reasons, we're in a better place to tweak the original plans and create something viable.

With that said, to followup on my other points -

OpenProducer, as an open source service provider:
Considering Chris has already been a catalyst for getting anything off the ground, it would be great to figure out if/how Consensus could be a partner. We could follow-up in #3

OpenProducer, as an open source toolset:
If we consider DevShop, Provision, Aegir Site Subscriptions, Aegir Cloud, all part of the larger Aegir ecosystem... on top of Chris creating the initial OpenProducer project.... We're already collaborating in some form or another on https://github.com/OpenProducer/openproducer/issues/2