🛠️ a) Perfex CRM SaaS module Installation
Welcome to our installation guide for the SaaS Module for Perfex CRM!
In this video, we’ll walk you through the seamless installation process step-by-step. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or new to the world of CRM modules, we’ve got you covered. Follow along as we demonstrate how to set up and configure the SaaS Module, ensuring a smooth integration with your Perfex CRM installation.
After installation, you must choose the appropriate SaaS mode depending on your server environment:
- If you are using VPS or dedicated hosting with full control, you can use Subdomain Mode.
- If you are using shared hosting, you can enable Shared Hosting Mode. This mode uses subfolder based tenants and a shared database with table prefixes, without needing root MySQL access, wildcard DNS, or subdomains.
Shared Hosting Mode vs Subdomain Mode
Shared Hosting Mode
Tenants run under a subfolder, for example
https://yourcrm.com/ws/tenant123
Ideal when
- subdomains cannot be created automatically
- you do not have root MySQL access
- you do not have WHM or panel level control
- the hosting provider restricts DNS changes
How it works
- All tenants share a single database
- Each tenant uses unique table prefixes
Pros
- No MySQL root user required
- No extra databases created
- Easiest setup, minimal configuration
- Works on almost any shared hosting environment
Cons
- Tenants do not get separate subdomains
- SEO benefits tied to subdomains are not available
- Very large installations may prefer isolated databases for performance
Subdomain Mode
Tenants run under dynamic subdomains, for example
https://tenant123.yourcrm.com
Ideal when
- you have full server control (VPS or dedicated)
- you can create wildcard DNS records
- you can create wildcard SSL certificates
- you want isolated tenant databases
How it works
- Each tenant gets its own MySQL database
- Requires root MySQL user to create databases on the fly
Pros
- Best isolation per tenant
- Independent databases improve scalability and performance on busy systems
- Clean subdomain based URLs
- Better structure for SaaS style deployments
Cons
- Requires full server access
- Requires wildcard DNS and wildcard SSL setup
- Requires Apache or Nginx configuration
- Not available on most shared hosting environments
How to configure SaaS module under Shared Hosting
- Go to “SaaS Settings” inside Perfex CRM.
- Under “Database for Each Tenant” select No.
- Enable Use Subdir Structure.
- Enter your MySQL credentials for the shared database.
- Click “Verify Server Settings”.
- Save.
That is all. Tenants will be created inside the same database using automatically generated table prefixes. You can now head to the configuration section SaaS plans and Plan Management.
How to configure SaaS module under Dedicated Resources (VPS, Dedicated Server etc)
Before you proceed, keep in mind that running the SaaS module in VPS mode requires a few additional steps, depending on the services that run on your server like Apache, Nginx or any custom setup. You will also need to follow the correct guide for wildcard DNS records and wildcard SSL configuration, according to your server’s configuration.
Once you complete these environment specific steps, you can head to the SaaS plans and Plan Management section and configure your plans normally.
The video below demonstrates how to configure the required settings using the root user of your MySQL service.
Note that configuring services like Apache, Nginx, wildcard DNS and wildcard SSL is not part of the module’s automation.
These steps relate to your server’s own management. You will need to handle them yourself if you manage your server directly and have the required technical knowledge, otherwise your hosting provider should take care of them for you.
