Billing Mode Explained
Understand how IEMSuite's billing mode works - what changes when billing is OFF (BETA) vs ON (production), and how the transition affects your account.
What Is Billing Mode?
IEMSuite has a system-wide Billing Mode switch. When Billing Mode is OFF, subscription billing is off. Standard feature and quota guards are relaxed; module-specific access and permissions still apply. When Billing Mode is ON, the platform charges subscriptions based on the plan each organization selected.
Billing Mode OFF
Current state (BETA). No subscription payment is required. Standard feature and quota guards are relaxed. Scale-only OEE/MES access and IEQ access checks still apply.
Billing Mode ON
Future production state. Organizations are charged based on their selected plan. Plan feature limits are enforced.
Current State: Billing Mode OFF (Beta)
Right now, all of the following apply:
- Standard features are open - recipes, QC and cost analysis use the billing-off bypass
- No warehouse limits - you can create unlimited warehouses
- No payment information required - Plans & billing shows "No payment required"
- Additional gates remain - OEE/MES tools need Scale; IEQ needs workspace enablement and a forecasting allowance; every action still requires the appropriate role permissions
What You See in the App
While Billing Mode is OFF, the app's billing-related UI looks different from normal:
| Location | What You See (Beta) | What You'll See (Production) |
|---|---|---|
| Workspace settings → Plans & billing | Your current plan with "Free access" and "No payment required". | Your plan name, next billing date, payment method, and upgrade options. |
| Feature gates (e.g., QC) | Standard QC/recipe/cost gates are bypassed; Scale-only OEE/MES and IEQ access remain separate. | Plan gate shows if you try to access a feature above your plan. |
| Landing page pricing | Beta shows free-access messaging. During the announcement/transition phase, prices can be shown while billing is still off. | Shows configured plan prices and the current launch-phase messaging. |
When Billing Mode Turns ON
The switch from Early Access to paid billing is a platform-wide toggle. We will communicate the transition date and pricing to every organization in advance, before any charge is applied. Exact timing and process are still being finalized.
Plan Selection at Transition
At the transition point, each organization's admin will need to:
Choose a plan
Select Starter, Growth, or Scale based on the features you've been using during Early Access.
Add a payment method
Billing is processed by Stripe (web app) or added to your Shopify bill (Shopify app).
Shopify Billing vs Web Billing
IEMSuite supports two billing channels. Your channel depends on how you first registered:
| Billing Type | How You Registered | Where Payment Is Processed |
|---|---|---|
| Web Billing | Registered on iemsuite.com and use the web app | Stripe - managed from Workspace settings → Plans & billing |
| Shopify Billing | Installed IEMSuite in Shopify | Shopify - charged through your Shopify subscription alongside other app fees |
FAQ
Can I change my billing channel from Shopify to Web (or vice versa)?
Not currently. The billing channel is determined at registration. Contact support at [email protected] if you need to migrate.
Can I cancel at any time?
Yes. Web subscriptions are managed from Workspace settings → Plans & billing (it opens the Stripe billing portal); Shopify subscriptions are managed in your Shopify admin. Cancelling does not delete your operational data.