First Customer Onboarding

Step-by-step guide for onboarding the first provider customer on Castovia. Follow each phase to ensure a repeatable, safe, and successful launch.

1. Pre-Sales Qualification

  • Identify provider type (IPTV operator, OTT provider, reseller).
  • Confirm content is legally sourced — Castovia does not provide content.
  • Assess technical readiness (server availability, CDN/DRM needs).
  • Identify plan tier based on subscriber count, features, and budget.
  • Explain vendor cost model: CDN, DRM, app store fees are separate.

2. Legal Content Check

  • Provider signs acceptable use policy.
  • Provider confirms legal rights to all content they plan to distribute.
  • Castovia reserves right to suspend accounts distributing illegal content.
  • Provider acknowledges illegal content distribution is grounds for termination.

3. Plan Selection & Account Setup

  • Provider selects plan tier (Essential through Enterprise).
  • Account created in Castovia with appropriate plan and permissions.
  • Admin credentials provided securely.
  • Trial period configured if applicable (typically 14–30 days).

4. Vendor Account Requirements

  • CDN: Provider creates own account (e.g., Bunny CDN) if needed.
  • DRM: Provider creates own account (e.g., castLabs DRMtoday) if needed.
  • App store: Provider has own Google Play developer account for app publishing.
  • All vendor costs are the provider’s responsibility.

5. Server Setup

  • Provider provisions Linux server(s) per sizing guide.
  • Install Castovia agent on provider node(s).
  • Validate heartbeat, capabilities, and storage paths.
  • Configure recording, catch-up, and DVR paths.

6. CDN & DRM Setup

  • Connect CDN provider account in Castovia admin.
  • Test CDN connection and health.
  • Connect DRM provider account if DRM is required.
  • Validate DRM policy and license proxy.

7. App Setup (if Studio plan)

  • Configure app branding (name, colors, logos, splash).
  • Download config JSON.
  • Build debug APK and test on physical device.
  • Prepare release signing and store submission.

8. Billing Setup

  • Configure Stripe billing (when activated).
  • Set up self-service checkout for eligible plans.
  • Configure webhook endpoint for payment events.
  • Test checkout flow with test card.

9. Playback Test

  • Create first test subscriber line.
  • Configure test stream and EPG.
  • Test playback on target devices (web, Android TV, mobile, MAG/Stalker).
  • Verify CDN routing and DRM enforcement if configured.

10. Monitoring & Support

  • Verify health endpoint returns healthy.
  • Confirm admin monitoring dashboard is accessible.
  • Confirm support channel is defined and known to provider.
  • Document escalation path.

11. Go-Live Decision

  • All playback tests pass.
  • Billing (if applicable) is tested and verified.
  • Legal content acknowledgement signed.
  • Support channel confirmed.
  • Rollback plan documented (how to disable/suspend if needed).
  • Provider approves go-live.

Critical Reminders

  • Content rights are the provider\u2019s responsibility. Castovia does not provide content.
  • CDN and DRM vendor costs are separate from Castovia plans.
  • iOS/Apple TV apps require separate commissioning.
  • Always have a rollback plan before go-live.