MultiSite Module Support Thread

[Jeff G]

Even though I am watching this thread, I actually gave up on this mod due to lack of support.

I am working on my own solution that is moving along well.

Here's what I have so far:
Visit the under developement project here http://www.munchieuniversity.com

The links to New York/Buffalo are the ones to look at. When a person registers at any restaurant in the Buffalo mall, they are registered for all Buffalo stores.

In my design, each store has it's own unique product list, with no need to add tags like the multisite mod. It might be fairly easy to share product amoung stores, but I do not need this so I haven't tried to make the mod.

Each order is unique to one store and cannot/will not be combined with others (by design). Again, I think a mod can be made to share orders also if needed.

If there is enough interest, I can write up how I got to this point.

Jeff

[wtashby]

Each order is unique to one store and cannot/will not be combined with others (by design).

Can you explain this a little further? Do you mean that a customer can't shop in one store, then migrate that cart to another before checking out?

[Jeff G]

wtashby,

That's correct. For my needs, each order needs to be unique to that store. The order will not combine with other stores.

Another thing I have not tried yet is a single session login. At this point you must login to each store when placing an order. (Go to store 1, login & place order. Go to store 2 and you are no longer logged in.) I need to test session stuff to get to that level.

However, all the orders go into a shared order file with a new field storing the site name where the order was placed.

My question to you: If you need multiple stores, why would you need to combine the orders? Wouldn't it be easier to just expand the categories in one store?

Jeff

[bogie]

I'm actually trying to cheap out on the SSL cert end... That, and I don't wanna do 15-20 different product sets... Even cutting/pasting, that gets old...

I'm still trying to figure out how get the ezpages to show... Probably have to read the whole thread - probably on page 49 or so...

[wtashby]

wtashby,

My question to you: If you need multiple stores, why would you need to combine the orders? Wouldn't it be easier to just expand the categories in one store?

Jeff

Actually, you wouldn't need to combine the orders, but, it would be nice to be able to offer your customer that option, and the option to be logged in to all the stores at once.

Now, my biggest concern where multiple sites, one admin, one database is involved is product uploads. I suppose the easiest workaround for that would be to use something like Easy Populate. Each store would be a Top level category, v_categories_name_1, and each category within the store would be a sub category, v_categories_name_2, and so on.

The mod would somehow have to be able to say, ok, v_categories_name_1 is Store A, Store B, and Store C and v_categories_name_2 is the Widgets category in Store A, Accessories in Store B, Giftware in Store C and so on.

Just a thought.

[Jeff G]

Actually, you wouldn't need to combine the orders, but, it would be nice to be able to offer your customer that option, and the option to be logged in to all the stores at once.

On my site, each store is a restaurant, so the order must be only for that restaurant. The ability to order from multiple restaurants without having to log in each one would be a plus. I will be trying to figure that one out soon.

Now, my biggest concern where multiple sites, one admin, one database is involved is product uploads. I suppose the easiest workaround for that would be to use something like Easy Populate.

I'm actually using one database with mostly separate tables (& prefixes) for each store. Each store is a ZC install in its own folder. I then changed some files on every site to use the same customer file (and a few others). I use Easy Populate with a separate product file for each store.

I weighed out the single admin on the multisite mod (MSM) vs. having an admin for each store. There are obviously pros and cons to each. I think it would get pretty confusing maintaining the products for each store (200-300 each) in a single table using MSM. It also got a little confusing with categories from one store to the other.

After the first store is completly setup, I just need to copy it to a new folder and modify the configure.php files. I then dump/backup the tables for store 1, clear the product data, change the prefix and restore to the same database.

Another thing to consider... This method might not be best for every situation, but I think it will work for most. On my site I will be hosting totally independent stores. The only connection to each other is my site. I do need the order history in one place for my uses.

I've been working on this for just a few weeks, but so far I have not run into any roadblocks.

[dimar]

Hello Jeff,

I stumbled across some of your posts and what you tell is very interesting. I'm trying to have multiple stores as well, with multiple admins. I've read in your post a while back how to combine the customers, so thanks for that.

The only question I have is: do you think it would be possible to combine everything Except the products?

The reason I ask is as following. I have a (large) store and one category which i regularly get .csv files for. Should work great with EasyPopulate you think? nope.. Easypopulate freezes up on a large store.

So What I want to do is create two stores, with one being just for that one category. The best thing for me would be to share everything else, so the customer won't notice it.
Do you think this is possible (considering I'm a Noob at php?)

Thanks for any advice you could give me!

Sincerely,
DMR

[Jeff G]

DMR,

How many items are in your file? I use EP for another site and have loaded over 3000 items in one file using the split mode. While a little tedious to click each of the split files, it did work fine.

But if you really need to make 2 sites, from what I've seen it should work. You would do sort of the opposite of what I did. In the 2 configure.php files for each store use the same database and the same prefix. In the database_tables.php for each site hard code the prefix for products, products_desc, etc to all use a different table for each store. You then copy those files within the same database to the new name.

You would then end up with something like: (prefix set for each store = "zen_")
zen_table1
zen_table2
zen_table3
store1_products
store1_products_description
store2_products
store2_products_description

You might have to have unique category files also or ZC might get confused. You would have to test thoroughly.

I think it might be a little tough to have a category open another site and return seemlessly.

Jeff

[MotoDelta]

I have multisite module installed but when i click tools> Multisite Tools, i get this message

Sorry, your security clearance does not allow you to access this resource.
Please contact your site administrator if you believe this to be incorrect.
Sorry for any inconvenience.


Tell me how do i get rid of it and solve this problem?

You've obviously added the Admin profiles mod but have not enabled that add-on for your main user. Edit the profile of your primary admin, add multisite to it. Should be listed at the bottom.

[dimar]

DMR,

How many items are in your file? I use EP for another site and have loaded over 3000 items in one file using the split mode. While a little tedious to click each of the split files, it did work fine.

But if you really need to make 2 sites, from what I've seen it should work. You would do sort of the opposite of what I did. In the 2 configure.php files for each store use the same database and the same prefix. In the database_tables.php for each site hard code the prefix for products, products_desc, etc to all use a different table for each store. You then copy those files within the same database to the new name.

You would then end up with something like: (prefix set for each store = "zen_")
zen_table1
zen_table2
zen_table3
store1_products
store1_products_description
store2_products
store2_products_description

You might have to have unique category files also or ZC might get confused. You would have to test thoroughly.

I think it might be a little tough to have a category open another site and return seemlessly.

Jeff

I believe there is about 5000 items in that store, the problem is that the items are already in the store; when I installed EP and tried to open it, it just times out or (when i set a greater execution_time) it just keeps loading.. did you experience the same problem or did you install EP on an empty store?

Anyway, thanks for this info, maybe i'll try it out!