MultiSite Module Support Thread

[cablesimple]

Hammerhead,
While you technically could use this mod, the only advantage you will get is having a single back-end interface for all three stores. You will have to "wall-off" each product set as the "mixed" concept your presenting isn't possible in the modules current state.

I'm pretty sure you can do what you want to do with shipping, but I would have to really look at it to say for sure. If you can do it, you would have to identify and set the correct variables to enable the shipping modules you would like on each store. You would do this by first enabling all shipping modules you would like to use, then going to the admin and going to tools->multisite tools and searching for the shipping module names. You will see something like this (flat of course would be whatever shipping module you're searching for):

define('MODULE_SHIPPING_FLAT_STATUS','True'); //Enable Flat Shipping 

Then in your includes/config_sites/<STORE CONFIG FILE> you would set that to True or False depending on what you want for that store.

If you don't care about the single backend, then just install zencart 3 times. It would be a lot easier since you're not really getting the true benefit of this mod.

[Hammerhead]

Hammerhead,
While you technically could use this mod, the only advantage you will get is having a single back-end interface for all three stores. You will have to "wall-off" each product set as the "mixed" concept your presenting isn't possible in the modules current state.
...If you don't care about the single backend, then just install zencart 3 times. It would be a lot easier since you're not really getting the true benefit of this mod.

Thanks for getting back to me.

I do, in fact, want one single admin panel and one consolidated catalog of the various products supplied by my various distributors so that the experience is seamless from the customer's standpoint and I don't pull my hair out trying to manage it all. Having to re-customize three installs and manage three databases is too much.

Another alternative for me (to keep it simple) would be simply a "ship by category" feature that would force certain products within certain categories to ship from a particular origin zip code and carrier. Seems there was a module out there somewhere but it looks like it disappeared, along with the site that was using it.

Per another post I made earlier today:

It would seem to me that it would be fairly simple for Zen to:
1) Add a 'supplier' or 'vendor' tables that include an ID and origin zip for each provider. Or, create a 'hidden' or 'masked' category that's not seen by the customer for this purpose.
2) Cross reference products and/or categories to those vendor ID or hidden categories.
3) On checkout, Zen looks at item, vendor and orgin zip, cross references against UPS module, returns freight charge in checkout for each item, grouping items by vendor so that stuff shipping from any given warehouse is only charged freight once.

[cablesimple]

Hammerhead,
What your suggesting certainly could be done, but by no means would I say it would be "fairly simple". Coming from someone who has quite quite a bit of shipping module, and checkout engine development experience on zen cart I can say for sure this would be involved.

I suppose if I were going to do it I would attempt to design a sort of "super-shipping module" that would query the other modules you've told it to use, then handle all the special display functions. Seems that would be easier than trying to rewrite all the shopping card code to handle multiple selected shipping methods.

If there was a module to do that, I would certainly be interested. PM me if you find it. Good luck.

[Hammerhead]

Hammerhead,
What your suggesting certainly could be done, but by no means would I say it would be "fairly simple"... If there was a module to do that, I would certainly be interested. PM me if you find it. Good luck.

Don't newbies who don't know their arse from a hole in the ground always think that something is simple?

[Hammerhead]

By the way, I have no problem at all if there are three carts representing the three different suppliers. In other words, if I had three carts - one for each vendor - within the confines of my one store, that'd be alright with me.

[cablesimple]

Yeah, that isn't simple either :)

FYI. I feel your pain. I have a similar problem. I drop from 1 main distributor, and I can also drop from 2 of the most common manufacturers. The problem is that the main distributor has multiple warehouses. So if someone orders 5 products and they are split among 2 different warehouses I get hit with 2 shipping fees.

In many cases it's cheaper to use the manufacturer, but of course if another manufacturer was purchased on the same order I've got 2 shipping charges. It's all very complicated, and in some cases I end up losing money on shipping.

To make matters worse it's all the same type of product so it doesn't make sense to split it into multiple stores. I'm probably going to dump the distributor, and just stick with the manufacturers. Of course then I have almost the same problem as you. So, keep an eye out, you may see that "super shipping module" from me if you don't find it first :)

[Hammerhead]

Yeah, that isn't simple either :)

Funny how sometimes the most obvious things are the most complicated to get done.

I came across this thread. Too bad it can't be found anywhere for dowload. Might solve some problems.
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28321

And in the meantime, I'm still not clear on what the MSMS module does.

Who is it aimed at? Is it a utility for admins who host stores for other sellers? I just don't "get" what it does.

[ReeFlippee]

ReeFlippee,

I read through your question on the previous page. This mod would work very well for you. As I mentioned I have about 30 stores currently running on MultiSite with absolutely no problem at all.

Thank you! I was hoping someone would reply with saying it went well for them. I know I'll be back with questions!

[adnanrana]

I have a problem with the "All Products" link on the left hand side in the categories side box. I have the module installed on two different sites, and the problem exists on both. Can someone please have a look at it for me.

http://www.keyfitness.co.uk
http://www.fitnessmall.co.uk

They are both completely seperate sites with seperate databases and hosting companies.

Thanks
Adnan

[toussi]

Question,

I have Site A and Site B running active with products

Can the multistage module be used to have the orders appear on just 1 site? Or is the mufti site only if i want to launch Site C?