A separate data base would be set up for the sites with all of the pertinent information: name, url, host, address, dns etc etc as defined in the individual site data bases. Plus you would add one more field to all of the module data bases for site.

You would be able to use a default format similar to Instant Overview of your business as a whole, by individual site and by a defined group ( similar to creating a category). Or you would be able to define what information you require from each individual module. Ie. marketing data, administrative data or accounting/finance data.

This is the critical part.
Being able to define what information you desire and in what format. As all of us have our own tracking and monitoring software we use for our business. However, with more and more software it is in now possible to import data in a certain format to allow the reporting program to utilize the data. For example UTF-8 format.

For example: Membership you would have all of the current data fields plus one for individual sites. Now you can monitor what his happening on a global basis among your sites or in each individual site level. You may decide to have a special that all your sites could benefit from. You then would have the ability to do a mass email without duplicating the messages to your membership. So if you had a member in 2 or more of your sites then the process would filter that out. Or the email you want to send out is applicable to only 2 of your sites. So the email would send only to the members of those 2 sites. Again with no duplication.

If you carry the example further for use on affiliate programs whether they are your own or you are selling as an affiliate. Again in each case you would add the field of the sites. So you would be able to monitor what the global income was and how it broke down by site by product etc..

Further if your accounting is centralized you would then be able to issue an affiliate cheque rather then several if you had the same affiliates selling for a number of your sites or products. The same holds true for JV, Member-Member

For marketing you would also be able to start tracking trends that you would not have seen otherwise. To allow you to adjust your targets accordingly

For administration purposes should you be changing an affiliate program you could then be able to make the change from one central location as opposed to opening up each individual site and making the change. This hold true with all links and advertising as well

This would hold true for other areas such as products, services, member tp member offers. JVs etc.

Should you want to access data on an individual site basis then the module would physically open the subject site for you to make your adjustments on the individual site. This way there is only one change needed as the main data base is populated by the individual site data bases.

This module would be set up as basically its own site. With all of the same modules with the added feature of merging the data in a useable format. You would have one more setting within your Admin Management module which would monitor access to this module and in what module in what site.

On the site side –
The only difference would be the extra site info data base plus one field would be defaulted in each site to the site itself. Only when the data would be brought in to the central data base would it then be relevant to data being manipulated. Very similar to the development of a consolidated balance sheet and income statement for e conglomerate. Or a multi-divisional company.

There would be no physical difference in the actual operation of the site from a webmaster's point of view. All tasks and functions would be performed in the same manner. With one notable exception that that is the initial set up at the beginning with all of the relevant site information:
name
url
dns
domain renewal date
host
host contact info
webmaster
webmaster contact info
admin username
admin pasword

Another benefit of having the Control data base off site is that it also, if set up properly be utilized as a backup to the sites. Therefore if it were necessary to reload a site or utilize a backup all of the data is there. With the only exception being the back up of the control data base.

Information Flow:

Site A Site B Site C Site D Site E Site F

data flow via api / rss to

Central Control

data flow via exporting info flows via direct connection
3rd part programs or services and manual instruction to
ie Quick Books , Aweber the sites for adjustments

Flows back to Central Control via api/rss for live update

2) Reduces the friction for the viewer and member of using the site. Not only from the site's physical operation but also regarding superfluous emails. Less friction ultimately should mean more sales.

A necessary add on as member continue to grow the quantity of sites. Central management of information becomes just a critical then as it does for the individual sites.

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Thanks,

Nam Tran