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| Multi Level Marketing | |||||||||||
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| Launched in 1995, the FourFront Multi Level Marketing Software is called SiMBA. It can be run either 'back office' only, on an in-house server, where all distributor registrations, orders and genealogy reports are operated by company staff; or with the addition of a web interface, where those tasks can also be done by the distributor on the web. SiMBA Back Office Software SiMBA can be installed either standalone as a means of calculating commissions and displaying genealogies, or can be an integrated part of the accounting, inventory and order processing suite. SiMBA is off the shelf software which handles a diverse range of multi level, binary, single level, party plan, forced matrix and unilevel commission plans, based on retail and wholesale, qualifying and commissionable, team, group and network, unencumbered and dedicated volumes; activity and recruiting. It facilitates roll up, breakaways and compression, and can pay differential percentages down any number of levels, legs or generations. Infinity and Pools bonus types are catered for, and the system incorporates promotions/demotions, cross border sponsoring, multi-currency and automatic placement. Order processing can calculate front end commissions/discounts, and handles kits and many types of special offers. In the unlikely event that a commission plan cannot be calculated from its standard options, FourFront will build the new requirements into its standard software FOC, so all FourFront customers can benefit from the use of standard software with all the positive ramifications for maintainability, support and on going development. SiMBA Web Software Distributors may Register and Order on the web, with real time update to the on line web genealogy browser. Web Genealogy Browser A common requirement is for distributors to be able to view their downline and volume information from your web site upon entering their I.D. number and password. Click on example below to expand, then use as per Windows Explorer. 
The genealogy, in common with all web pages, can be designed in the style of the company's web site, so it becomes a seamless part of the corporate site. The example below was created for Tiscali. 
You may also click on an individual to view current and historic orders, and drill down to individual line items on an order with associated tracking details. Web Registration Distributors may sign up on the web with payment by credit card. The software sends the distributor an email to verify the distributor email address. The email contains a time stamped link for the distributor to click to complete the sign up process, at which point the new distributor id becomes valid. The distributor then receives a confirmation email. If relevant, the software sends an order to the warehouse for a starter or documentation pack. If the distributor does not have a sponsor, the system can allocate one. A distributor may amend his/ her details from the member's pages of the company web site at any time.
Web Ordering Distributors may place orders on the web with payment by one or more credit cards. The payment transaction may be authorised on line or as an end of day routine off line. SiMBA can be integrated with the company's choice of credit card authorisation software. The system can capture party booking detail (if party plan), and allows the sections of a company's order form to be replicated on the web. It has keyword search on products and an image library, and allows the distributor to view on line stock balances and volumes. Discounts, Special Offers, VAT, Sales Tax and Delivery Charges can be calculated and Gifts offered according to company rules. 
Replicating Distributor Websites The company can offer the distributor the opportunity to put together his/her own website without any particular web skills. FourFront has developed its own CMS (Content Management System) software for this purpose. The pages can be distributor personalised with some sections fixed (eg the company's own home page, mission statement, product / services pages etc.) and others added from a drop down list of section types into which the distributor can add text, logos, photos, web links etc. New prospects can be directed to the distributors own website, and if the prospect signs up, the distributor is automatically allocated as his sponsor. Now that many companies pay commissions by electronic automatic payment methods, there is a need for the statement to be sent in a similarly automatic fashion. The commission statements, the design of which varies by company, can be sent automatically as email attachments, see example below. 
Managed Services The majority of FourFront's sites operate the software themselves. Recently though, as MLM companies have moved away from back office ordering to take advantage of the internet, the trend has been towards software houses providing a Managed Solution, and FourFront can act in this capacity if the company runs (or rents from an isp) a web server. This is also a popular route for start up companies where funds are tight in the early days of setting up a network. It can also be a prudent move for larger companies where mlm is not yet part of the core business, and the company wants to access its viability for a fixed monthly cost without excessive staffing and training expense. There are 2 ways in which FourFront can provide a managed Service:-
The services include:-
Customers Read more about three of FourFront's MLM customers, Luxelle, Aquasource & IRM. | |||||||||||
