Multi-tenancy

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Information technology that can serve multiple clients , i.e. customers or clients, on the same server or the same software system , without these having mutual insight into their data, user administration and the like, is referred to as multi-client capable (also client-capable ) . An IT system that satisfies this characteristic offers the possibility of disjoint , client-oriented data storage, presentation ( GUI ) and configuration ( customizing ). Each customer can only see and change their data. A system does not become multi-tenant by creating a separate instance (copy) of the system for each tenant.

The tenant is the supreme authority in the IT system and represents a closed unit in the system in terms of data and organization. The client thus structures the use of the system.

In a multi-client system, a distinction must be made between client-specific and cross-client data and objects. Client-dependent data and objects are data, data presentations and configurations that can be regulated individually for each client. Examples are customers, their account information or the user directory.

Cross-client data and objects are used for general and client-independent configuration of the system. Examples are countries, locations, exchange rates or internationally standardized industry catalogs.

Advantages of client systems are in particular the central installation and maintenance, the lower storage requirement for data (since cross-client data and objects only need to be kept once per installed system and not even per client), and possibly lower license costs (depending on the license model).

Examples

  • Large web hosts offer thousands of web presences for independent clients under one IP address .
  • On some content management systems and online shop systems, different clients can be served on the same instance.
  • With virtual servers, several systems with different IP addresses can be operated on one piece of hardware, which look like a separate server for the respective customer.
  • Several companies (clients) are managed in the same instance of an ERP system , e.g. B. Parent company plus subsidiaries . On a smaller scale z. For example, several companies can be created in the same accounting program, for example also parent company plus subsidiaries or a tax consultant manages several clients in his program.