Multitenancy

Multitenancy refers to a principle in software architecture where a single instance of the software runs on a server, serving multiple client organizations (tenants). Multitenancy is contrasted with a multi-instance architecture where separate software instances (or hardware systems) are set up for different client organizations. With a multitenant architecture, a software application is designed to virtually partition its data and configuration, and each client organization works with a customized virtual application instance.

Multitenancy is also regarded as one of the essential attributes of cloud computing.

The principle of multitenancy is not universally accepted and supported within the software industry, and this may be a source of competitive differentiation.