Understanding Multi-Tenant Solutions in 3CX:
Do you want to manage multiple clients on a dedicated 3CX system? Hosting multiple tenants on a single 3CX setup helps you save money, reduce hardware needs, and keep everything in one place. But how do you set it up, and what should you watch out for? Let’s break it down step by step!
As businesses grow and adopt more scalable communication solutions, Multi-Tenant setups in 3CX have become a key consideration. Many users have questions about how Multi-Tenant works, its benefits, and its limitations. To address these common queries, we have created this blog to provide further insights and answers.
What is Multi-Tenant in 3CX?
A Multi-Tenant system allows multiple independent tenants (customers) to share the same 3CX installation while maintaining isolation from one another. 3CX Partners operate the Multi-Tenant with an MSP mindset. The minimum license required is a 16-SC Pro or higher.
With the release of 3CX V20 update 2, a new multi-company/tenant capability was introduced making it easier to host multiple businesses on a single 3CX instance. This is especially useful for small businesses (SOHO/SMB) with up to 20 users who need a reliable phone system without the complexity of managing a dedicated instance.
Instead of setting up separate dedicated 3CX instances for each company, businesses can now be configured as departments within a single instance.
This helps reduce costs, simplify management, and improve efficiency for partners, MSPs, and VoIP providers.
Why Multi-Tenant makes sense?
A Multi-Tenant 3CX system is useful when businesses don’t need advanced customisations. It helps:
- Partners and VoIP providers host multiple companies on one instance.
3CX Multi-Tenant: Key Questions Answered:
What are the key differences between Multi-Tenant and Dedicated 3CX setups?
Multitenant:
- No hotel features.
- No additional in-depth configuration like M365 or CRM integrations.
- Isolated from other tenants.
- No custom hold music (global setting applies) however call queues can have their own music on hold from update 5.
Dedicated:
- M365 and CRM integrations available along with hotel features.
- Custom hold music per client.
- More flexibility in configuration.
Is it possible to have a different outbound caller ID name for each company on 3CX Multi-Tenant while using the same SIP trunk?
You can create outbound rules with unique outbound caller IDs triggered per department. Setup guide for outbound rules: https://www.3cx.com/docs/manual/outbound-call-routing/.
What are the hardware requirements of 3CX Multi-Tenant?
The hardware requirements are identical to a dedicated instance, and will depend on the number of users you will be adding to the system.
Is there a limit to the number of tenants?
This depends on the extension digit length. For example, a 3-digit PBX will be able to handle less tenants than a 5-digit PBX. This is also dependent on the hardware specification of the 3CX server. Multi-Tenant is designed to be scalable.
Can I use the config API for existing users from other instances?
The configuration API is for all 3CX systems. This is not just limited to the Multi-Tenant! Have the system work for you. You could potentially make money as you sleep, by having a customer set up their instance. Select their package (5, 10, 15 users etc), and their SIP Trunk. Even have the potential customer add their users in the partner’s website portal and the API will go and set up the users.
Does Multi-Tenant support Microsoft 365 or Teams integration?
No, 3CX Multi-Tenant does not support Microsoft 365 or Teams integration. It also lacks fax functionality.
Can I migrate from a Multi-Tenant to a Dedicated setup?
Yes, but you will need to create a new dedicated instance. To help in the move you can export users via a CSV file and re-configure call queues manually after importing.
How are upgrades and backups handled in Multi-Tenant?
Upgrades apply to all the tenants and backups are done at a global level rather than individually per tenant. Less administration for the 3CX partner.
Who manages the tenants in a Multi-Tenant system?
- The System Owner manages all the tenants.
- You can allow customers to be owners, department admins, or system admins for their own tenant.
- The company owner can create queues, department admins and SIP trunks – the 3CX Partner decides what access to allow.
How are SIP trunks managed in a Multi-Tenant setup?
Each tenant has their own SIP trunk. This allows the 3CX partner to easily manage individual billing and call reporting.
Will there be a tenant specific phonebook?
The tenant phonebook is not available yet. It is in the pipeline and will be coming in an upcoming update. There is currently no ETA.
Can emergency numbers be set per tenant?
Yes, emergency numbers can be created for each tenant. When a call is placed, the system ensures the correct outbound number is used based on the assigned SIP trunk.
Some of the limitations and features not available in Multi-Tenant :
- Fax Functionality: Sending or receiving faxes is not supported.
- CRM Integration: allows for seamless customer interactions.
- Hotel Features: a dedicated instance is a must for this environment.
- Isolated Tenants: Each tenant functions independently with no cross-interaction so if a business has multiple locations they cannot share presence across tenants, if they are on a dedicated instance they can see presence of other branches/locations.
- Global Hold Music: Hold music is standardized across all tenants but note that customisable.
- Call Queues: Each tenant can have unique call queue configurations.
3CX also shared post on the forum giving more details of the Multi-Tenant setup. This helps partners understand what’s available and what’s not.
This Q&A clearly explains the 3CX Multi-Tenant setup, helping businesses choose the best option!
Moving from Multi-Tenant to a Dedicated Instance:
If a business outgrows a Multi-Tenant setup, switching to a dedicated instance involves:
- Exporting users to a .CSV file.
- Re-importing users into the new system.
- Reconfiguring call queues and settings.
How to Set Up Multi-Tenant 3CX
- Access the 3CX Portal and navigate to downloads. Avoid installing directly from the My Systems page.
- Download the 3CX Multi-Tenant Installer for Windows/Linux.
- Only the eligible keys for Multi-Tenant installation will appear – must be a brand new 16-SC Pro or higher license. Previously deployed licenses are not eligible.
- Select the installation type (Cloud or On-Premises).
- Choose between FQDN / custom FQDN.
- Set extension preferences, including country, language, and time zone.
- Choose the platform (Windows/Linux), which follows the same installation process as dedicated instances.
The guide shows you with all the steps to set-up & configure Multi-Tenant within your 3CX phone system. If you need additional guidance or our technical assistance, email us at ucsupport@bluechipit.co.nz or call us at +64 9 306 0454.
Final Thoughts:
Choosing between 3CX Multi-Tenant and a Dedicated setup depends on the end customer needs. Multi-Tenant is designed for 3CX Partners to use it as an MSP tool – it is a cost-effective solution. For clients that require advanced integrations and customisation, a Dedicated setup is the way to go.
We are here to help you. Reach out to us at uc@bluechipit.co.nz for any further information. Whether you’re setting up a new system or migrating from Multitenant to Dedicated, understanding these differences will help you make the right decision for each of your customers.