The Multi-Software Challenge for Accounting Firms
A growing accounting firm or financial consultancy often finds itself managing clients across multiple accounting platforms: some clients use Tally Prime, others use Tally ERP 9, some use Busy, a few have Marq ERP, and perhaps some use industry-specific software. Managing separate installations for each platform — on a local server or across multiple machines — creates an increasingly complex IT environment.
Cloud hosting consolidates all of these onto a single Windows Server instance: one managed environment, one daily backup covering all client data, one support team, and one monthly invoice regardless of how many software platforms are running.
One Server, Multiple Accounting Platforms
Windows Server 2022 can run multiple accounting applications simultaneously:
- Tally Prime and Tally ERP 9 can both be installed and run concurrently — different users work in different Tally versions simultaneously
- Busy Accounting Software runs alongside Tally — separate application, same server
- Marq ERP can be configured on the same server with its own database server component
- Microsoft Office, PDF tools, and utility software run in the same Windows environment
Each user's RDP session is independent — a staff member working in Tally for one client and another staff member working in Busy for another client have entirely isolated sessions sharing the same server's hardware resources.
Sizing for Multi-Platform Accounting Firms
Server sizing for a firm running multiple applications is based on total concurrent sessions across all applications, not per-application counts.
| Firm Configuration | Total Concurrent Users | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 staff — some in Tally, some in Busy | 5 concurrent users | ₹3,500 + 18% GST |
| 8 staff — mixed Tally/Busy + 2 partners remote | 8 concurrent users | ₹5,600 + 18% GST |
| 12 staff — full practice management | 10–12 concurrent users | ₹7,000–₹8,400 + 18% GST |
All plans contracted annually at ₹700/user/month. 18% GST additional — fully recoverable as ITC for GST-registered firms.
Client Data Management and Security
On a shared cloud server running multiple client companies, data isolation is provided at multiple levels:
- Each client's Tally companies are individual company files — accessible only to staff members with Tally-level access rights
- Tally's built-in security restricts which user logins can open which companies
- Windows user-level permissions can further restrict directory access
- Daily backups cover all client data — restoration is available per-company if needed
No client's data is accessible by other clients — all clients run on the same server but their data is segregated at both the OS and application level.
Onboarding New Clients — Simplified
When an accounting firm adds a new client on cloud:
- Create a new Tally or Busy company on the existing server — takes minutes
- No hardware changes required
- No new software licences needed if the existing licence supports unlimited companies
- If additional concurrent users are needed, notify M A Global Network — server resized within hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Both applications consume RAM and CPU during active use. If 3 users are in Tally and 2 users are in Busy simultaneously, the server needs adequate resources for all 5 concurrent sessions — regardless of which application they are using. M A Global Network sizes the server for total concurrent users across all applications. The applications themselves do not interfere with each other — each user's session is isolated. Performance is determined by total concurrent load against server resources, not by the software mix.
All Your Clients' Accounting Software — One Managed Server
Tally + Busy + any Windows accounting app on one server. ₹700/user/month + 18% GST. 7-day risk-free guarantee.