What Is Remote Desktop Cloud Hosting?
Remote Desktop Cloud Hosting is a specific form of cloud server hosting where Windows applications run on a Windows Server in a data centre, and users access those applications via the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) from any device with an internet connection. The computing happens entirely on the server — the user's device displays the screen and transmits keyboard and mouse inputs. No application code or data is stored on the local device.
This architecture is the foundation of Tally on Cloud, Busy on Cloud, and any managed Windows application hosting service. It is not a new concept — Windows Terminal Services (later renamed Remote Desktop Services) has been a mature technology since Windows Server 2000. What cloud hosting adds is professional data centre infrastructure, managed security, automatic backups, and elastic scaling.
How the Remote Desktop Protocol Works
When a user connects to a cloud server via RDP:
- The user's device initiates an encrypted connection to the server on TCP port 3389 (or a custom port for security)
- Authentication occurs — the user enters their Windows username and password
- A Windows session is created on the server specifically for that user, isolated from all other users' sessions
- The server captures screen images and sends them to the user's device as an encrypted data stream
- The user's keyboard inputs and mouse movements are transmitted back to the server and applied to their session
- The cycle repeats continuously — typically 20–30 frames per second for a responsive experience
The critical point: the Tally database, the Windows session, and all application processing happen on the server. The local device receives only a visual stream. Data never travels from the server to the local device (except what the user explicitly exports or prints).
Bandwidth Requirements for Remote Desktop Sessions
| Activity | Bandwidth Required | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Tally data entry (voucher entry, ledger review) | 50 – 200 Kbps | Works on basic 4G mobile |
| Tally report generation (screen update) | 200 – 500 Kbps (burst) | Works on standard broadband |
| Busy invoicing and data entry | 100 – 300 Kbps | Works on 4G mobile data |
| General Windows application usage | 100 – 500 Kbps | Works on standard broadband |
| Per-concurrent-user planning figure | 1 – 2 Mbps | Comfortable margin for all activities |
| 5 concurrent users (office) | 5 – 10 Mbps | Standard 10 Mbps broadband is sufficient |
RDP Client Options — Device Compatibility
Remote Desktop clients are available for every major platform:
- Windows: Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) — built into all Windows versions, no installation needed
- Mac: Microsoft Remote Desktop — free download from Mac App Store
- iOS/iPhone/iPad: Microsoft Remote Desktop — free from App Store
- Android: Microsoft Remote Desktop — free from Google Play Store
- Chromebook: Chrome RDP extension — available from Chrome Web Store
- Web browser (any device): HTML5 RDP client — connect without installing any application (requires provider configuration)
The HTML5 web browser option deserves specific mention: some businesses prefer allowing Tally access from a browser without requiring any client installation on end-user devices. M A Global Network can configure HTML5 RDP access for environments where client installation is impractical (e.g., client-side laptops or public computers).
What Applications Work With Remote Desktop Cloud Hosting?
Any Windows application that runs on Windows Server works via Remote Desktop cloud hosting. Applications that M A Global Network specifically manages and supports:
- Tally ERP 9 and Tally Prime — all editions, all TDL customisations
- Busy Accounting Software — all current versions
- Marq ERP (MARG) — with Marq Server component correctly configured
- Any other Windows business application — custom ERP, industry-specific software, Windows desktop applications
Applications that do NOT work via standard Remote Desktop hosting: hardware-dependent applications that require a physical device connection (e.g., applications that must interact with a locally-attached USB hardware key or biometric reader), and applications with licence terms that explicitly prohibit server-hosted multi-user access.
Security in Remote Desktop Cloud Environments
Three controls make a Remote Desktop cloud server secure:
IP-whitelisting firewall: Only authorised IP addresses can connect to the server on RDP. All other connection attempts — including thousands of automated bot scans per day — are dropped at the network level before reaching Windows.
TLS encryption: All RDP traffic is encrypted with TLS — screen images, keyboard inputs, and mouse movements are encrypted end-to-end between the user's device and the server.
Strong authentication: Each user has a dedicated Windows account with a strong password. Optional two-factor authentication can be enabled on request for environments requiring enhanced access security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — this is the core purpose of Remote Desktop Cloud Hosting. Windows Server 2022 with Remote Desktop Services supports as many simultaneous users as the server's hardware resources accommodate. M A Global Network plans are sized specifically for the concurrent user count you specify — a 5-user plan is provisioned with sufficient RAM and CPU for 5 simultaneous full-performance sessions.
When an RDP session disconnects (internet dropout, device restart, closing the window), the session remains on the server in a "disconnected" state for a configurable timeout period — typically 15–60 minutes. Your Tally or Busy session continues exactly where you left off. When you reconnect within this window, your session resumes with everything intact. After the timeout, the server ends the session automatically. Work in progress that was in a Tally entry but not yet saved would need to be re-entered.
Yes. RDP supports clipboard sharing (copy-paste between local device and server session) and drive redirection (your local drive appears as a mapped drive in the RDP session). Tally data export to Excel, PDF export, and file downloads all work via clipboard or drive mapping. Printing works through RDP printer redirection — your local printer appears in the server session. M A Global Network configures these features based on your operational requirements during setup.
Remote Desktop Cloud Hosting — Any Device, Anywhere in India
Tally, Busy, Marq, or any Windows application. Accessible from PC, Mac, tablet, or phone. Migration in 48 hours.