How to Manage Multiple Google Workspace Tenants

Written by Ashley Gwilliam on June 8, 2023

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In the realm of IT administration, finding ways to save time and increase efficiency are paramount. For managed service providers (MSPs) responsible for overseeing multiple Google Workspace tenants, simplifying workflows is even more essential. 

Imagine effortlessly managing numerous Google Workspace tenants, all from one centralized platform. In this daydream, you say farewell to tool sprawl and become a streamlined workflow virtuoso, effortlessly overseeing access control and management without breaking a sweat. The good news? This transformation is entirely possible. 

We invite you to enter a world where access control consolidation reigns supreme, empowering MSPs with unrivaled efficiency. This article will review two ways you can go about managing multiple Google Workspace tenants. 

Google’s Multi-tenant Solution

One option is to use Google’s multi-tenant solution. While it has some undeniable limitations this option presents prominent advantages. Some of them include:

High performance: With multi-tenancy, Google leverages its robust infrastructure to deliver high performance to tenants. The underlying infrastructure is designed to handle the demands of multiple tenants simultaneously, ensuring that each tenant receives the necessary resources and performance levels.

Reliability and availability: Google’s multi-tenant solution is built on a highly reliable and available infrastructure. It incorporates redundancy and fault-tolerance mechanisms, allowing tenants to benefit from high uptime and minimal service disruptions.

Innovation and updates: Multi-tenancy allows Google to introduce new features, updates, and innovations seamlessly across multiple tenants. This ensures that tenants can leverage the latest advancements without additional effort or disruption.

As for the limitations, to manage multiple Google Workspace domains, an administrator is required to personally add and confirm ownership of the secondary domain. Each domain will require a Google Workspace account. Operating multiple organization resources, therefore, requires multiple Google Workspace accounts and the ability to manage identities across them.  This option is only available to certified Google resellers. 

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Secondly, although Google Cloud Identity features a premium endpoint management option that is similar to a mobile device management (MDM) tool, it’s ultimately limited to select mobile devices and Windows 10 computers.

Google’s multi-tenancy offering can be used to manage client networks. However, the process is complicated and may be challenging for some users. As a result, MSPs may have to look for alternative solutions from various providers. 

Since MSPs are engaged in more than just system and network management, having multiple players in the game creates different identities that demand individual focus. MSPs with multiple clients to manage may find this practice challenging due to time lost switching between each solution. Also, the overhead required to train technicians to be proficient means spending more money.

Multi-tenancy Through a Third-Party Directory Service 

Another option is to use a third-party directory service. By integrating a robust directory service, administrators gain centralized control and enhanced visibility across multiple tenants simultaneously. This enables them to efficiently handle user provisioning, authentication, and access management across various domains from a single, unified console. 

With a third-party directory service, IT admins can automate user onboarding and offboarding processes, enforce consistent security policies, and simplify the management of user identities and permissions. Furthermore, this solution offers the flexibility to synchronize user data, such as names, email addresses, and group memberships, across all associated Google Workspace tenants, ensuring consistency and minimizing errors. 

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JumpCloud provides a directory service hosted in the cloud, allowing users to oversee various Google Workspace tenants, client systems, networks, and applications through a unified cloud console. Within the JumpCloud Admin Portal, administrators can securely and continuously synchronize multiple Google Workspace instances. This includes importing current users and exporting new JumpCloud users to the desired Google Workspace instance, ensuring seamless management and integration. 

This approach goes beyond managing and configuring macOS, Windows, and Linux workstations and servers. It allows users to use their primary Google Workspace credentials to access their managed machines, as well as applications and networks.

Unified Identity and Access Management for MSPs

Several providers offer solutions for managing multiple Google Workspace tenants, each with their unique features and capabilities. It’s essential to research and evaluate different options to find the best fit for your specific requirements.

When evaluating third-party directory services, consider factors like ease of use, security features, scalability, and pricing. Different providers may have varying levels of integration with Google Workspace and additional capabilities that cater to specific needs. 

For instance, Altitude Integrations, a cloud-forward MSP with more than 200 clients, partnered with JumpCloud and went on to reduce its infrastructure costs by 80% and password reset tickets by 75%.

By utilizing a comprehensive identity and access management solution, you can streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance security for your clients. You also gain the ability to efficiently oversee and control client identities and access across various systems, networks, applications, infrastructure, and Google Workspace. This is possible through JumpCloud’s Multi-Tenant Portal (MTP)

With the MTP, you can:

  • View all of your client’s Google Workspace tenants in one place
  • Switch between tenants quickly and easily
  • Manage users, groups, and permissions for all of your clients
  • Enforce security policies
  • Get real-time insights into user activity

If you’re looking for a way to manage multiple Google Workspace tenants, JumpCloud is a great option. 

JumpCloud’s Multi-Tenant Portal

There are many benefits of managing multiple Google Workspace tenants with JumpCloud. Some of the most notable ones include:

Increased efficiency: Streamline the management of all your clients from a unified platform using the MTP. Consolidate essential operational processes by seamlessly integrating with your existing tools, providing a centralized and efficient workflow experience.

Improved security: Adopt a Zero Trust framework internally and across your customer base with the help of password-less authentication, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) everywhere, and conditional policies.

Reduced costs: JumpCloud is a cost-effective solution for managing multiple Google Workspace tenants. There are no upfront costs, and you only pay for the features that you use.

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When MSPs are responsible for overseeing multiple Google Workspace tenants, having a centralized platform for access control and management becomes essential. Picture yourself effortlessly navigating through numerous tenants from a single platform, leaving behind confusing tasks and embracing the role of a streamlined workflow expert. Consolidating access control becomes a game-changing strategy that empowers MSPs with unmatched efficiency.

While Google’s multi-tenant solution presents some limitations, integrating with a third-party directory service like JumpCloud offers a comprehensive solution. JumpCloud enables MSPs to efficiently oversee and control client identities and access across various systems, networks, and applications. 

Try JumpCloud today to discover the perfect solution for managing multiple Google Workspace tenants.

Ashley Gwilliam

Ashley Gwilliam is a Content Writer for JumpCloud. After graduating with a degree in print-journalism, Ashley’s storytelling skills took her from on-camera acting to interviewing NBA basketball players to ghostwriting for CEOs. Today she writes about tech, startups, and remote work. In her analog life, she is on a quest to find the world's best tacos.

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