MySQL – Create Table for Each User Account or One Huge Table?

I really have to encourage you to look at the way DB schemas are handled by existing CRM systems and consider whether (1) you wouldn't be further off customizing one of these systems and (2) you're not biting off more than you can chew.

Most CRM systems I've seen have extensive customization capabilities built into them. Typically, this includes the ability to extend and/or modify the definitions of the built-in entities and the ability to add new entity types and relationships. Many of these CRM systems also have the ability to set up some pretty funky security setups, and some might be able to do something similar to what you're suggesting.

I'd also encourage you to try to pry a business scenario out of this client, as well. What's got him convinced that sales reps are going to share information? If they're working together on a team, then existing CRM systems have this covered already. If not, then I'd be a little suspicious about the premise of information sharing. Understand that sales reps are going to follow the money with respect to their behavior. If they're paid to share information, then it'll happen; otherwise, you're going to have to beat them with a stick to share anything.

What type of logging would you be looking at gaining? What I do in my application is an audit table that tracks application user, application command, and result (among other things). This, along with another audit table that tracks individual table changes, provides all the logging we need per user.

You could also set up a connection pool in your application to control connections per application.

At first blush, I think trying to manage so many users is a burden that outweighs any possible benefits.