The verdict in three sentences
An AI digitization project costs 150,000 to 500,000 MAD (14,000 to 47,000 EUR) in 2026 and makes 10,000 to 50,000 documents searchable in full text. It cuts the time to find a file from 20 minutes to 20 seconds through automatic OCR, classification and indexing. For a law firm, the real value comes from quality control, legal archiving and security of sensitive data.
Project cost and volume
The price depends on the number of documents, their condition (handwritten, stamps, old deeds) and the indexing level. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude, quoted in MAD.
| Item | Range (MAD) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Archive audit & prep | 20,000 - 50,000 | Sorting, document condition |
| Physical scanning | 30,000 - 120,000 | High-resolution scan |
| OCR + AI classification | 40,000 - 150,000 | Extraction, deed typing |
| Indexing & DMS | 40,000 - 130,000 | Metadata, search engine |
| Quality control & testing | 20,000 - 50,000 | Sample verification |
On the running side, count on 1,000 to 4,000 MAD a month for secure hosting, backups and search-engine maintenance.
Quality control, archiving and security
A law firm cannot tolerate a misfiled document or data readable by a third party. The project applies strict controls and compliant archiving.
| Step | Standard 2026 | Control |
|---|---|---|
| OCR accuracy (printed) | > 98 % | 5 % sample re-read |
| OCR accuracy (handwritten) | 85 - 95 % | Targeted human validation |
| Deed classification | > 95 % | Rules + expert review |
| Metadata indexing | > 97 % | Search tested |
| Encryption at rest | AES-256 | Security audit |
| Access traceability | Logged | Timestamped logs |
Archiving respects retention obligations, with redundant backups and role-based restricted access. Original documents remain the legal reference; the digital version speeds up retrieval.
Mini case study
Mr. Bennett, senior partner at a firm in London, managed 28,000 paper files. Finding a deed took around 20 minutes and tied up a clerk. The project, quoted at 320,000 MAD, makes everything full-text searchable: a search now takes 20 seconds. Over 15 searches a day at a clerk hourly cost of 80 MAD, the firm saves around 55 hours a month, i.e. 4,400 MAD, plus a considerable gain in responsiveness for clients. The pure time ROI is reached in about 6 years, but the reliability and security value justify it from year one.
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FAQ
Does OCR handle handwritten and old deeds?
Yes, with 85 to 95 % accuracy on handwriting versus over 98 % on print. Doubtful passages are routed to targeted human validation.
Do digitized documents have legal value?
Digitization speeds up retrieval, but the paper original remains the legal reference unless a specific certified-archiving procedure is used. The project can include that option.
How is sensitive data secured?
AES-256 encryption at rest, role-based restricted access, access logging and redundant backups. A security audit is included in the project.
How long does the project take?
For 10,000 to 50,000 documents, count on 2 to 5 months depending on the archive condition and indexing level. Physical preparation is often the longest step.
Can we keep digitizing on an ongoing basis afterwards?
Yes. Once the DMS is in place, each new file is scanned, classified and indexed automatically, which avoids rebuilding a backlog.
Let's scope your project. Share your document volume, their condition and your budget, and we will quote the right digitization project. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
