The verdict in three sentences
An API ERP/CRM integration in New York costs between FCFA 2,500,000 for a simple connector (client synchronisation) and FCFA 18,000,000 for a middleware orchestrating several systems in real time. Price depends on the number of connectors, the availability of APIs and the choice between point-to-point and middleware. Expect 3 to 14 weeks of delivery and annual maintenance of 15 to 25 % of the initial cost, because vendor APIs evolve.
Cost grid per connector (New York, 2026)
Each flow between two systems is a connector. Here are the 2026 ranges in FCFA depending on flow complexity.
| Connector type | 2026 range (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Client sync (CRM ↔ ERP) | 2,500,000 - 5,000,000 | 2-3 wks |
| Product/stock sync | 3,000,000 - 6,500,000 | 3-4 wks |
| Orders + billing | 4,000,000 - 9,000,000 | 4-6 wks |
| Accounting (automatic entries) | 5,000,000 - 11,000,000 | 5-7 wks |
| Connector on proprietary API | 6,000,000 - 14,000,000 | 6-10 wks |
A typical project combines 2 to 3 connectors, i.e. FCFA 7,000,000 to 15,000,000. Cost climbs mainly when one of the systems has no standard API.
Middleware vs point-to-point: the architecture that changes everything
Linking N systems directly (point-to-point) multiplies connections and becomes unmanageable. A middleware centralises the flows. 2026 comparison.
| Criterion | Point-to-point | Middleware |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost 2 systems (FCFA) | 2,500,000 - 5,000,000 | 6,000,000 - 10,000,000 |
| Initial cost 4+ systems (FCFA) | 12,000,000 - 25,000,000 | 10,000,000 - 18,000,000 |
| Number of connections | N x (N-1) | N |
| Maintenance | Growing | Controlled |
| Suited if | 2-3 stable systems | 4+ systems, scalable |
2026 rule: below 3 systems, point-to-point is more economical. Beyond that, middleware costs less to maintain despite a higher initial investment.
Maintenance and 3-year cost
Vendor APIs (Salesforce, SAP, Sage, HubSpot) change regularly. An unmaintained integration breaks in 6-18 months.
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| Item | Point-to-point (FCFA/yr) | Middleware (FCFA/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Flow monitoring | 600,000 - 1,200,000 | 1,000,000 - 2,000,000 |
| Vendor API updates | 800,000 - 2,000,000 | 1,200,000 - 3,000,000 |
| Evolutions (new flows) | 1,000,000 - 3,000,000 | 1,500,000 - 4,000,000 |
Over 3 years, a middleware integration at FCFA 12,000,000 comes to FCFA 22,000,000 - 28,000,000 all-in. Planning maintenance at signature avoids sync failures in production.
Mini case study
Ama runs a distribution company in New York, 22 employees, manually re-entering orders from the CRM into the accounting ERP. Two people spend 25 hours/week in total, at FCFA 3,000/loaded hour = FCFA 75,000/week, with a 6 % error rate generating credit notes at FCFA 45,000 each (about 8/month = FCFA 360,000/month).
She invests FCFA 8,500,000 in two connectors (CRM ↔ ERP orders and client sync). Re-entry disappears (FCFA 3,900,000/yr saved) and credit notes drop 90 % (FCFA 3,888,000/yr). Annual saving: FCFA 7,788,000, integration paid back in 13 months, hosting and maintenance included.
FAQ
How much for a first ERP/CRM connector in 2026? Between FCFA 2,500,000 and 5,000,000 for a bidirectional client sync, if both systems expose a standard API. It's the most common entry point.
Middleware or point-to-point: when to switch? As soon as you connect 4 systems or more, or plan to add some. Below 3 stable systems, point-to-point remains cheaper to buy and to run.
What if our software has no API? You must build a custom connector (FCFA 6,000,000 to 14,000,000) or use scheduled file exports/imports, cheaper but not real-time and more fragile.
What annual maintenance budget to plan? Between 15 and 25 % of initial cost per year, because vendor APIs evolve. Without maintenance, an integration usually breaks within 6 to 18 months during an update.
How long to deliver an integration? From 2-3 weeks for a simple connector to 6-10 weeks for a multi-system middleware or a connector on a proprietary API, tests and acceptance included.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the systems to connect (ERP, CRM, e-commerce), the availability of their APIs and your deadline: we quote connector by connector. 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.
