The verdict in three sentences
A BI dashboard pulls together data scattered across accounting, CRM and your e-commerce site to answer, at a glance, the questions that matter: margin per product, cash at 90 days, top customers. In 2026, a packaged tool like Metabase starts at a few hundred euros a month, while a custom dashboard runs between 12,000 and 35,000 EUR HT, delivered in 4 to 8 weeks. The choice depends on the complexity of your sources and the need for specific business logic.
Packaged tool vs custom build
The question isn't "what's cheapest" but "what holds up over time". A tool like Metabase or Power BI quickly covers 80% of needs; custom takes over when calculation logic, access rights or ergonomics become strategic.
| Criterion | Packaged tool (Metabase/Power BI) | Custom dashboard |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | 3,000 - 8,000 EUR HT | 12,000 - 35,000 EUR HT |
| Recurring cost | 200 - 900 EUR/month | Hosting 50 - 300 EUR/month |
| Timeline | 2 - 4 weeks | 4 - 8 weeks |
| Complex business logic | limited | full |
| Design & experience | standard | bespoke |
| Evolution autonomy | high (self-service) | via dev or back-office |
What drives the budget up
The price depends mostly on the number and cleanliness of your data sources. A modern ERP with an API is simple; an old system with no clean export requires connection work.
| Item | Detail | 2026 range (EUR HT) |
|---|---|---|
| Source connectors | Accounting, CRM, e-commerce, spreadsheets | 3,000 - 10,000 |
| Data modelling | KPIs, margin calcs, consolidation | 3,000 - 9,000 |
| Interface & visuals | Charts, filters, alerts | 3,000 - 8,000 |
| Rights & multi-user | Roles, per-department views | 1,500 - 4,000 |
| QA & training | Testing, team onboarding | 1,500 - 4,000 |
Mini case study
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Claire, finance director of an industrial SME in London (28 staff), spends two days a month consolidating Excel exports from accounting and CRM. Loaded cost: about 900 EUR/month, plus decisions made 3 weeks late. She invests 19,000 EUR HT in a custom dashboard connected to both tools, with a real-time margin view. She saves those 2 days (10,800 EUR/year) and, above all, times her raw-material purchases with fresh data: on a single well-timed supplier renegotiation she recovers more than the project cost. Estimated payback: under 12 months.
FAQ
Is Metabase enough for an SME? Often yes to start: it connects your databases, builds charts and costs a few hundred euros a month. You move to custom when business calculations or design become a bottleneck.
How long before a first useful dashboard? A usable core arrives in 2 to 4 weeks; the full version with all sources and alerts in 4 to 8 weeks.
Which sources can be connected? Accounting, CRM, e-commerce, invoicing tools, spreadsheets, sometimes an ERP. Anything exposing an API or a structured export can be integrated.
What is the ROI of a dashboard? It comes from faster, better-informed decisions: margin trade-offs, early detection of a risky customer, cash management. The consolidation time saved (often 1 to 3 days/month) is a bonus.
Do we need an in-house data analyst? No for a well-configured tool: views and alerts ship ready to use. An internal point person is enough to adjust filters.
Let's scope your project. Share your data sources, your top 5 KPIs and your budget (12 to 35k EUR HT) and we'll tell you packaged or custom. 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.
