The verdict in three sentences
A packaged management suite (standard ERP) gets you running fast if your processes resemble the market's, but every customisation is costly and fragile across upgrades. A custom build fits your local, multi-site processes, at the price of a heavy upfront investment then maintenance. The tipping point comes down to one figure: if more than 40 % of your processes are non-standard, building becomes the rational choice.
Package vs custom: the two cost structures
The package bills recurring licences plus upfront customisation; custom front-loads the build. 2026 order of magnitude in New York (figures in FCFA for comparison):
| Item | Package (standard ERP) | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Licences | 3.5 to 9 M FCFA / year | — |
| Initial build | — | 26 to 55 M FCFA |
| Customisation | 30 to 60 % of licence cost | Included |
| Maintenance | 18 to 25 % of licences / year | 18 %/yr of build |
| Lead time | 3 to 6 months | 5 to 9 months |
| Local-process fit | 55 to 80 % | 95 to 100 % |
The package trap: customisation. Every deviation from standard is paid for, then paid again at each major upgrade.
The decisive criterion: share of non-standard processes
The decision is made on fit, not price. 2026 grid:
| Share of non-standard process | Recommendation | Break-even |
|---|---|---|
| < 20 % | Package, no hesitation | Immediate |
| 20 to 40 % | Package + targeted customisation | 2 to 3 years |
| 40 to 60 % | Build vs buy study mandatory | 3 to 4 years |
| > 60 % | Custom | 3 years |
A multi-site SME with atypical inter-branch flows often exceeds 40 % non-standard processes — hence the case for a dedicated build.
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Mini case study
Ms Reyes runs operations at a distribution SME in New York, spread over 4 sites. The evaluated package costs 6.5 M FCFA/year in licences plus 12 M FCFA of initial customisation (her inter-site flows are atypical), i.e. about 50 M FCFA over 4 years — before upgrade surcharges. Custom comes to 38 M FCFA for the build plus 18 % maintenance (6.8 M FCFA/year), i.e. ~55 M FCFA over 4 years, but covers 100 % of her processes and removes upgrade surcharges. With 55 % non-standard processes, Ms Reyes chooses the build.
FAQ
Isn't a package always cheaper? No: once customisation exceeds 40 to 60 % of licence cost, the gap with custom narrows sharply, and upgrades add hidden costs.
What does "non-standard process" mean? These are your ways of working that do not match the package's model: inter-site flows, specific pricing rules, bespoke approval circuits. The more there are, the more constraining the package becomes.
How much is maintenance in each case? A package costs 18 to 25 % of licences per year; custom, 18 % of the build per year. Over time, the two converge.
Does multi-site change things? Yes: consolidation, inter-branch transfers and per-site rights multiply edge cases, often pushing the non-standard share above the 40 % threshold.
What lead time should I expect? Budget 3 to 6 months for a customised package, 5 to 9 months for custom. The package wins at launch, custom on lasting fit.
Let's scope your project. Describe your sites, atypical flows and indicative budget, and we assess your non-standard process share and cost build vs buy. 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.
