The verdict in three sentences
Replacing monthly Excel exports with a connected BI dashboard linked to your ERP and CRM costs in 2026 between 8,000 and 25,000 EUR, delivered in 3 to 6 weeks. Market platforms (Metabase, Power BI, Looker Studio) range from 0 to 30 EUR per user per month depending on features. Real-time KPIs speed up decisions and expose lost margins invisible in a frozen spreadsheet.
How much does a BI dashboard cost in 2026?
Cost depends on the number of sources to connect, indicator complexity and the level of real-time required. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for an SME.
| Scope | Sources | 2026 cost (EUR) | Lead time | Licence/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple dashboard | 1-2 (Excel, 1 tool) | 8,000 - 12,000 | 3-4 wks | 0 - 10 /user |
| Standard dashboard | 3-4 (ERP+CRM+bank) | 12,000 - 18,000 | 4-5 wks | 10 - 20 /user |
| Advanced dashboard | 5+ heterogeneous | 18,000 - 25,000 | 5-6 wks | 20 - 30 /user |
| Annual maintenance | - | 2,000 - 5,000 /yr | ongoing | - |
A standard tool like Power BI or Metabase covers the essentials. Custom is justified for specific business indicators and hard-to-connect sources.
Which KPIs to track by business?
A good dashboard shows few indicators, but the right ones. Here are the most valuable KPIs to track in real time for an SME.
| KPI | Frequency | Decision impact | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margin per product/client | Daily | Very high | ERP |
| Forecast cash position | Daily | Very high | Bank + ERP |
| DSO (days sales outstanding) | Weekly | High | ERP + CRM |
| Sales conversion rate | Weekly | High | CRM |
| Team utilisation rate | Weekly | Medium | Project tool |
| Average order value | Monthly | Medium | E-commerce |
Mini case study
Julien, CFO of a 60-employee trading SME in Dublin, steers on Excel exports produced on the 10th of each month, 5 days behind reality. A dashboard at 15,000 EUR connects the ERP, CRM and bank with daily KPIs. By spotting a negative margin on 3 SKUs worth 4 % of revenue, the team fixes pricing and recovers around 42,000 EUR of annual margin. The tool pays back in under 5 months, excluding the reactivity gain on cash.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Power BI, Metabase or custom development?
For standard KPIs, Power BI (10-20 EUR/user/mo) or Metabase (free self-hosted) is enough. Custom is justified when indicators are specific or sources are closed and heterogeneous.
Do I need a data warehouse?
Not always. Under 5 sources and a few million rows, direct connection works. Beyond that, a light warehouse (BigQuery, PostgreSQL) makes reports reliable and fast.
Is the data real-time?
It depends on sources. We offer near real-time (refreshed every 15-60 min) for cash and sales, and daily for the rest, which covers 95 % of decisions.
How long to set up?
Budget 3 to 6 weeks depending on source count and indicator complexity. A first usable dashboard is often delivered by week 3.
Who updates the dashboard afterwards?
Once connectors are in place, updates are automatic. Maintenance covers indicator changes and source updates, at 2,000 to 5,000 EUR/year.
Let's scope your project. Share your sources (ERP, CRM, bank), your 5-10 key KPIs and an indicative budget, and we will design the right dashboard. 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.
