The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, automating the administrative tasks of a Dublin SME costs 8,000 to 30,000 EUR depending on the number of processes and the share of custom development. The real gain isn't the software but the 10 to 25 hours a week handed back to your teams, roughly a part-time to full-time headcount. With a run cost of 100 to 500 EUR/month, the return on investment typically lands between 4 and 8 months.
Which processes to automate first
Not all tasks are equal. Prioritise the ones that are repetitive, high-volume and low value-add: they free the most hours for the least technical effort.
| Process | Hours/week saved | Complexity | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier invoice entry | 4 to 8 h | Low | Very high |
| Overdue customer dunning | 3 to 6 h | Low | Very high |
| Weekly consolidated reporting | 3 to 5 h | Medium | High |
| New customer onboarding | 2 to 4 h | Medium | High |
| CRM / accounting sync | 2 to 5 h | High | Medium |
| Payroll / expense prep | 2 to 4 h | High | Medium |
An SME of 15 to 40 people easily racks up 15 to 25 weekly hours on these lines alone.
No-code / iPaaS or custom development
The central question of the quote. No-code platforms (iPaaS with connectors) cover 70 to 80% of standard needs at lower cost; custom becomes relevant when business rules are specific or volumes are high.
| Criterion | No-code / iPaaS | Custom development |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | 8,000 to 15,000 EUR | 18,000 to 30,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost (run) | 150 to 500 EUR/month | 100 to 250 EUR/month |
| Delivery time | 4 to 6 weeks | 8 to 10 weeks |
| Complex business rules | Limited | Unlimited |
| Vendor lock-in | High | Low |
| Long-term scalability | Medium | High |
In practice, most SMEs start no-code on 2 to 3 processes, then move critical flows to custom.
The ROI in hours and euros
A loaded administrative hour costs on average 28 to 35 EUR in Western Europe in 2026. The math becomes clear.
| Hours saved/week | Annual saving (at 30 EUR/h) | Average project cost | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 h | 15,600 EUR | 12,000 EUR | ~7 months |
| 15 h | 23,400 EUR | 15,000 EUR | ~6 months |
| 20 h | 31,200 EUR | 20,000 EUR | ~6 months |
| 25 h | 39,000 EUR | 25,000 EUR | ~6 months |
Beyond hours, you cut entry errors and missed dunning, which improves cash flow.
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Mini case study
Julien, director of a 22-person trading SME in Dublin, was losing about 18 h/week across supplier entry, dunning and Monday reporting. Chosen project: iPaaS automation plus two custom connectors, 14,500 EUR, delivered in 6 weeks, run at 280 EUR/month. Result: 16 h/week freed, i.e. ~25,000 EUR/year saved. Payback reached in 7 months, average dunning delay cut from 12 to 4 days.
FAQ
How long before a concrete gain?
The first automated processes produce an effect from week 3 or 4 after go-live. Full ROI materialises in 4 to 8 months depending on the number of flows.
Do we have to replace our current software?
No, in most cases. Automation plugs into your existing tools (accounting, CRM, ERP) via API/connectors without replacing them.
Is no-code reliable for production?
Yes for standard flows and medium volumes. For specific business rules or high volumes, we secure things with custom code.
What monthly run budget should we plan?
Expect 100 to 500 EUR/month as a 2026 order of magnitude, depending on iPaaS licences, transaction volume and connector hosting.
Does our data stay confidential?
Yes: EU hosting, encryption, access logs and least-privilege are standard on this type of project.
Let's scope your project. Send us your 3 most time-consuming processes and the number of users involved, for a quote between 8,000 and 30,000 EUR depending on the custom share. 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.
