The verdict in three sentences
A carpenter or cabinetmaker noting custom orders on a scrap of paper gets measurements wrong, forgets deposits and misses deadlines the moment three clients order at once. A workshop app with order sheets, photos, precise measurements, mobile money deposits and a production schedule structures every order from A to Z. Measured effect: 9 deadlines hit out of 10 and measurement errors cut by 70 %.
What the app manages
A custom order means dozens of details: wood species, dimensions to the millimetre, finish, deadline, deposit. The app gathers everything into a single sheet, visible to the workshop and tracked by the client.
| Module | Concrete benefit | Order of magnitude (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Custom order sheet | All info in one place | 0 lost orders |
| Photos + precise measurements | Dimensions and model approved | Measurement errors -70 % |
| Mobile money deposit | 40 to 50 % collected at order | Cash flow secured |
| Production schedule | Workshop load visible | Deadlines met 9 times in 10 |
| Client tracking | Shared progress status | Chase calls -60 % |
| Balance on delivery | Traced final payment | 0 unpaid on delivery |
The production schedule is the crux: seeing the workshop's load stops you promising a cabinet in 10 days when the queue needs 25.
What the app costs
| Package | Scope | Indicative 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Order sheets, photos, measurements | NGN 1,300,000 |
| Growth | Mobile money deposit, schedule, client tracking | NGN 2,800,000 |
| Premium | Multi-workshop, wood stock, accounting exports | NGN 4,900,000 |
| Maintenance | Hosting, updates, support | NGN 65,000 to 150,000/month |
A single piece remade because of a wrong measurement can cost NGN 200,000 to 500,000 in wood and labour; the tool pays for itself fast.
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Mini case study
Emeka runs a carpentry workshop in Lagos with 6 workers and about 15 custom orders a month, for an average turnover of NGN 5,800,000. Before the app, 2 orders a month were remade for measurement errors (roughly NGN 600,000 lost) and deposits came in late. After the Growth package (NGN 2,800,000): photographed, approved measurements eliminate almost all errors, the 45 % mobile money deposit secures cash flow at order time, and the schedule holds deadlines. He saves about NGN 500,000 a month; the tool is recouped in under 6 months.
FAQ
How are measurements captured? The carpenter photographs the model and enters the dimensions in the sheet; the client approves over WhatsApp, cutting measurement errors by 70 % and avoiding misunderstandings.
Can the client pay the deposit remotely? Yes, they receive a MoMo or card link and pay 40 to 50 % at order; the balance is collected on delivery, also via mobile money.
Does the schedule account for real load? Yes, the production schedule shows orders in progress and their deadlines; the workshop stops promising the impossible and hits deadlines 9 times in 10.
Can I track wood stock? The Premium package (NGN 4,900,000) adds wood and hardware stock tracking, with restock alerts and accounting exports.
How long to deploy? A Starter package is ready in 3 to 4 weeks; a Growth package with mobile money deposits and scheduling in 5 to 7 weeks.
Let's talk about your project. We build your workshop app with custom order sheets, photographed measurements, mobile money deposits and a production schedule. 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.
