The verdict in three sentences
Automating a logistics SME's administrative processes is not a tech gadget, it is a cash-flow and productivity lever. With 28,000 EUR invested, the SME saved 95 hours per month, cut data-entry errors by 60% and shortened its DSO by 12 days. Return on investment was reached in under 10 months, with no additional hiring.
Context and investment
The SME, based near Bordeaux, handled 3,500 shipments a month with a 6-person admin team. Orders arrived by email, were re-keyed into the ERP, then invoiced manually. The result: delays, errors and late invoicing that weighed on cash flow.
| Item | Amount (excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and flow mapping | 3,500 EUR | Week 1 |
| Email / ERP / invoicing connectors | 9,000 EUR | Weeks 2-4 |
| OCR and data-entry automation | 7,500 EUR | Weeks 3-6 |
| Automated dunning and payment tracking | 5,000 EUR | Weeks 6-7 |
| Testing, training, go-live | 3,000 EUR | Week 8 |
| Total | 28,000 EUR | 8 weeks |
The project shipped in 8 weeks. No ERP migration: the automations plugged into the existing system via API and OCR.
Processes before / after
Measurement compared a typical month before and after, on key admin tasks.
| Process | Before (h/month) | After (h/month) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order entry | 42 | 8 | -34 h |
| Invoicing | 28 | 6 | -22 h |
| Customer dunning | 24 | 5 | -19 h |
| Payment reconciliation | 20 | 6 | -14 h |
| Reporting | 12 | 6 | -6 h |
| Total | 126 | 31 | -95 h |
The 95 hours freed each month were reassigned to customer service and dispute handling, with no new hires. The data-entry error rate fell from 5.2% to 2.1%, a 60% drop.
Mini case study
Sophie, CFO of the logistics SME near Bordeaux, values a loaded admin hour at 32 EUR. The 95 hours saved per month therefore represent 3,040 EUR / month, or 36,480 EUR / year. On top of that comes the cash-flow effect: a DSO cut by 12 days on monthly revenue of 1.2 million EUR frees roughly 480,000 EUR of one-off cash. Cost per recovered hour in year one: 28,000 / (95 x 12) = 24.6 EUR, below the hourly cost. ROI on hour savings alone: 36,480 / 28,000 in just over 9 months.
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FAQ
How much does an automation project cost for a logistics SME in 2026?
Ballpark: 15,000 to 45,000 EUR depending on the number of processes, ERP connectors and the volume of documents to OCR. The project described here is 28,000 EUR for five processes.
Do you need to change ERP?
No, in most cases. Here, the automations plugged into the existing ERP via API and OCR, with no risky migration or downtime.
How quickly does it pay off?
In this study, under 10 months on hour savings alone. As an estimate, an SME can target a ROI between 8 and 14 months, and the cash-flow effect of a reduced DSO often accelerates the return.
What happens to the people whose tasks are automated?
They are reassigned to higher value work: here, customer service and dispute management. The goal is to absorb growth without hiring, not to cut jobs.
How do you measure the gain accurately?
Map the hours per process before the project, then remeasure after 2 months of stabilization. Also track the error rate and DSO to capture the cash-flow effect.
Let's scope your project. Automation of logistics admin flows (orders, invoicing, dunning), indicative budget 20,000 to 40,000 EUR, delivery in 8 to 10 weeks with no ERP migration. 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.
