The verdict in three sentences
Migrating a legacy system (Access, Excel, aging ERP) to custom site-management software is not just a coding job: it's a data-migration and change-management project. For a construction firm, the budget splits into build (380,000-650,000 MAD) and migration (60,000-110,000 MAD). With a controlled parallel run, ROI lands near 22 months.
The migration budget in MAD
Total cost isn't limited to development. Data migration and the parallel run (running old and new systems side by side) often weigh 20-30% of the project.
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| Custom software build | 380,000-650,000 MAD |
| Data migration | 60,000-110,000 MAD |
| Parallel run | 40,000-80,000 MAD |
| Developer day rate | 3,200-4,500 MAD |
| Delivery timeline | 18-26 weeks |
| Site-team training | 25,000-50,000 MAD |
| Annual maintenance | 12-18% of build |
Data migration is the most underestimated item: cleaning and remapping years of sites recorded in Excel takes time and serious business validation.
The expected operational gains
Modern site management saves time on manual tasks: crew time tracking, quantity surveys, consumption reporting.
| Indicator | Before (legacy) | After (custom) |
|---|---|---|
| Crew time tracking | manual, paper | real-time mobile |
| Weekly admin time | ~20 h | ~8 h |
| Weekly saving | — | 12 h/week |
| Quantity errors | frequent | traced and validated |
| Billing delay | 3-4 weeks | 1 week |
| Estimated ROI | — | ~22 months |
The 12 hours/week saved on time tracking and quantities translate directly into faster billing and improved cash flow.
Mini case study
Karim, IT director of a construction firm running 8 simultaneous sites, budgets a migration at 520,000 MAD of build plus 85,000 MAD of data migration, i.e. 605,000 MAD. He adds 60,000 MAD of parallel run over two months. The new software saves his admin lead 12 hours/week and speeds up billing. By cutting the billing delay from 3 weeks to 1 week on a monthly volume of 2.5M MAD, he improves working capital by about 1.25M MAD of freed cash. Combined with time saved, full ROI is reached around 22 months.
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FAQ
Do we really need a parallel run?
Yes, on a critical project. Running old and new systems side by side for one to two months prevents data loss and secures the switch. Budget 40,000-80,000 MAD for this phase.
How much is data migration?
Between 60,000 and 110,000 MAD depending on volume and source quality. Heterogeneous Excel data costs more to clean than exports from a structured ERP.
How long does migration take?
Expect 18-26 weeks for a full project including development, migration and parallel run. Ongoing sites continue on the old system until switchover.
Can we keep the old software as backup?
Yes, it's recommended to keep the legacy read-only for a few months after switchover, long enough to confirm all historical data is accessible in the new system.
Will site staff adopt the mobile tool?
With a simple interface and 25,000-50,000 MAD of training, adoption of mobile time tracking is generally quick because it removes duplicate paper entry.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your current software, site volume and data to migrate, and we price build, migration and parallel run in MAD. 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.
