The verdict in three sentences
A generic site-management app bills per user for features designed for other markets — with no reliable offline mode and no fine material tracking. A custom build between 7,000,000 and 14,000,000 FCFA gives you site reports that work without a network, geolocated time tracking, and material tracking tied to budget. The return is immediate: 10-18% of material losses avoided, often the first margin leak on a site.
Generic app vs custom: the comparison
On a site, the real question isn't license price but offline reliability and material-tracking accuracy.
| Item | Generic app | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | 300,000-1,000,000 FCFA | 7,000,000-14,000,000 FCFA |
| Monthly cost | 25-50 EUR/mo/user (16,000-33,000 FCFA) | Hosting 120,000-300,000 FCFA/mo |
| 15 users / year | 2,900,000-5,900,000 FCFA | 1,440,000-3,600,000 FCFA |
| Offline reports | Rare | Native |
| Fine material tracking | Basic | Custom |
| Team geolocation | Vendor-dependent | Native |
| Maintenance / year | Included | 800,000-1,600,000 FCFA |
From year 2, custom becomes cheaper and covers material tracking the generic app never will.
Field features: offline, time tracking, materials
A site is rarely well covered by 3G: the tool must work offline and sync as soon as the network returns.
| Module | Key function | Site impact |
|---|---|---|
| Offline site report | Photos, progress, incidents | Traceability without network |
| Labor time tracking | Geolocation, hours | Fair payroll, less fraud |
| Material tracking | In/out, thresholds | 10-18% losses avoided |
| Team scheduling | Assignment, availability | Less idle time |
| Geotagged photos | Progress evidence | Fewer disputes |
| Dashboard | Costs, progress, alerts | Fast decisions |
Material tracking is the ROI core: cement, steel, and fuel are the top source of untracked loss on a site.
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Mini case study
Mr. Traoré runs a construction firm: 15 team leads, 4 active sites at once. Before the project, material consumption is tracked in a notebook, with losses estimated at ~12% (theft, waste, errors). After a custom build at 10,000,000 FCFA (hosting 180,000 FCFA/mo, maintenance 1,200,000 FCFA/yr), losses fall to ~4%. On an annual material budget of ~90,000,000 FCFA, saving 8 points means ~7,200,000 FCFA/year. Add geolocated time tracking that firms up payroll, and the project pays back in under 18 months.
FAQ
Why is offline mode essential? A site is often outside 3G coverage. Without offline mode, team leads re-key at night, with losses and errors. A custom build records locally and auto-syncs when the network returns.
How does material tracking cut losses? By tracing every in and out per site, with alert thresholds and budget reconciliation. This exposes gaps (theft, waste) and cuts losses by 10-18%.
What's the delivery timeline? Plan 10 to 14 weeks: scoping 2 weeks, development 6-9 weeks, field training and cutover 2-3 weeks.
Is geolocated time tracking reliable without a network? Yes. Position is captured locally and timestamped, then synced. This firms up payroll and cuts phantom hours, a frequent fraud line.
What maintenance budget? Plan 800,000 to 1,600,000 FCFA/year for a 10,000,000 FCFA project, covering fixes, changes, and security.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of sites, teams, and material budget: we'll price software from 7,000,000 to 14,000,000 FCFA built for the offline field. 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.
