The verdict in three sentences
A site manager loses hours re-keying reports in the evening and ends up with no proof in a dispute. A vertical construction solution (25-60 EUR per user/month) covers the standard; a custom build of 55,000 to 130,000 EUR pays off for offline mode, geotagged photos and a direct link to billing. The gain reads in reporting time saved and disputes avoided through traceability.
Vertical, ERP module or custom
The choice depends on your field: no-network zones, number of sites, need to connect to the ERP. 2026 orders of magnitude for a firm with 30 field users.
| Item | Vertical construction | Construction ERP module | Custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence/user/month | 25-60 EUR | Included in ERP | 0 + hosting |
| Annual cost, 30 users | 9,000-21,600 EUR | 0 (already paid) | 3,600-7,200 EUR |
| Offline mode | Partial | Rare | Native, robust |
| Geotagged photos | Standard | Limited | Custom |
| Billing connection | Via API | Native | Native |
| Report customisation | Low | Medium | Full |
| Initial development | 2,000-8,000 EUR | Config included | 55,000-130,000 EUR |
Over three years, the vertical for 30 users costs 27,000 to 65,000 EUR. A custom build pays off if you have sites in no-network zones and a specific reporting process that standard tools do not cover.
The ROI: reporting and disputes
The two quantifiable gains of mobile site tracking.
| Metric | Before | After custom |
|---|---|---|
| Reporting time/week | Baseline | -30% |
| Site-related disputes | Baseline | -15% |
| Reports fed in real time | 0% | 90-100% |
| Time-stamped photos per site | Random | Systematic |
| Progress-billing lead time | 15-30 days | 5-10 days |
For a construction firm earning 12M EUR/year, cutting by 15% disputes that cost on average 1.5% of revenue (180,000 EUR) frees 27,000 EUR/year, not counting reporting time.
Mini case study
Thomas, director of a 30-strong construction firm in Lille, faced 2 hours of reporting per site manager per week. Investment: a custom build at 82,000 EUR with offline mode, geotagged photos and a billing link. Gain: 0.6 hour saved per manager/week across 30 users = 18 hours/week = 864 hours/year at 40 EUR = 34,560 EUR/year, plus 27,000 EUR of disputes avoided. Total 61,560 EUR/year: paid back in 16 months.
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FAQ
Is offline mode really essential?
On sites in no-network zones, yes. Without it, the manager re-keys everything on return, which cancels the time gain. A robust offline mode with automatic sync is the first selection criterion in construction.
Do you need custom if you already have a construction ERP?
Not necessarily. If your ERP's site module handles offline and geotagged photos, configure it. Custom only pays off if your field process is specific and poorly covered by the standard module.
Do geotagged photos really cut disputes?
Yes. A time-stamped, geotagged photo is enforceable proof of progress, cutting execution disputes by about 15% and speeding up payment of progress billings.
How long to deploy?
Between 12 and 20 weeks for a custom build including the mobile app, offline mode and billing link. A vertical deploys in 4 to 8 weeks.
Can tracking connect to billing?
Yes. It is a key strength: progress billings fed from site flow straight into invoicing, cutting the lead time from 15-30 days to 5-10 days.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of field users, network constraints and needs (offline, photos, billing) for an indicative budget between 55,000 and 110,000 EUR. 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.
