The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a custom BI dashboard costs between 15 000 and 50 000 CAD depending on the number of data sources and the complexity of the metrics. The monthly run (hosting, connectors, licences) ranges from 300 to 1 000 CAD/month. The real gain is not cosmetic: it is the end of manual Excel exports, real-time steering and a ~70 % cut in reporting time.
Off-the-shelf tool or custom build
The choice is between a platform (Power BI, Metabase, Looker) and a custom build. 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Approach | Build cost (CAD) | Monthly cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metabase (open source) | 8 000 - 18 000 | 150 - 400 | Getting started, tight budgets |
| Power BI / Looker | 13 000 - 34 000 | 300 - 800 | Advanced analysis, self-service |
| Fully custom dashboard | 25 000 - 50 000 | 400 - 1 000 | Proprietary KPIs, product integration |
An off-the-shelf tool deploys faster (3 to 6 weeks) but charges per-user licences that add up as the team grows. Custom costs more to build but has no per-seat licence: it pays off beyond 15-20 users or when metrics are too specific for a standard tool.
Where the budget goes: ETL, model and visualisation
The visible part (the charts) is only a share of the cost. Most of it sits in data preparation.
| Item | Share of budget | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Connectors & ETL | 35 - 45 % | Extraction from ERP, CRM, accounting, e-commerce |
| Data model | 20 - 30 % | Cleaning, joins, calculations, history |
| Visualisation & UX | 20 - 30 % | Screens, filters, drill-down, mobile |
| Security & permissions | 10 - 15 % | Role-based access, privacy, logging |
A project that underestimates ETL always drifts: wrong or late data destroys trust in the dashboard. This is the item to secure first.
Mini case study
Thomas, head of a 60-person distribution SME in Montreal, consolidates 4 Excel files every Monday (sales, stock, margin, cash) in 6 hours. He commissions a custom dashboard for 32 000 CAD with a 550 CAD/month run. Result: the 6 weekly hours drop to under 30 minutes of reading, i.e. ~280 hours/year freed, and above all reorder decisions made the same day instead of at D+7. Over a year, the time saving alone (valued at 55 CAD/h) covers nearly half the build; sharper commercial responsiveness does the rest.
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FAQ
Isn't Power BI enough and cheaper?
For standard analysis, yes, and it is often the right starting point. But per-user licences (around 15-25 CAD/month/person) and customisation limits push toward custom beyond 15-20 users or for very specific KPIs.
How long to deliver a first dashboard?
A first useful version arrives in 4 to 8 weeks depending on the number of sources. We always start with 3-4 key metrics before extending, to validate data early.
Can we connect several different software tools?
Yes, that is the point: ERP, CRM, accounting, e-commerce, spreadsheets. Each connector adds ETL cost, between 2 000 and 6 500 CAD depending on how accessible the source is.
Is the data real-time?
It depends on the need: refreshing hourly or several times a day is enough for 90 % of SMEs. True real-time (to the second) costs more and only helps specific operational cases.
Who maintains the dashboard afterwards?
A run plan of 300 to 1 000 CAD/month covers hosting, flow monitoring and small changes. Major new metrics are quoted separately.
Let's scope your project. Share your data sources (ERP, CRM, accounting) and the 4-5 metrics you want to steer; indicative budget 15 000 to 50 000 CAD, first version in 4 to 8 weeks. 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.
