The verdict in three sentences
Deciding from a monthly Excel report is steering by the rear-view mirror: the data lands at M+1, already stale. A unified decision dashboard — sales, margin, cash — fed automatically by your software, runs from 12,000 to 35,000 EUR in 2026 over 6 to 12 weeks. The real gain: decisions at D+1 instead of M+1, on data that is reliable and shared.
The sources to plug in
A good dashboard is only as good as its sources. The technical challenge isn't the chart, it's the consolidation of data scattered across tools that don't talk to each other. Typical connections:
- ERP: revenue, margin, inventory, orders.
- CRM: pipeline, conversion rate, sales forecasts.
- Accounting / bank: cash, receivables, DSO/DPO.
- Line-of-business sources: e-commerce, payroll, production sheets.
| Source | Key data | Refresh frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ERP | Revenue, margin, stock | Daily |
| CRM | Pipeline, forecasts | Daily |
| Accounting / bank | Cash, DSO | Daily |
| E-commerce | Sales, average basket | Hourly |
| Payroll / HR | Wage bill | Monthly |
| Production | OEE, volumes | Real time possible |
Standard BI tool vs custom application
Power BI or Metabase cover 80% of needs at a modest licence cost; a custom decision application wins when margin rules, per-subsidiary access rights or an executive-grade UX become strategic.
| Criterion | Standard BI (Power BI / Metabase) | Custom decision app |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | 12,000-20,000 EUR | 20,000-35,000 EUR |
| Licences | 10-20 EUR/user/month | None (hosting 80-200 EUR/month) |
| Complex calculation rules | Limited | Custom |
| Per-subsidiary / role rights | Standard | Fine-grained, custom |
| Executive experience | Generic | Built for decisions |
| Best when | Classic reporting | Multi-activity, complex margin |
Mini case study
Antoine, CEO of a 120-person multi-activity firm in New York, consolidates three Excel reports each month from the ERP, CRM and accounting — 3 person-days a month, available only on the 12th. A custom dashboard at 26,000 EUR delivers the same indicators at D+1, every day. Direct saving: 3 person-days × 12 months ≈ 36 days of controlling work, roughly ~14,000 EUR/year. But the real gain is decisional: spotting a margin drift in 24 h instead of 40 days is worth, on 18M EUR of revenue, far more than the project cost. Estimated payback: 12 to 18 months on time saved alone.
FAQ
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How much does a decision dashboard cost in 2026?
Between 12,000 and 35,000 EUR depending on the number of sources and calculation complexity. A well-scoped standard BI project starts around 12,000-18,000 EUR.
How long to set it up?
From 6 to 12 weeks: source connection, indicator modelling, view design, acceptance. A first sales dashboard can ship in 3-4 weeks.
Should we pick Power BI, Metabase or custom?
It depends on complexity. For classic reporting, a standard tool at 10-20 EUR/user/month is enough. Once margin rules, per-subsidiary rights or executive UX matter, custom becomes cost-effective.
How fresh is the data?
The standard is a daily refresh (often overnight). Hourly or real time is possible for e-commerce or production, with a small infrastructure premium.
Does our data stay hosted in-region?
Yes, regional hosting is available and recommended for compliance. Connections use secure APIs, without copying data outside your control perimeter.
Let's scope your project. List your sources (ERP, CRM, accounting) and the 5 indicators you want to steer, and we'll scope a decision dashboard, indicative budget 12,000-35,000 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.
