The verdict in three sentences
A decision dashboard is only worth it if it speeds up decisions: consolidating ERP, CRM and accounting into one view saves days at every management committee. In 2026, an off-the-shelf tool (Power BI, order of magnitude 10-25 EUR/user/month) is enough for standard reporting, while custom at 15,000-50,000 EUR is essential for proprietary business KPIs, real-time alerts and integrated mobile experience. The right choice depends on how specific your indicators are and how much independence you want.
Power BI vs custom: what really changes
An off-the-shelf tool excels at standard uses. Custom wins as soon as your indicators go beyond generic models or you want deep integration with your processes.
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf (Power BI) | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 2,000-8,000 EUR (setup) | 15,000-50,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 10-25 EUR/user/month | Hosting 50-150 EUR/month |
| Delivery timeline | 3-6 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
| Proprietary business KPIs | limited to models | fully free |
| Real-time alerts | basic | advanced (thresholds, escalation) |
| Mobile experience | generic app | custom integrated |
| Independence / ownership | vendor licence | code and data are yours |
Sources to connect and consolidated KPIs
A dashboard's value comes from the reliability of its sources. Here are a mid-market company's typical connections and priority KPIs (2026 estimate).
| Connected source | KPIs fed | Refresh frequency |
|---|---|---|
| ERP (production, stock) | margin, service rate, stock turnover | real-time / hourly |
| CRM (sales pipeline) | forecast, close rate, signed revenue | hourly |
| Accounting | cash, DSO, result | daily |
| Payroll / HR | wage bill, turnover | monthly |
| E-commerce / POS | average basket, conversion | real-time |
Mini case study
Stefan, CEO of a 220-person distribution mid-market company in Berlin, waits each month for a consolidated report that ties up 3 people for 4 days. That is around 96 hours per month, or 1,152 hours per year, valued at 45 EUR per loaded hour: 51,840 EUR/year of preparation time. He invests 38,000 EUR in a custom dashboard connected to the ERP, CRM and accounting, plus 120 EUR/month hosting. From year one, he cuts reporting time fivefold (estimated saving 40,000 EUR/year) and, above all, shortens decisions by several days — a responsiveness gain hard to quantify but decisive in his supplier negotiations.
FAQ
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How much does a custom BI dashboard cost in 2026?
Between 15,000 and 50,000 EUR depending on the number of connected sources, KPI complexity and alerting needs. A pilot scope can start around 12,000 EUR.
Isn't Power BI enough?
For standard reporting, yes. As soon as you have proprietary business indicators, complex real-time alerts or a need for deep integration, custom becomes more relevant.
Which sources can be connected?
ERP, CRM, accounting, payroll, e-commerce, POS: any system exposing an API or accessible database. Multi-source consolidation is the core value.
How fast is the dashboard operational?
Expect 6 to 12 weeks, scoping and source connection included. A first version with 3-4 KPIs can ship in 4-6 weeks.
Does the data stay with me?
With custom, the code and database are yours. You are not tied to a vendor licence or a per-user pricing model.
Let's scope your project. Share the sources to consolidate (ERP, CRM, accounting) and your management committee's 5 priority KPIs — we price a pilot first. 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.
