The verdict in three sentences
Replacing a patchwork of tools with a custom business platform costs between 70,000 and 180,000 EUR in 2026 for a Dublin mid-cap. The budget depends mainly on the number of modules, the level of integration (APIs to ERP, HR, production) and the chosen architecture. Expect 4 to 7 months of development, a team of 3 to 5 people and maintenance of 18,000 to 22,000 EUR/year to keep it running.
Budget per module and architecture
A business platform is never generic: it mirrors your processes. Here are 2026 references per major module (order of magnitude, VAT excluded).
| Module | 2026 range (EUR) | Complexity |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation + authentication + roles | 15,000 - 30,000 | Medium |
| Core business logic (cases, workflows) | 25,000 - 60,000 | High |
| Reporting + dashboards | 12,000 - 30,000 | Medium |
| Fine-grained roles / permissions | 8,000 - 18,000 | Medium |
| Integrations (ERP, HR, third-party APIs) | 15,000 - 45,000 | High |
| EU cloud hosting (monthly) | 300 - 800 /mo | ongoing |
| Annual maintenance | 18,000 - 22,000 /yr | ongoing |
A focused scope (foundation + 1 business module + reporting) starts around 70,000-95,000 EUR. A full multi-module platform with integrations reaches 150,000-180,000 EUR.
Monolith or modular: the 2026 trade-off
| Criterion | Monolith | Modular + API |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | -10 to -15% | Baseline |
| v1 timeline | Shorter | Slightly longer |
| Scalability | Limited | High |
| Adding modules | Partial rebuild | Independent module |
| External integration | Hard | Native (API) |
| Recommended for | Stable scope | Growing mid-cap |
For a mid-cap planning to add modules (new subsidiary, new process) over 3-5 years, a modular architecture with APIs costs slightly more in v1 but avoids a 100,000 EUR rebuild two years later.
Mini case study
Claire, CFO of an industrial mid-cap in Dublin (140 staff), juggles 6 tools: a production Excel, a CRM, an HR system, two in-house apps and email. Re-keying and manual reconciliations cost about 25 hrs/week across 4 people. She invests 120,000 EUR in a modular platform (management, reporting, ERP integration) plus 12,000 EUR/year maintenance and 500 EUR/month hosting. Estimated gain: 20 hrs/week recovered, roughly 0.5 FTE; at a loaded cost of 45 EUR/hr, savings approach 45,000 EUR/year. Payback in about 2.5 years, before counting data reliability.
FAQ
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Why a custom platform rather than an off-the-shelf ERP?
An ERP imposes its processes; a custom platform mirrors yours when your business is atypical. Below 70,000 EUR of need, a configured ERP is often more cost-effective; above that, custom is justified.
What does maintenance at 18,000-22,000 EUR/year cover?
Fixes, security updates, version upgrades, small enhancements and monitoring. That is roughly 12-18% of development cost per year, a standard ratio in 2026.
How many people work on the project?
A typical team includes a project manager, 2-3 developers and a UX/UI designer, i.e. 3 to 5 people depending on phases, over 4 to 7 months.
Can it be delivered in batches?
Yes, that is best practice: a first module in production at 3-4 months, then increments. This funds the project through value as you go.
Who owns the code?
With Kolonell, the source code is yours and delivered to your repository. No hidden proprietary-license lock-in.
Let's scope your project. List your current tools, the processes to unify and your indicative budget, and we will propose a modular architecture and a batch plan. 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.
