The verdict in three sentences
In Amsterdam in 2026, a custom business platform that replaces Excel spreadsheets costs between 65,000 and 160,000 EUR depending on the number of modules, over 5 to 8 months. The real cost of Excel is invisible: entry errors, duplicates, hours lost consolidating and no way to scale. ROI shows up in hours saved per month and reliable decisions, not just features.
Why leave spreadsheets in 2026
Excel is perfect for prototyping, catastrophic for running an SME past 20 people. The switch pays off when several teams edit the same files and data becomes the basis for decisions.
| Criterion | Excel spreadsheets | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|
| Concurrent users | Frequent conflicts | Real-time, roles |
| Data reliability | Manual errors | Validation, history |
| Reporting | Manual, weekly | Real-time dashboards |
| Integrations (accounting, API) | Copy-paste | Automated |
| Cost at scale | Explodes | Linear |
| Security / GDPR | Weak | Roles, audit, logs |
Cost per module in 2026
A platform is built from bricks. You do not have to build everything at once: start with the 2-3 modules that bleed the most time.
| Module | Timeline | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation (auth, roles, design system) | 4-6 wks | 13,000-22,000 EUR |
| Light CRM (contacts, pipeline) | 3-5 wks | 11,000-19,000 EUR |
| Invoicing / quotes | 4-6 wks | 15,000-25,000 EUR |
| Planning / resource management | 3-5 wks | 11,000-19,000 EUR |
| Inventory management | 3-5 wks | 11,000-19,000 EUR |
| Reporting / dashboards | 3-4 wks | 10,000-17,000 EUR |
| API + third-party integrations | 2-4 wks | 9,000-16,000 EUR |
Budget 1,600-4,200 EUR/month of maintenance after delivery for upkeep, enhancements and user support.
Mini case study
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Sophie, MD of a trading SME in Amsterdam (35 staff), runs the business on 14 Excel files. Two employees each spend 1 h/day consolidating and fixing — 44 h/month at a loaded cost of 34 EUR/h = 1,496 EUR/month lost, not counting invoicing errors.
She invests 96,000 EUR in a platform (foundation + CRM + invoicing + reporting) delivered in 6 months, with 2,300 EUR/month maintenance. The direct time saved (44 h) plus fewer credit notes and late payments save her about 3,300 EUR/month. Net of maintenance, the tool pays for itself in ~34 months and removes the operational risk of the "master file" living on one desk.
FAQ
What does a business platform cost in 2026? Plan 65,000-160,000 EUR depending on modules; a foundation + 3 modules often targets 85,000-105,000 EUR.
What is the delivery timeline? From 5 to 8 months for a multi-module platform; a first useful module can ship in 6-8 weeks.
What is the maintenance budget? Maintenance runs 1,600 to 4,200 EUR/month depending on module count and expected support level.
How do I calculate ROI? Add hours saved (x loaded cost) and errors avoided; many SMEs break even in 24 to 40 months.
Should I build everything at once? No: the best 2026 approach is modular, starting with the 2-3 processes that cost the most time.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your priority processes, indicative budget and timeline, and we'll price a modular platform with measurable ROI. 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.
