The verdict in three sentences
An off-the-shelf ERP (Odoo, Sage) costs 20,000 to 60,000 EUR to implement, while a custom industrial ERP with MRP and scheduling ranges from 80,000 to 200,000 EUR, over a 6 to 10 month timeline. Custom is only justified if your production processes are differentiating and poorly served by standard modules. The right call is made on 5-year TCO and the degree of vendor lock-in, not on entry price alone.
Odoo/Sage or custom: the real comparison
A generic ERP covers 70 to 80% of an SME's needs. The question is the cost of the remaining 20 to 30%: business specifics, fine MRP, shop-floor scheduling, traceability. This is where custom stands out.
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf ERP (Odoo/Sage) | Custom ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation | 20,000 to 60,000 EUR | 80,000 to 200,000 EUR |
| Licenses/subscription | 30 to 60 EUR/user/month | No license, maintenance 15%/year |
| Deep customization | Costly, breaks updates | Native, no limit |
| MRP / scheduling | Standard module, rigid | Modeled on your routings |
| Vendor lock-in | High (roadmap imposed) | None (you own it) |
| Timeline | 3 to 6 months | 6 to 10 months |
For an SME with standard processes, Odoo or Sage remain the rational choice. As soon as production carries your competitive edge, custom avoids costly and fragile workarounds.
5-year TCO: the deciding calculation
Entry price is misleading. Over 5 years, subscriptions, customization surcharges and forced migrations weigh heavily. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a 40-user SME.
| 5-year item | Off-the-shelf ERP | Custom ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Initial implementation | 45,000 EUR | 140,000 EUR |
| Licenses/subscription (40 users) | 108,000 EUR | 0 EUR |
| Specific customizations | 60,000 EUR | included |
| Maintenance / enhancements | 30,000 EUR | 105,000 EUR |
| Major version migration | 25,000 EUR | 0 EUR |
| 5-year TCO | 268,000 EUR | 245,000 EUR |
At 40 users, custom becomes competitive on TCO while removing vendor lock-in. Below 15 users, off-the-shelf keeps the advantage.
Mini case study
Laurent, CFO of a 45-employee industrial SME in Lyon, hesitates between heavily customized Odoo and a custom ERP. Odoo shows 45,000 EUR implementation, but its manufacturing routings require 60,000 EUR of specific development, plus 2,200 EUR/month in licenses. Over 5 years, he projects 268,000 EUR. The custom ERP at 140,000 EUR, maintenance included, comes to 245,000 EUR over 5 years, with no licenses or imposed migration. He chooses custom for MRP and independence, saving 23,000 EUR and above all securing his roadmap.
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FAQ
When does custom become profitable?
Generally beyond 30 to 40 users, or as soon as your production processes are differentiating. Below 15 users with standard needs, Odoo or Sage remain more economical.
What are MRP and scheduling?
MRP (material requirements planning) plans manufacturing orders, material needs and capacity. Scheduling optimizes the shop-floor sequence. Poorly managed, they cause shortages and delivery delays.
Is custom risky to maintain?
No, if the code is properly documented and you own it. Maintenance represents about 15%/year of the initial cost and any competent provider can take over well-structured code.
How long to deploy a custom ERP?
Between 6 and 10 months depending on scope. You usually start with purchasing/stock and production, then add finance and BI in batches to limit risk.
Can we start with Odoo then migrate to custom?
Yes, it is a common trajectory: Odoo to start fast, then progressive replacement of critical modules with custom when volume and specifics justify it. The key is mastering your data.
Let's scope your project. Specify your headcount, your production processes and whether you start from scratch or an existing ERP: we compare Odoo/Sage and custom on a costed 5-year TCO. 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.
