The verdict in three sentences
A custom logistics platform that drives routes, transport orders and billing costs, in 2026, between 60,000 and 180,000 EUR, delivered in 6 to 10 months by a team of 3 to 5 people. The return does not come from the software itself but from the reduction of empty-run kilometres (-20 to -30%) and the end of double data entry. The key is phasing: an MVP of routing plus tracking first, EDI and billing later.
The modules and their real cost
A transport platform is not a monolithic block: each module has its own cost and priority. Here are the 2026 ranges.
| Module | Function | Indicative cost (EUR) | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route planning | Optimisation, assignment | 18,000-40,000 | MVP |
| Transport orders | Creation, status tracking | 12,000-28,000 | MVP |
| Real-time tracking | Geoloc, customer ETA | 10,000-30,000 | V1 |
| Billing | Rates, invoices, credits | 12,000-32,000 | V1 |
| EDI / connectors | Shipper exchanges | 15,000-45,000 | V2 |
| Driver mobile app | Proof of delivery | 12,000-28,000 | V1 |
Adding every module gives the top of the range. A smart MVP start focuses on the first two.
MVP / V1 / V2 phasing: don't build it all at once
Phasing lets you go live early and fund the rest with the gains achieved.
| Phase | Scope | Timeline | Indicative budget (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVP | Planning + transport orders | 3-4 months | 35,000-60,000 |
| V1 | Tracking, driver app, billing | +3-4 months | 45,000-80,000 |
| V2 | EDI, connectors, analytics | +2-3 months | 30,000-55,000 |
| Run + support | Hosting, maintenance | recurring | 1,500-4,000 EUR/month |
The operational ROI, quantified
The cost is only justified by the savings. Here is a model for a 15-truck fleet.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
| Lever | Spreadsheet baseline | With platform | Estimated annual gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty-run km | 22% | 15% | 45,000-70,000 EUR |
| Planning time | 25 h/week | 10 h/week | 30,000 EUR |
| Billing errors | 3% of revenue | 0.5% | 20,000-40,000 EUR |
| Delivery disputes | high | -40% | 12,000-25,000 EUR |
Mini case study
Karim, operations director of a regional carrier in Singapore (18 vehicles), replaces his Excel binders with a 52,000 EUR MVP platform. By month 4, route optimisation cuts empty-run kilometres from 23% to 16%, an estimated fuel-and-labour saving of 58,000 EUR/year. The full project (MVP + V1) at 105,000 EUR pays back in under 22 months, not counting the end of billing disputes.
FAQ
Why not buy an off-the-shelf TMS? Standard TMS suit classic flows, but as soon as your business has specifics (chartering, multimodal, negotiated rates), custom avoids bending your process to the tool. The calculation is case by case, based on the 5-year licence cost.
How long until first production use? The MVP planning + transport orders goes live in 3 to 4 months. Your dispatchers work on it while the V1 modules are built in parallel.
Do drivers need a mobile app? Strongly recommended from V1: digital proof of delivery, real-time statuses and the end of phone calls. Budget 12,000 to 28,000 EUR depending on embedded functions.
How do you integrate EDI with shippers? EDI comes in V2 because it depends on each partner's formats. You start with connectors for the 2-3 highest-volume shippers, then extend. Budget 15,000 to 45,000 EUR by number of flows.
What annual maintenance budget should I plan? Between 15 and 20% of the development cost per year for support, hosting and enhancements, i.e. 1,500 to 4,000 EUR/month depending on platform size.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your fleet size, your priority modules and an indicative budget: we frame a logistics MVP deliverable in 3 to 4 months. 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.
