The verdict in three sentences
For a 5-agency network in Montreal, stacking 5 vertical licences at ~€14,000/year (~€70,000/year) freezes your data and blocks consolidated steering. A custom core at €40,000-72,000 unifies transactions and management, removes 40% of duplicate entry and wins 15-22% more listings through automated prospecting and AI matching. In 2026 a network's spec isn't just a CRM: it's a multi-branch steering platform.
5 vertical licences vs custom core: the 3-year cost
Vertical licences are paid yearly, per branch; a custom core amortises and belongs to you.
| Item (2026) | 5 vertical licences | Custom core |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront | €6,000-12,000 | €40,000-72,000 |
| Annual subscription | ~€70,000/year | €0 (hosting €1,400-2,800) |
| Automated prospecting | limited add-on | integrated |
| Multi-branch reporting | manual export | consolidated dashboard |
| Annual maintenance | included | 14%/year (€5,600-10,080) |
| 3-year total | ~€216,000-222,000 | €60,000-105,000 |
| Code ownership | no | yes |
Over 3 years, the custom core costs 2-3x less than stacked licences for a 5-agency network, while delivering unified steering.
The spec: features to define
A network should prioritise prospecting, matching and consolidated reporting. Here is the core to price.
| Feature | Vertical licences | Custom core | Estimated gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automated prospecting | limited | scraping + qualification | +15-22% listings won |
| AI buyer/property matching | basic scoring | multi-criteria model | -50% matching time |
| Multi-branch reporting | CSV export | real-time consolidation | 8-12 h/month saved |
| Duplicate entry removal | per branch | single source of truth | -40% re-keying |
| GDPR compliance | configurable | by design | reduced sanction risk |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Claire, director of a 5-agency network in Montreal, pays ~€70,000/year in vertical licences and watches agents waste time on duplicate entry and manual prospecting. With a custom core at €58,000, she drops the annual subscription (~€68,000/year net of hosting) and wins +18% more listings via automated prospecting: ~30 extra instructions/year at €6,500 fees = €195,000. In year one, before the listing gain, the licence savings alone already cover the build and the €8,100/year maintenance.
FAQ
Why a single core rather than 5 licences? Because licences block consolidation, multiply costs and freeze data. A single core gives a common source of truth, consolidated reporting and code ownership.
How does automated prospecting win more listings? It detects and qualifies private-seller ads continuously, prioritising hot leads. A 15-22% gain is realistic on a network that prospected manually.
Is AI matching reliable? Yes: a multi-criteria model (budget, area, size, qualitative criteria) cuts matching time ~50% and improves proposal relevance.
How long for the multi-branch core? Plan 12-20 weeks for transactions + prospecting + matching + consolidated reporting, depending on the number of branches and integrations.
What does 14%/year maintenance cover? Fixes, prospecting and portal updates, GDPR and security patches, support. On a €58,000 build that is ~€8,100/year.
Let's scope your project. Give us your branch count, current licences and reporting needs and we'll draft the spec and price a custom transaction core (€40,000-72,000 range) for Montreal. 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.
