The verdict in three sentences
Syncing stock, prices and orders in real time between your e-commerce and ERP costs 12,000 to 20,000 EUR in 2026, including a two-way connector and monitoring. The main gain is the end of oversells (up to -80%) and reliable stock, plus ~20 hours/month of data entry saved. The choice between iPaaS (Make, n8n) and a custom connector depends on order volume and mapping complexity.
The budget for a reliable connector
Cost depends on the number of synced flows and the cleanliness of data on both sides.
| Item | Scope | 2026 cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Two-way connector | Stock, prices, orders, statuses | 6,000 - 14,000 |
| Catalogue mapping | Reference matching, variants, units | 3,000 - 5,000 |
| Discrepancy handling + monitoring | Alerts, retry queue, logs, dashboard | 3,000 - 5,000 |
| Testing + cutover | Tests, data migration, go-live | 2,000 - 4,000 |
| Maintenance (per year) | API upkeep, changes, support | 3,600 - 7,200 |
A typical project lands between 12,000 and 20,000 EUR to set up, plus an essential annual maintenance since ERP and e-commerce APIs keep evolving.
iPaaS vs custom connector
The approach is structural. iPaaS is fast and cheap at low volume; custom becomes worthwhile above a certain traffic level.
| Criterion | iPaaS (Make / n8n) | Custom connector |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 3,000 - 8,000 EUR | 10,000 - 20,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost | 30 - 300 EUR (volume) | Low hosting |
| Suited volume | < 300 orders/day | Practically unlimited |
| Complex mappings | Limited | Full control |
| Strict real time | Near real time | Real time |
| Maintenance | Simple, visual | Requires a dev |
Below ~200-300 orders/day, iPaaS is often enough. Above that, or with complex business rules (batches, expiry, multiple price lists), custom avoids variable costs that spiral.
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Mini case study
Karim, e-commerce manager at a spare-parts distributor in Lyon, manages 14,000 references across his store and ERP. Before: stock synced manually once a day, causing ~40 oversells/month (cancellations, unhappy customers) and 22 hours/month of entry. He invests 16,000 EUR in a two-way connector with discrepancy monitoring. Result: oversells cut to ~7/month (-82%), 20 hours/month freed (~2,400 EUR of payroll) and reliable displayed stock that reduces support tickets. Estimated ROI in 10-12 months, not counting regained customer trust.
FAQ
iPaaS or custom to start? If you do fewer than 200-300 orders/day with simple mapping, iPaaS (Make/n8n) at 3,000-8,000 EUR offers the best cost/timing ratio. Above that, custom becomes cheaper.
Why is discrepancy monitoring essential? Because a sync always fails at some point (API down, missing reference). A retry queue and alerts prevent a silent gap from causing oversells for days.
How long to set up? Expect 6 to 12 weeks depending on data quality and number of flows. Catalogue mapping is often the longest step.
Is real time really necessary? For stock on fast-moving products, yes: it is the anti-oversell guarantee. For prices, a sync every few minutes is often enough.
Do I need maintenance? Yes, essential: ERP and e-commerce APIs change several times a year. Budget 3,600-7,200 EUR/year to keep the connector reliable.
Let's scope your project. Specify your ERP, e-commerce platform, number of references and orders/day; we will decide iPaaS vs custom and quote between 3,000 and 20,000 EUR. 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.
