The verdict in three sentences
An API integration between an ERP (SAP, Sage) and your web tools costs in Berlin in 2026 between EUR 14,000 and EUR 45,000, depending on the number of connectors and data volume. A realistic timeline is 6 to 12 weeks, with a support retainer of EUR 350 to 800/month for monitoring, fixes and API evolutions. The real strategic choice isn't the price, it's the architecture: point-to-point is fast but fragile, middleware is pricier but durable.
Point-to-point, iPaaS or custom middleware
Linking two systems directly (point-to-point) is cheapest, but every new flow adds complexity. An iPaaS (Make, Workato) speeds things up but bills by usage. Custom middleware centralises the logic and becomes a reusable asset.
| Approach | Initial cost 2026 (EUR) | Recurring cost | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native ERP connector | 3,500 - 11,000 | 0 - 220 EUR/mo | Standard need, few fields |
| iPaaS (Make, Workato) | 7,000 - 20,000 | 350 - 1,300 EUR/mo | Time-to-market, simple flows |
| Custom point-to-point | 9,000 - 24,000 | 350 - 550 EUR/mo | 1 to 2 critical flows |
| Custom middleware | 22,000 - 45,000 | 550 - 800 EUR/mo | 3+ systems, high volume |
What drives the budget
Price depends mostly on the number of connectors, the quality of the data to sync and real-time constraints. A nightly batch flow costs far less than bidirectional real-time sync with conflict handling.
| Factor | Budget impact | Detail 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of connectors | +EUR 3,500 to 9,000 / connector | ERP, CRM, e-commerce, BI |
| Sync direction | +30 to 60 % | Bidirectional vs one-way |
| Real-time vs batch | +40 % | Webhooks vs nightly cron |
| Data cleaning | +EUR 2,500 to 7,000 | Deduplication, mapping |
| Monitoring + alerts | 120 - 280 EUR/mo | Included in retainer |
Mini case study
Claire, CFO of an industrial SME in Berlin, wants to connect her Sage ERP to her customer order site and her BI tool. She picks a custom middleware at EUR 31,000 delivered in 9 weeks, with a EUR 600/month retainer. Previously two people re-keyed orders 15 h/week each; the integration removes 30 weekly hours, roughly EUR 4,200/month of redeployed workload. Payback is reached in a little over 8 months.
FAQ
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Do I always need middleware?
No. For 1 or 2 stable flows, a point-to-point connector at EUR 9,000-24,000 is enough. Middleware makes sense from 3 systems or high volume, when point-to-point maintenance becomes unmanageable.
How much is annual maintenance?
Expect a retainer of EUR 350 to 800/month, i.e. EUR 4,200 to 9,600/year. It covers monitoring, ERP API updates and fixing sync incidents.
Does SAP vs Sage change the price?
SAP often requires certified connectors and heavier governance, pushing the budget toward the top of the range. Sage offers more accessible APIs for SMEs.
How long to go live?
From 6 to 12 weeks depending on the number of flows and ERP access availability. The main cause of delay is getting credentials and test environments from the client.
Is real-time essential?
Rarely. A nightly batch sync is enough for accounting or reporting, and costs 40 % less than a real-time flow with webhooks and conflict handling.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the systems to connect (ERP, CRM, e-commerce), the flow direction and your data volume, and we'll price the most durable architecture. 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.
