The verdict in three sentences
A point-to-point connector between an ERP (Sage, Cegid) and a CRM costs 6,000 to 14,000 EUR in 2026; a middleware / iPaaS approach rises to 12,000-30,000 EUR with a subscription of 150 to 600 EUR/month but becomes essential once you connect three or more tools. The choice mainly depends on the sync frequency you need: nightly batch is enough for accounting, real time is required for stock and orders. Budget a 4 to 8 week timeline and 15 %/yr maintenance.
Point-to-point, iPaaS or custom: the right choice
Three architectures exist, from native connector to full development. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for linking an ERP and a CRM in an industrial SMB.
| Solution | Initial cost | Recurring | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor native connector | 2,000 - 6,000 EUR | 50 - 200 EUR/mo | Standard case, 2 tools |
| Custom point-to-point | 6,000 - 14,000 EUR | 15 %/yr | Specific needs, 2 tools |
| Middleware / iPaaS | 12,000 - 30,000 EUR | 150 - 600 EUR/mo | 3+ tools, scalable |
An integrator's day rate ranges from 600 to 780 EUR in 2026. A native connector, where it exists, is the cheapest but rarely bends to specific business rules (custom fields, workflows). Custom point-to-point is the best compromise for two tools with precise needs.
Real time or nightly batch: impact on cost
Sync frequency changes both price and complexity. Batch (one nightly pass) is simple and robust; real time requires webhooks, a queue and advanced error handling.
| Criterion | Nightly batch | Real time |
|---|---|---|
| Development surcharge | baseline | +30 to +60 % |
| Data freshness | 24 h | < 1 min |
| Robustness | high | to monitor |
| Use case | accounting, reporting | stock, orders, availability |
| Maintenance | low | medium |
Rule of thumb: sync in real time only what requires it (stock, availability), and leave the rest to nightly batch. You avoid 30 to 60 % of unnecessary surcharge.
Mini case study
Karim runs a 60-employee industrial SMB. His Cegid ERP and CRM share nothing: sales reps re-enter orders, with 5 % errors. Kolonell proposes a custom point-to-point connector at 11,000 EUR, syncing customers and products by nightly batch and orders in real time. Maintenance 15 %/yr, i.e. 1,650 EUR. Timeline: 6 weeks. Result: no more double entry (12 h/week saved on the sales team), errors below 1 %. At an hourly cost of 45 EUR, 12 h/week frees roughly 28,000 EUR/year of time — payback in under 6 months.
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FAQ
Native or custom connector: which to choose?
If your vendor offers a native connector covering your needs (2,000-6,000 EUR), start there. As soon as specific business rules appear, custom point-to-point (6,000-14,000 EUR) becomes more reliable.
When do I need an iPaaS middleware?
As soon as three tools must connect or scalability matters. Budget 12,000-30,000 EUR plus 150 to 600 EUR/month, but you gain maintainability and the ability to add new flows quickly.
Should I sync in real time?
Only what requires it: stock, availability, orders. Real time adds 30 to 60 % cost; accounting and reporting are fine on a nightly batch.
How much does connector maintenance cost?
Roughly 15 %/yr of build cost for custom work, or the iPaaS subscription of 150 to 600 EUR/month. Essential: an ERP-side API update breaks an unmaintained connector.
What timeline should I expect?
From 4 to 8 weeks depending on complexity and the number of synced objects. A native connector deploys in days, a custom point-to-point in 4 to 6 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your ERP, your CRM and the data to sync (customers, products, orders); we recommend native, point-to-point or iPaaS with an indicative budget. 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.
