The verdict in three sentences
Linking a custom web app to your SAP ERP costs between 8,000 and 25,000 EUR in 2026, depending on whether you use a native API, a middleware layer or plain file exports. The real-time API is the most reliable but also the priciest; batch export/import stays 40-60% cheaper but introduces a lag. The line item to anticipate is not the initial build, it is the ongoing integration maintenance when SAP or your app changes.
Three ways to connect SAP: what it really costs
The architecture choice drives 80% of the budget. A CIO who wants to kill re-keying between a sales app and SAP has different constraints than a team syncing a catalog once a night. Here are 2026 ranges for the Berlin market.
| Approach | Initial cost (EUR) | Timeline | Reliability | Maintenance/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File export/import (CSV/batch) | 8,000 - 12,000 | 4-6 wks | Medium | 1,500 - 3,000 |
| Middleware (iPaaS like Make/Boomi) | 12,000 - 18,000 | 6-9 wks | Good | 3,000 - 6,000 + sub |
| Native real-time API | 18,000 - 25,000 | 8-12 wks | Excellent | 4,000 - 8,000 |
Middleware appeals to mid-market firms because it outsources the connection logic, but it adds a monthly subscription (often 200 to 800 EUR/mo) and a third-party dependency. The native API remains the pick for teams that want end-to-end control of their data flow.
API vs files: the technical match
Beyond price, the core question is the sync mode. SAP exposes APIs (OData, BAPI, RFC), but not every edition is equal; some only offer scheduled exports or an ODBC connector.
| Criterion | Real-time API | Batch export/import |
|---|---|---|
| Data freshness | Instant | 1-24 h lag |
| Volume supported | High | Very high |
| Error handling | Fine, per transaction | Global, per batch |
| Infra cost/yr | 2,000 - 4,000 EUR | 500 - 1,500 EUR |
| Failure sensitivity | High (retries needed) | Low |
| Dev complexity | High | Medium |
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Mini case study
Andreas, CIO of a trading SME in Berlin (45 staff) lost 12 hrs/week re-keying orders between his web order-entry app and SAP. We scoped a native API integration at 21,000 EUR, 10-week timeline. Value of the re-keying avoided: 12 hrs x 45 weeks x 30 EUR = 16,200 EUR/yr, plus the elimination of entry errors (credit notes, disputes). Payback in 16 months, annual maintenance included at 6,000 EUR.
FAQ
Can any SAP version be integrated? Not identically. Modern editions expose OData APIs, but older systems often force a middleware or ODBC exports, adding 2-4 weeks and 3,000 to 5,000 EUR.
Real-time or batch: which should I pick? If your stock or prices change several times a day, real-time is justified. For a daily accounting sync, a nightly batch at 8,000-12,000 EUR is plenty and cheaper to maintain.
How much is maintenance after go-live? Budget 4,000 to 8,000 EUR/yr for a native API, because each SAP or app update can break the field mapping. It is the most underestimated line item.
Do I need a paid middleware like Boomi? Not always. For 2-3 simple flows, a custom connector is cheaper over 3 years than an iPaaS subscription at 500 EUR/mo. Past 5 flows, iPaaS pays off.
What is a realistic timeline for a reliable connector? Between 6 and 12 weeks: 2 weeks of scoping and mapping, 4-8 of development, then 2 weeks of testing and acceptance with your real data.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your SAP edition, your flows (orders, stock, accounting) and the daily volume: we quote the most cost-effective architecture, from 8,000 to 25,000 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.
