The verdict in three sentences
A custom integration linking CRM, invoicing and your Excel files costs FCFA 5M to 16M (EUR 7,620 to 24,400) for 5 to 9 weeks. It removes ~10 hours of re-keying per week and cuts invoicing disputes by ~30 %. For an IT lead, the business case holds in year one if your order volumes exceed a few hundred a month.
Build the business case, not just the quote
An integration project is justified by numbers, not by trend. Three measurable levers: re-keying hours removed, invoicing disputes avoided, and data reliability for steering. Here is how to quantify them.
| Lever | Before integration | After integration |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly re-keying | ~10 h/week | < 1 h/week |
| Invoicing disputes | Base 100 | ~70 (−30 %) |
| Order → invoice delay | 2 to 4 days | Near real time |
| Stock errors | Frequent | Rare (single source) |
| Steering visibility | Frozen Excel | Consolidated data |
These gains convert directly into FCFA: that is the basis of the case to present to management.
2026 budget for Berlin
Local day rate of FCFA 250,000 to 500,000. Scope depends on the number of systems to link and sync direction.
| Line item | 2026 range (FCFA) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Flow audit + mapping | 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 | Fields, duplicates, rules |
| Connector development | 3,000,000 – 10,000,000 | API, sync queues |
| Error handling + recovery | 800,000 – 2,500,000 | Robustness, replay |
| Testing + cutover | 700,000 – 2,000,000 | Real-data tests |
| Monthly maintenance | 300,000 – 800,000 / month | API monitoring, changes |
Entry budget: FCFA 5M (EUR 7,620) for 2 flows, FCFA 12M to 16M (EUR 18,300 to 24,400) for a full two-way integration with error recovery.
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Mini case study
Klaus is the IT lead of a 35-person distribution SME in Berlin. Two people re-key orders and invoices between the CRM and the accounting software: ~10 h/week at a loaded cost of FCFA 4,500/h, i.e. FCFA 45,000/week or ~FCFA 2.3M/year. Invoicing disputes cost ~FCFA 3M/year in credit notes and handling time. A 30 % dispute reduction (FCFA 0.9M) plus removed re-keying yields ~FCFA 3.2M saved/year. For an integration at FCFA 11M plus FCFA 500,000/month maintenance (FCFA 6M/year), the gross return isn't immediate on costs alone: the real gain comes from data reliability and accelerated cash flow (real-time invoicing), justifying the project within ~24 months.
FAQ
Do we have to replace our existing software? No. The goal is to make what you already have (CRM, invoicing, Excel) talk via connectors. We replace a tool only if it technically blocks any integration.
How do Excel files fit the equation? We integrate them via structured imports/exports or gradually replace them with a connected source. Manual Excel is often the top cause of errors to eliminate.
What is the main project risk? The quality of existing data (duplicates, inconsistent fields). The initial audit (FCFA 1M to 2.5M) measures it before development to avoid nasty surprises.
What does maintenance cost and why? FCFA 300,000 to 800,000/month to track third-party software API changes and adapt the connectors. Without maintenance, an update can break a critical flow.
Can the budget be phased? Yes. We start with the most painful flow (orders or invoices), measure, then extend. That secures the ROI and smooths the spend.
Let's scope your project. List your systems (CRM, invoicing, Excel), the number of flows and an indicative budget (FCFA 5M to 16M): we'll audit your flows and build the quantified business case. 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.
