The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, connecting an ERP (such as Sage) to the website of an Amsterdam SME costs 10,000 to 35,000 EUR depending on the number of flows and sync mode. A middleware/API syncs catalogue, stock, customer pricing and orders in real time or by batch, delivered in 4 to 8 weeks. The run cost is around 100 to 400 EUR/month and eliminates displayed stockouts and manual re-keying.
The flows to synchronise
an ERP-website connector isn't just the catalogue. Each flow has a direction (ERP to site or site to ERP) and a criticality.
| Flow | Direction | Criticality | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product sheets / catalogue | ERP to site | High | Daily |
| Stock levels | ERP to site | Very high | Real-time |
| Customer pricing (B2B) | ERP to site | High | Daily |
| Orders | Site to ERP | Very high | Real-time |
| Statuses / shipments | ERP to site | Medium | Daily |
| Customer records | Bidirectional | Medium | Daily |
Stock and orders are the two flows that justify the project on their own.
Real-time or batch synchronisation
The sync mode weighs heavily on cost and robustness. Real-time offers the best experience but demands a stronger architecture; batch is enough for low-volatility data.
| Criterion | Batch (scheduled) | Real-time (webhooks/API) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | 10,000 to 18,000 EUR | 22,000 to 35,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost (run) | 100 to 200 EUR/month | 200 to 400 EUR/month |
| Data freshness | 1 to 24 h | A few seconds |
| Oversell risk | Real on tight products | Near zero |
| Technical complexity | Medium | High |
| Timeline | 4 to 6 weeks | 6 to 8 weeks |
In practice: stock and orders real-time, catalogue and pricing daily batch, the best cost/robustness ratio.
The ROI on errors avoided
Displayed stockouts and re-keying cost lost sales, credit notes and time. Here is an order of magnitude.
| Loss item | Before connector | After connector | Estimated annual gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oversold orders | 15 to 25/month | ~0 | 8,000 to 15,000 EUR |
| Manual order re-keying | 8 h/week | ~0 | ~11,500 EUR |
| B2B pricing errors | 5 to 10/month | ~0 | 3,000 to 6,000 EUR |
| Stock-related support calls | 20/month | -70% | ~2,500 EUR |
Beyond the euros, customer trust rises: the site finally shows accurate data.
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Mini case study
Marc, e-commerce manager of a 35-employee distribution SME in Amsterdam, faced recurring oversells and 8 h/week re-keying orders into the ERP. Chosen project: real-time connector (stock + orders) and daily batch (catalogue + pricing), 24,000 EUR, delivered in 7 weeks, run at 300 EUR/month. Result: oversells down to zero, 8 h/week freed i.e. ~11,500 EUR/year, and stock-related support calls down 70%. Payback in ~11 months.
FAQ
Do we have to change our ERP version?
Not necessarily. The connector relies on the available ERP API or database; compatibility is checked during scoping.
Real-time or batch: which to choose?
Real-time for stock and orders (where overselling is costly), daily batch for catalogue and pricing. This mix optimises cost and robustness.
What happens if the ERP goes down?
The middleware queues operations and replays the flows when the ERP returns; no order is lost.
How much is maintenance?
Expect 100 to 400 EUR/month of run in 2026 depending on the sync mode, plus an evolution fee for new flows.
How long to deliver?
Between 4 and 8 weeks depending on the number of flows and the real-time or batch mode chosen.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your ERP version, the flows to sync and your order volume, for a quote between 10,000 and 35,000 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.
