The verdict in three sentences
With 25 technicians, off-the-shelf field service software costs 12,000 to 27,000 EUR per year, indefinitely. A custom PWA at 25,000 to 60,000 EUR pays off between the second and third year, provided your processes are specific (maintenance contracts, manufacturer warranties, refrigerant logs). The real gain shows up in cash flow: a job sheet signed on a tablet lets you invoice on average 10 days sooner.
Off-the-shelf software or custom PWA: the numbers
A PWA (Progressive Web App) installs from the browser on Android or iPhone, without app stores, and works offline. For a maintenance company whose technicians work in basements, plant rooms or on rooftops, that last point matters.
| Criterion (2026 order of magnitude) | Off-the-shelf SaaS | Custom PWA |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 to 3,000 EUR setup | 25,000 to 60,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost for 25 technicians | 1,000 to 2,250 EUR per month | 150 to 400 EUR per month (hosting, maintenance) |
| 3-year cumulative cost | 36,000 to 84,000 EUR | 30,400 to 74,400 EUR |
| Offline mode | Partial, vendor dependent | Built for your real cases |
| Trade forms (refrigerants, F-Gas) | Generic or paid add-on | Exactly your fields |
| Accounting integration | Standard connectors | Into your ERP or invoicing tool |
| Time to go live | 2 to 6 weeks | 10 to 16 weeks |
| Data and code ownership | Vendor | You |
Off-the-shelf software remains the right call under 10 technicians or for very standard jobs. Above 20 technicians with complex maintenance contracts, custom wins.
What a field service PWA contains, and what each module costs
| Module | Function | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduling and dispatch | Drag and drop, geolocation, emergencies | 5,000 to 10,000 EUR |
| Digital job sheet | Parts, time, checklists per equipment type | 4,000 to 9,000 EUR |
| Offline mode and sync | Capture without signal, upload once back in coverage | 4,000 to 10,000 EUR |
| Customer signature and before/after photos | Proof of service, PDF sent to the customer | 2,500 to 5,000 EUR |
| Equipment history (QR code) | Scan the unit, see past faults | 3,000 to 7,000 EUR |
| Billing export | Push to accounting or quoting software | 3,000 to 8,000 EUR |
| Manager dashboard | Lead times, first-time fix rate, revenue per technician | 3,500 to 11,000 EUR |
A sensible V1 bundles the first four modules (about 25,000 to 30,000 EUR), then adds the rest in 4 to 6 week increments.
The cash flow gain: 10 fewer days to invoice
With paper job sheets, the usual cycle is: technician returns at the end of the week, office re-keys, checks, invoices. Expect 12 to 15 days between the job and the invoice. With a signed, synced job sheet, the invoice goes out in 2 to 4 days. On 2.4 million EUR of annual service revenue, collecting 10 days earlier frees about 66,000 EUR of cash (2.4M / 365 x 10).
Mini case study
Stephen runs a 25-technician HVAC maintenance company. The SaaS he trialled costs 65 EUR per technician per month: 19,500 EUR a year and 58,500 EUR over 3 years. He chooses a 42,000 EUR PWA plus 300 EUR per month maintenance: 52,800 EUR over 3 years. He also saves a half-time re-keying admin role, about 18,000 EUR per year. Over 3 years the gap in his favour approaches 60,000 EUR, not counting the 66,000 EUR of cash freed once.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
Does a PWA really work without signal?
Yes, forms, photos and signatures are stored on the device and synced as soon as the network returns. Budget 4,000 to 10,000 EUR for reliable sync with conflict handling.
Do I need to publish on the App Store and Google Play?
No, a PWA installs from the browser. You save Apple's 99 USD annual fee and review delays, at the cost of a few iPhone limits (notifications are more recent).
How long to roll out to 25 technicians?
Allow 10 to 16 weeks of development, then a 2 to 3 week pilot with 3 to 5 technicians before full rollout.
What hardware is needed?
A rugged Android phone costs 250 to 450 EUR; a 10 inch tablet 300 to 600 EUR. For 25 technicians, hardware runs around 7,500 to 12,000 EUR.
Is custom riskier than off-the-shelf?
Risk is managed with a short 4-module V1 and a pilot. Require source code ownership in the contract so you never depend on a single vendor.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of technicians, job types and invoicing tool: we will propose a V1 scope, an indicative budget in line with our price grid and a pilot plan. 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.
