The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, scoping a targeted generative AI POC costs 5,000 to 15,000 EUR, and putting a use case into production (support, content generation, document extraction) ranges from 20,000 to 50,000 EUR. The trap isn't price but scattering: successful SMEs pick one high-volume use case, measure it, then generalise. Confidential-data security is scoped at the POC stage, never afterwards.
Profitable use cases and their budgets
Not all use cases are equal. Winners combine high volume, a repetitive task, and tolerance for human supervision. Here are the most common in 2026.
| Use case | Main gain | POC | Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support assistant (RAG) | -30-50% tier-1 tickets | 8,000-15,000 EUR | 22,000-35,000 EUR |
| Content generation | 3x marketing volume | 5,000-10,000 EUR | 20,000-35,000 EUR |
| Document extraction | -70% manual entry | 6,000-12,000 EUR | 25,000-45,000 EUR |
| Case summary/analysis | Analysis hours saved | 5,000-10,000 EUR | 20,000-40,000 EUR |
| Internal writing aid | Team productivity | 5,000-8,000 EUR | 18,000-30,000 EUR |
These are 2026 orders of magnitude. Starting with a POC lets you measure real value before committing the production budget.
Build vs API: the usage cost
In 2026, the vast majority of SMEs call models via API rather than hosting their own: it's cheaper and faster. Self-hosting is only justified at very high volume or under extreme confidentiality constraints.
| Criterion | LLM API (recommended) | Self-hosted model |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up cost | Low | 30,000+ EUR (infra) |
| Usage cost | 0.3-3 EUR/1000 requests | GPU 500-3,000 EUR/mo |
| Setup time | Short | Long |
| Data control | Good (with a good contract) | Total |
| Best for | 95% of SMEs | Massive volume, secrecy |
The rule: API by default, self-hosting only if a volume calculation or regulatory requirement clearly demands it.
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Mini case study
Julie, operations director of a 40-person consulting firm in Bordeaux, wants to automate information extraction from client contracts. Kolonell first delivers an 11,000 EUR POC on 200 sample contracts, measuring 85% correct extraction. Production, at 32,000 EUR, handles 300 contracts/month: entry drops from 3 h to 45 min per batch, i.e. about 45 h/month saved. At 40 EUR/h, savings reach 1,800 EUR/month, API usage included (~150 EUR/month): ROI in about 18 months, with quality improving each iteration.
FAQ
Why start with a POC? Because it validates real value for 5,000-15,000 EUR before committing 20,000-50,000 EUR to production. A use case attractive on paper can disappoint at real volume.
How do you protect confidential data? We never expose confidential data without a framework: API contracts with no training on your data, anonymisation, and isolation. Highly sensitive cases can justify self-hosting.
What is the true usage cost? Budget 0.3 to 3 EUR per 1,000 requests depending on the model, plus application hosting. Caching sharply reduces this cost on repetitive requests.
How long to production? After a conclusive POC, putting a use case into production takes 6-12 weeks depending on integrations and the required level of guardrails.
Should I roll out AI across the whole company? No, not at once. Prove value on one high-volume case, measure, then replicate the method on other processes.
Let's scope your project. Describe the target use case, its monthly volume and your indicative budget (5-50,000 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.
