The verdict in three sentences
An internal business web app — to replace Excel spreadsheets that have become critical and fragile — costs EUR 20,000 to 60,000 in 2026, delivered in 10 to 20 weeks by module (stock, scheduling, reporting). It removes 5 to 15 hrs/week of re-keying and cuts errors by 60 %. For a team of 10 to 30 people, it pays back in 10 to 20 months.
What an internal app costs in 2026
Price follows module count and business-rule complexity. Here are the 2026 ranges.
| Scope | Modules | Price EUR | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single module | 1 domain (e.g. stock or scheduling) | 20,000 – 30,000 | 10 – 12 wks |
| Two modules | 2 domains + reporting | 30,000 – 42,000 | 12 – 16 wks |
| Multi-module | 3-4 domains + roles + exports | 42,000 – 60,000 | 16 – 20 wks |
| Platform | + connectors (accounting, ERP), mobile | 60,000 – 90,000 | 20 – 30 wks |
Maintenance (15 to 20 %/year) covers hosting, backups, fixes and evolutions. A connector to existing software (Sage, Cegid, EBP) costs EUR 3,000 to 9,000.
What Excel spreadsheets really cost
Excel looks free, but its hidden cost is high: re-keying, errors, multiple versions, key-person dependency. Here is the typical impact in a 20-person SME.
| Hidden cost | Estimated annual cost |
|---|---|
| Manual re-keying (8 hrs/wk × EUR 40) | ~EUR 16,600 |
| Error correction (2 hrs/wk × EUR 40) | ~EUR 4,160 |
| Duplicate files / version conflicts | ~EUR 3,000 |
| Dependency on the "person who knows" | high risk |
| No audit trail | compliance risk |
That's ~EUR 24,000/year of hidden cost — before counting the risk of a major error (wrong price, wrong stock) that can cost far more.
Mini case study
Sophie, operations director of a 22-person services SME in Paris, runs scheduling and stock on 6 shared Excel files. Two staff each spend ~4 hrs/week consolidating and fixing: 8 hrs/week, ~EUR 16,600/year, plus recurring stock errors.
She invests EUR 36,000 in a two-module app (scheduling + stock + reporting), delivered in 15 weeks. Re-keying drops to ~1.5 hrs/week, stock errors fall by 60 %. Direct gain ~EUR 14,000/year in time + ~EUR 5,000 in avoided errors = EUR 19,000/year → paid back in ~19 months, plus an audit trail and the end of key-person dependency.
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FAQ
Why not stay on Excel or Google Sheets?
As long as the file stays simple and single-user, it's fine. Once it becomes critical, multi-user and error-prone, its hidden cost (~EUR 24,000/year for 20 people) quickly exceeds that of a real app.
Can we recover our existing Excel data?
Yes. Data migration (cleanup + import) is scoped upfront and typically costs EUR 1,500 to 5,000 depending on volume and file quality.
Do we need a mobile version?
If teams enter data in the field (warehouse, site, route), yes. A responsive mobile interface is included; a true installable app (PWA) adds EUR 4,000 to 9,000.
How long until the team adopts it?
With good onboarding and a familiar UX, adoption takes 2 to 6 weeks. A pilot module on a small team speeds the switch.
Can we build module by module?
Yes, recommended: start with the highest hidden-cost module (often stock or scheduling) at EUR 20,000-30,000, measure the gain, then add the rest.
Let's scope your project. Send us your critical Excel files and your headcount, and we'll price a first module prioritized on your biggest re-keying cost. 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.
