The verdict in three sentences
Digitizing a mid-sized manufacturer with an internal operations platform costs in Dublin in 2026 between EUR 70,000 and EUR 160,000. It replaces scattered Excel spreadsheets with a single backbone (production, quality, inventory) and saves 15 to 25 hrs/week per team. Done well, with data migration and change management, it reaches ROI in 12 to 18 months.
What an internal platform costs and returns
The budget depends on the number of digitized processes and the level of integration with the existing ERP.
| Scope | Processes covered | Budget (EUR) | Estimated gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | 1-2 (e.g. inventory) | 70,000 - 95,000 | 8-12 hrs/wk |
| Standard | 3-4 (prod + quality) | 95,000 - 130,000 | 15-20 hrs/wk |
| Extended | 5+ + real-time reporting | 130,000 - 160,000 | 20-25 hrs/wk |
| + ERP integration | SAP/Sage/Oracle | +15,000 - 35,000 | Zero double entry |
The real gain isn't only time: it's the end of re-keying errors and a single, reliable dataset, the precondition of serious industrial control.
Data migration and change management
Two line items are underestimated in nine projects out of ten: migrating the Excel legacy and driving adoption. Here is their true weight.
| Line item | Share of budget | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Data migration | 8-12 % | Cleaning, mapping, Excel import |
| Team training | 5-8 % | Sessions, materials, champions |
| Post-live support | 5-10 % | Fixes, tweaks over 3 months |
| Documentation | 2-4 % | Procedures, user guides |
A perfect but unused platform is worthless. Assigning a business champion per department and running a pilot on one production line sharply cuts resistance to change.
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Mini case study
Claire, CFO of a 180-employee manufacturer in Dublin, replaces 11 Excel production-tracking sheets with a platform at EUR 125,000, Sage integration included.
Gain: 4 teams each save 18 hrs/week, i.e. 72 hrs/week in total. At a loaded cost of EUR 32/hr, that is ~EUR 2,304/week, about EUR 115,000/year. ROI is reached in ~13 months, excluding scrap reduction from better quality tracking.
FAQ
Why leave Excel when it's free? Excel isn't free once you count re-keying time, errors and lack of traceability. For 4 teams, 72 hrs/week lost is worth ~EUR 115,000/year.
Do we replace everything at once? No. Start with the most painful process (often inventory or quality), then extend module by module.
Is ERP integration mandatory? Not at launch, but it removes double entry and hardens control. Budget EUR 15,000-35,000 depending on the ERP.
How long to deliver? 5 to 8 months depending on scope, data migration and training included.
And maintenance? 15-20 % of the initial cost per year: evolutions, support, security. Essential for a production tool.
Let's scope your project. List your most painful Excel processes and your ERP; we'll price a platform (EUR 70,000-160,000) with data migration and an adoption 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.
