The verdict in three sentences
In 2026 in Douala, replacing a critical Excel/Access tool with a web app costs 10 to 25 million FCFA over 8 to 16 weeks, plus 1.5 to 5 M FCFA for data migration and cleanup and 0.5 to 1.5 M FCFA for training. The immediate gains are simultaneous multi-user access, change history and security against file corruption. An Excel file shared by 10 people isn't a tool: it's an incident waiting to happen.
Why leave Excel/Access
Excel and Access are invaluable at the start, then become a risk as the business grows. The table below compares the daily reality of a shared file versus a web app.
| Concern | Shared Excel / Access | Dedicated web app |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-user | Conflicts, file locked | Simultaneous, real-time |
| Data integrity | Frequent corruption | Reliable database |
| History / traceability | Nearly none | Full audit log |
| Security / permissions | Bypassable password | Roles and permissions |
| Backup | Manual, forgotten | Automatic, cloud |
| Remote access | Hard, risky | Secure browser |
| Key-person dependency | High (VBA macros) | Documented |
The trigger is often an incident: a corrupted file wiping three days of entry, or two diverging versions impossible to reconcile.
The cost items of migration
Development is only part of the bill. Data migration and training make the difference between a successful migration and user rejection. 2026 benchmarks in FCFA.
| Item | 2026 range (FCFA) | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping + rule reverse-engineering | 1,000,000 - 2,500,000 | 1 - 2 weeks |
| Web app development | 10,000,000 - 25,000,000 | 8 - 16 weeks |
| Data migration + cleanup | 1,500,000 - 5,000,000 | 1 - 3 weeks |
| User training | 500,000 - 1,500,000 | 3 - 5 days |
| Parallel run | 500,000 - 1,500,000 /month | 1 - 2 months |
A serious migration keeps the old file read-only for a few weeks: it's the safety net that reassures teams and de-risks the cutover.
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Mini case study
Mr. Nkeng, head of a distribution SME in Douala (35 staff), runs his stock and orders on a shared Access file that corrupts once or twice a quarter. Replacement web app: 16,000,000 FCFA, data migration 3,000,000 FCFA, training 1,000,000 FCFA, i.e. 20 M FCFA total. Each corruption cost him about 2 days of downtime for 6 people, plus stock errors estimated at 4 M FCFA/year. By eliminating these incidents and speeding up entry, he estimates his return on investment at about 18 months.
FAQ
Can we keep the existing Excel formulas? You recover the business logic (formulas, rules), not the file itself. Those rules are cleanly reimplemented in the database, without the corruption risk.
How long without our tool during migration? Zero: the old file stays active until cutover, then you dual-enter data for 1 to 2 months. No business interruption.
Do we need a permanent internet connection? A modern web app runs in the browser; an offline degraded mode can be planned for areas with unstable connectivity. To scope per your sites.
Our historical data is dirty, is that a problem? It's the most common case. Cleanup (duplicates, formats, free-text fields) is a line item of its own: 1.5 to 5 M FCFA depending on volume and state.
Can we start small? Yes. We can deliver the most critical module first (e.g. stock) in 6-8 weeks, then extend. This smooths the budget and proves value quickly.
Let's scope your project. Send us your current Excel/Access file (volume, number of users, criticality): we'll price the web app and data migration. 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.
