The verdict in three sentences
For a manufacturing SME in Montreal, a custom production system (60 000 to 130 000 CAD) becomes worthwhile as soon as work orders, raw materials and finished-goods stock no longer fit on a spreadsheet. Market MRPs exist (Fishbowl, Katana-like) at 40-100 CAD/user/month, but are often generic on lot traceability and shop-floor specifics. A tool built for your plant, with a real shop-floor workflow, typically amortizes in 18-24 months through fewer stock-outs and less scrap.
What custom covers and its budget
The typical scope for a Montreal manufacturing SME breaks down into modules. The estimate below is a 2026 order of magnitude.
| Module | Budget (CAD) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Work orders | 10 000-20 000 | 4-6 wks |
| Raw-material management | 9 000-17 000 | 3-5 wks |
| Finished-goods stock | 10 000-19 000 | 4-6 wks |
| Lot traceability | 8 000-16 000 | 3-5 wks |
| Replenishment & stock alerts | 7 000-14 000 | 3-4 wks |
| Production reporting | 8 000-15 000 | 3-5 wks |
| Offline mode / sync | 8 000-16 000 | 3-5 wks |
Maintenance runs 15-18 % of the build per year (roughly 9 000 to 23 000 CAD/year), covering fixes, evolutions, hosting and support.
Custom vs off-the-shelf MRP: the comparison
| Criterion | MRP SaaS | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 40-100 CAD/user/month | 60 000-130 000 CAD (build) |
| Cost 15 users / 3 years | 22 000-54 000 CAD | 60 000-130 000 CAD + maintenance |
| Lot traceability | Standard | Fully custom |
| Offline mode | Rare | Built-in |
| Shop-floor fit | Limited | Total |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Extensibility | Vendor roadmap | Your roadmap |
Mini case study
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Martin, owner of a food-processing SME in Montreal (32 employees, 3 production lines), was losing control of raw materials and lots. After a custom system at 96 000 CAD (maintenance 16 000 CAD/year): raw-material stock-outs -30 %, scrap -18 %, complete lot traceability (essential for recalls), 15 hours saved per month on production tracking, production lead time cut by 20 %. Estimated annual savings: ~63 000 CAD (materials not wasted + scrap avoided + productivity). ROI reached around 20 months.
FAQ
Why not just buy an off-the-shelf MRP? Market MRPs at 40-100 CAD/user/month cover generic needs well, but lot-level traceability and shop-floor specifics often require heavy customization that approaches custom-build cost.
How much is maintenance? Plan 15-18 % of the build per year (roughly 9 000 to 23 000 CAD/year), covering fixes, hosting and minor evolutions.
Is offline mode reliable? Yes: shop-floor entries are stored locally then sync when the network returns, avoiding any blockage during outages.
What is the delivery timeline? 5 to 7 months for a full production scope, with a first usable version (work orders + stock) by month 3.
Is lot traceability mandatory? For food processing it is critical for product recalls. Custom builds it in natively, from raw-material lot to shipped finished good.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your production lines, SKU volume and traceability constraints, and we will frame a manufacturing system and indicative budget (60 000-130 000 CAD). 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.
