The verdict in three sentences
For a group, wiring ERP, CRM and document AI together kills re-keying and makes your internal data speak. The 2026 budget combines a scoping at 1,000,000-2,500,000 FCFA and an integration at 5,000,000-14,000,000 FCFA, with compliant EU hosting and support of 300,000 to 700,000 FCFA/month. Success rests on strict prioritization of connectors and a francophone nearshore agency model that cuts cost without losing closeness.
Prioritizing connectors: where to start
You do not wire everything at once. You rank connectors by business value and complexity to ship a first result fast. 2026 order of magnitude:
| Connector | Business value | Budget FCFA |
|---|---|---|
| ERP <-> CRM (contacts, quotes) | high | 2,500,000-5,000,000 |
| CRM <-> AI (qualification) | high | 2,000,000-4,500,000 |
| ERP <-> document AI | medium | 3,000,000-6,000,000 |
| Invoicing <-> accounting | medium | 1,500,000-4,000,000 |
| Consolidated reporting | high at scale | 2,000,000-5,000,000 |
Rule: start with ERP <-> CRM (end of double entry), then add AI once the data is trustworthy.
AI cost per token and support
Document AI (RAG over your contracts, reports, procedures) has a usage cost per token, not an opaque subscription. 2026 order of magnitude, Claude-type API:
| Monthly usage | Estimated tokens | Estimated API cost |
|---|---|---|
| 300 queries | 1-3 M | 10,000-30,000 FCFA |
| 1,500 queries | 6-12 M | 45,000-130,000 FCFA |
| 5,000 queries | 20-40 M | 150,000-450,000 FCFA |
| 15,000 queries | 60-120 M | 400,000-1,200,000 FCFA |
On top sits support (300,000-700,000 FCFA/month) covering monitoring, fixes and small changes. Compliant EU hosting removes any regulatory doubt on sensitive data.
The francophone nearshore agency model
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Francophone nearshore combines competitive rates with shared time zone and language. Concretely: a team that speaks your business language, availability during business hours, compliant EU hosting, and billing in FCFA. A full project (ERP + CRM + AI) typically takes 7 to 12 weeks, split into deliverable lots so AI is funded only after the base connectors are secured.
Mini case study
Mr. Ndong, IT director of a 250-employee distribution group, runs ERP and CRM with no link: 8 staff re-key orders and contacts, ~35 hrs/month combined. ERP <-> CRM integration at 4,200,000 FCFA, then document AI at 3,500,000 FCFA (support 500,000 FCFA/month, API ~150,000 FCFA/month). Gain: 35 hrs/month saved and internal answers 5x faster. On an average loaded cost, annual savings exceed 6,000,000 FCFA, i.e. payback under 18 months.
FAQ
Which connector first? ERP <-> CRM: it removes double entry and hardens data before adding AI (2,500,000-5,000,000 FCFA).
Is AI expensive to run? No: billed per token, often 45,000 to 450,000 FCFA/month depending on volume, capped by quotas.
Where is my data hosted? In the EU, on compliant infrastructure, with no model training and guaranteed reversibility.
Lead time for a full project? 7 to 12 weeks, delivered in lots to validate each connector before the next.
What is the nearshore advantage? Same business language, daytime availability, competitive FCFA rates and compliant EU hosting.
Let's scope your project. Describe your ERP, CRM and AI priorities with an indicative budget: we prioritize the connectors and build a phased roadmap. 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.
