The verdict in three sentences
Integrating your HR app with payroll software is budgeted in 2026 at roughly 60,000 to 180,000 MAD (local-market pricing), depending on the number of pay items to map (40 to 80 typically) and the exchange mode. Plan for 3 to 5 weeks of development, strict statutory compliance (social contributions and income tax), and 15%/year maintenance. The real challenge is not technical but regulatory: every mapping error is paid for in an adjustment.
The budget line by line
Price depends mainly on the number of pay items (base salary, bonuses, social contributions, health cover, income tax, advances) and the expected level of automation.
| Scope | Items mapped | Timeline | 2026 price (MAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base variables export | 40-50 | 2-3 wks | 60,000 - 90,000 |
| Two-way integration | 50-65 | 3-4 wks | 90,000 - 130,000 |
| Integration + advanced compliance | 65-80 | 4-5 wks | 130,000 - 180,000 |
| Multi-company / multi-agreement | 80+ | 5-7 wks | 180,000 - 260,000 |
| Annual maintenance | - | - | 15% of project |
As a guide, 15% maintenance on a 120,000 MAD project is 18,000 MAD/year, essential to track contribution-rate and annual bracket changes.
Native API or CSV/EDI file export
Not every payroll system exposes an API. The choice between native API and file export shapes cost, reliability and exchange frequency.
| Criterion | Native API | CSV/EDI file export |
|---|---|---|
| Availability by vendor | Variable | Near universal |
| Integration cost | 90,000 - 180,000 MAD | 60,000 - 110,000 MAD |
| Exchange frequency | Real-time / on demand | Batch (monthly/daily) |
| Format-error risk | Low | Medium (add checks) |
| Security | Token + TLS | File encryption + SFTP |
| Traceability | Native logging | Must be built |
When the vendor exposes no API, file export stays robust: generate a normalized CSV/EDI, drop it on an encrypted SFTP and log every import for the compliance audit trail.
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Mini case study
Nadia, HR director of a 220-employee services firm in Singapore, wants to stop re-keying payroll variables (overtime, bonuses, absences) between her HR app and the payroll software. Scope: 62 items, two-way integration. Accepted quote: 115,000 MAD build + 17,250 MAD/year maintenance. Gain: eliminating 25 hours/month of re-keying and checking at 120 MAD/h, i.e. 36,000 MAD/year, plus fewer declaration errors. Payback in just over 3 years, before counting the adjustment risk avoided.
FAQ
Does my payroll software have an API? No, not always. Many vendors offer only file export. In that case, a CSV/EDI connector at 60,000-110,000 MAD is perfectly reliable.
How is salary data secured? Encryption in transit (TLS), short-lived tokens for APIs, encrypted SFTP for files, and logging of every exchange. Payroll data is sensitive: the audit trail is mandatory.
How many items must be mapped? Usually 40 to 80: base salary, bonuses, social contributions, health cover, income tax, advances, absences. Mapping is most of the testing effort.
Who handles compliance? The connector reproduces the required calculation and format rules. The 15%/year maintenance tracks annual rate and bracket changes to stay compliant.
Can we narrow the scope initially? Yes: starting with a one-way variables export (60,000-90,000 MAD) validates the gain fast before moving to two-way.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your payroll software, the number of items and the exchange direction: we will price the integration and compliance. 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.
