The verdict in three sentences
A real-time KPI dashboard only has value if refresh rate and uptime SLA are contractual. A typical mid-market project costs between 14,000 and 38,000 EUR for 4-10 sources connected via API/webhooks, with a sub-5-minute refresh. The real question isn't real-time or not, but which KPIs actually justify the extra cost of live connectors.
Real-time vs batch: cost and relevance
Real-time costs more to build and maintain. It only pays off for KPIs where a fast decision has value.
| Criterion | Batch (daily) | Real-time (< 5 min) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 9,000 - 20,000 EUR | 14,000 - 38,000 EUR |
| Connections | Scheduled exports | API / webhooks |
| Frequency | 1-4 times/day | < 5 minutes |
| Monthly maintenance | 400 - 800 EUR | 500 - 1,100 EUR |
| Ideal use case | Reporting, margin | Cash, stock, sales |
| Technical complexity | Medium | High |
Useful rule: only put in real-time the KPIs where reacting within the hour changes a decision (stockout, cash alert).
Connector costs and SLA clauses
Each live source has a connector cost and an uptime requirement. We contract an SLA to avoid blind spots.
| Source | Connection type | Connector cost (EUR) | Target SLA |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRM (sales) | API / webhook | 2,000 - 4,000 | 99.5% |
| Bank / treasury | Aggregator API | 2,500 - 4,500 | 99.5% |
| E-commerce | Order webhook | 1,500 - 3,500 | 99.9% |
| ERP | API | 3,000 - 5,000 | 99.5% |
| Stock / WMS | API | 2,000 - 4,000 | 99.5% |
| Advertising (Ads) | Scheduled API | 1,200 - 2,500 | 99.0% |
EU hosting: expect 50-180 EUR/month by volume, with monitoring and failure alerts.
Mini case study
Ms. Haddad, managing director of a 40-person services firm in Dubai, flies blind: she discovers cash tensions 8 days late. A real-time dashboard at 24,000 EUR + 800 EUR/month support + 120 EUR/month hosting connects CRM, bank and billing with a sub-5-minute refresh. Costed result: a cash alert triggered 6 days earlier saved her ~9,000 EUR in interest and mis-timed purchasing in the first quarter alone. Immediate qualitative ROI on steering.
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FAQ
Is real-time always worth it?
No. Reserve it for KPIs where reacting within the hour changes a decision (cash, stock, sales). The rest can stay on cheaper daily batch.
How many sources can you connect?
From 4 to 10 via API/webhooks (CRM, bank, e-commerce, ERP, stock, Ads). Each connector costs 1,200-5,000 EUR by source.
What uptime SLA do you offer?
Between 99.0% and 99.9% by criticality, with monitoring, alerts and a contractual restoration commitment.
What's the delivery time?
From 6 to 11 weeks depending on connector count and aggregation-rule complexity.
Where is data hosted?
In the EU (50-180 EUR/month), GDPR-compliant, with backups, monitoring and access logging.
Let's scope your project. Give us your critical KPIs, sources and SLA requirement: we price the dashboard and connectors. 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.
