The verdict in three sentences
Moving from scattered Excel files to a real-time dashboard is an investment of 6,000 to 20,000 EUR excl. VAT in 2026, depending on the number of sources to unify. Delivered in 3 to 6 weeks, it cuts consolidation errors by 90 % and replaces manual updates with automatic refresh. For a manager, it is the end of conflicting versions and the start of a single numeric truth.
Project cost in 2026
The budget depends on the number of files and sources to connect, the data volume and the complexity of the calculations to secure. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for the French market.
| Scope | Sources to unify | Cost (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline | Subscription/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | 2 - 3 files | 6,000 - 9,000 | 3 weeks | 80 - 150 |
| Standard | 4 - 6 sources | 9,000 - 14,000 | 4 - 5 weeks | 150 - 300 |
| Advanced | 7 + mixed sources | 14,000 - 20,000 | 5 - 6 weeks | 300 - 550 |
| Multi-department | Sources + API | 20,000 + | 6 weeks + | On quote |
Before / after benchmark
The gain shows in reliability, consolidation time and data freshness. Here is a typical benchmark for a 25-employee SME.
| Criterion | Before (Excel) | After (dashboard) | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidation time/month | 20 h | 2 h | -90 % |
| Consolidation errors | 8 %/month | < 1 %/month | -90 % |
| Data freshness | Monthly | Real time | Immediate |
| Versions in circulation | 6 - 10 | 1 | Single source |
| Mobile access | No | Yes | On the go |
For a 12,000 EUR project, the return materialises in 6 to 9 months, not counting the value of better-informed decisions.
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Mini case study
Sophie, admin and finance manager of a distribution SME in Lille (24 staff), consolidated 7 Excel files sent by different departments each month, with an error rate of about 8 %. After an 11,000 EUR excl. VAT project delivered in 4 weeks, consolidation dropped from 18 hours to under 2 hours per month. Over the year she saves around 190 hours, worth about 6,000 EUR, while making management reporting reliable. ROI reached in about 7 months.
FAQ
Do we have to drop Excel entirely? No. Excel remains useful for one-off entry or ad hoc analysis. The project consolidates and secures the key files into a single dashboard without removing your occasional uses.
How does the data update? Automatically, by connecting to source files, databases or APIs. Depending on the source, refresh ranges from real time to several times a day, with no manual intervention.
What do we really gain over Excel? A single reliable source, the end of copy-paste errors, mobile access and an automatic history. Consolidation errors typically drop by 90 %.
Can our current files be reused? Yes. We start from your existing files as sources or templates, then structure and connect them. No re-keying is needed.
How long to set up? From 3 to 6 weeks depending on the number of sources. A first working dashboard is often delivered by week 3, then enriched in iterations.
Let's scope your project. Tell us how many files to unify, your sources and your budget: we will define the right real-time dashboard. 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.
