The verdict in three sentences
For an aerospace subcontractor managing 140 suppliers by e-mail and Excel, a supplier extranet costs EUR 40,000 to 90,000 excluding VAT, plus an ERP connector at EUR 8,000 to 20,000. The main gain is a reduction of about 30% in processing time for orders, certificates and non-conformities. The case is even stronger because EN 9100 requires traceability that shared Excel files no longer guarantee during audits.
Costing a supplier extranet, module by module
A purchasing extranet is built in blocks. The quote varies with the depth of each module and the number of profiles (buyers, quality, logistics, suppliers).
| Module | Content | 2026 budget (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Core and supplier master data | Accounts, role-based rights, supplier records, contacts | EUR 12,000 to 18,000 |
| Certificate upload | Material certificates, CoC, EN 9100, expiry alerts | EUR 8,000 to 15,000 |
| Orders and acknowledgements | Order publication, delivery date confirmation, reminders | EUR 8,000 to 18,000 |
| Non-conformities (NC) and corrective actions | Reporting, 8D, action plans, deadlines | EUR 7,000 to 20,000 |
| Supplier evaluation | Quality, delivery and price scores, dashboard | EUR 5,000 to 12,000 |
| Security and traceability | Audit log, SSO, two-factor, archiving | EUR 0 to 7,000 depending on customer requirements |
| ERP connector | SAP, Sage X3, proALPHA, abas, order and item sync | EUR 8,000 to 20,000 |
A starter version (master data, certificates, orders) sits around EUR 40,000 excluding the connector. A full version with NCs, evaluation and the security requirements of primes such as Airbus reaches EUR 90,000. Delivery takes 12 to 20 weeks depending on the chosen scope.
What the extranet changes compared to Excel
The business case rests on measurable processing times. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude observed at industrial SMEs with 80 to 300 employees.
| Process | With e-mail and Excel | With extranet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collecting a material certificate | 2 to 3 days of reminders | Direct upload, automatic check | up to 70% faster |
| Order confirmation | 48 to 72 h | 24 h with automatic reminder | about 50% |
| Handling a non-conformity | 15 to 25 days | 10 to 17 days | about 30% |
| Preparing an EN 9100 audit | 4 to 6 days of compilation | 1 day, log export | about 75% |
| Updating a supplier record | Manual entry by the buyer | Updated by the supplier, then validated | 1 h saved per record |
| Wrong drawing revision | Frequent | Single time-stamped version | risk sharply reduced |
Traceability is a decisive argument: EN 9100 requires control of externally provided products and services (clause 8.4). A time-stamped log of every upload and approval makes this much easier to demonstrate during an audit.
ERP connector: the item not to underestimate
The connector costs EUR 8,000 to 20,000 depending on the ERP. One-way sync (the ERP pushes orders and items to the extranet) stays at the low end. Two-way sync, feeding back confirmed dates and goods receipts, is closer to EUR 15,000 to 20,000, especially with a heavily customised SAP. Require the quote to list the exact synchronised objects and exchange frequency.
Mini case study
Thomas, purchasing director at a 180-employee aerospace subcontractor, manages 4 buyers and 2 supplier quality technicians. Together they spend about 55 hours a week on reminders, certificate collection and NC follow-up. A 30% reduction frees 16.5 hours per week, or 742 hours over 45 weeks. At EUR 45 per loaded hour, the gain reaches EUR 33,400 per year.
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Thomas picks a EUR 62,000 extranet with a Sage X3 connector at EUR 12,000, so EUR 74,000, plus EUR 7,000 annual maintenance. Adding better-prepared customer audits (5 days saved per year) and lower late-delivery penalties estimated at EUR 10,000, the annual gain exceeds EUR 45,000. Payback: about 20 months.
FAQ
What budget should a manufacturer plan for a supplier extranet?
EUR 40,000 to 90,000 excluding VAT for the extranet, plus EUR 8,000 to 20,000 for the ERP connector. A first functional release sits around EUR 40,000.
How long does the project take?
12 to 20 weeks depending on modules. The ERP connector often adds 3 to 4 weeks if the ERP is customised.
Does the extranet help with EN 9100 certification?
It does not certify anything on its own, but it provides the traceability expected by clause 8.4: time-stamped certificates, NC history, evaluations. Audit preparation often drops from 5 days to 1.
Will suppliers actually use it?
Yes if the tool is simple and orders only arrive through it. Allow 2 to 3 months to reach 80% adoption across 140 suppliers, with a 30-minute training session.
Where is sensitive data hosted?
In Germany or elsewhere in the EU, with encryption and daily backups, for EUR 150 to 400 per month. Primes' cybersecurity requirements are built in from scoping.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your supplier count, your ERP and your quality requirements, and we will cost a first release between EUR 40,000 and 90,000 with a 12 to 20 week plan. 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.
