The verdict in three sentences
For a 30-vehicle fleet in Dubai, a subscription TMS license (EUR 9,000 to 21,600 per year) is enough if your routes are simple and stable. Once you need multi-constraint optimization and tight integration with your GPS telematics, a custom build of EUR 50,000 to 85,000 pays back over 2 to 3 years through -12% kilometers and -18% fuel. The deciding factor is never the monthly sticker price, but the 3-year total cost measured against the liters of diesel saved.
Subscription license or custom build: the real comparison
A license deploys fast but bills per vehicle per month, indefinitely. Custom requires upfront investment but becomes an asset you own, with no per-truck cost. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude for a 30-vehicle fleet in Dubai.
| Item | TMS License (SaaS) | Custom Build |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | EUR 0 | EUR 50,000 - 85,000 |
| Subscription | EUR 25 - 60/mo/vehicle | EUR 0 |
| Annual cost (30 vehicles) | EUR 9,000 - 21,600 | 15%/yr maintenance |
| Route optimization module | included (capped) | EUR 12,000 (advanced) |
| GPS telematics | EUR 15/mo/vehicle | EUR 15/mo/vehicle |
| Customization | limited | full |
| Code ownership | no | yes |
| Time to launch | 2 - 4 weeks | 14 - 20 weeks |
Over 3 years the high-end license reaches EUR 64,800 (30 vehicles at EUR 60), excluding telematics, with no asset at the end. The custom build at EUR 70,000 caps out at EUR 70,000 plus three years of maintenance (about EUR 31,500), so EUR 101,500, but you own it and the cost does not climb as the fleet grows.
What running a 30-vehicle fleet really costs
A TMS is not judged by the software, but by the liters and hours it saves. Here is the measured impact on a regional fleet in 2026.
| Metric | Before TMS | After optimized TMS | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Km/month/vehicle | 5,200 km | 4,576 km | -12% |
| Monthly fuel (fleet) | EUR 27,000 | EUR 22,140 | -18% |
| Dispatch hours/day | 8 h | 3 h | -5 h |
| Truck fill rate | 71% | 84% | +13 pts |
| Late deliveries | 9% | 3% | -6 pts |
| Billing disputes/month | 14 | 4 | -71% |
At EUR 27,000 in monthly fuel, -18% means EUR 4,860 saved per month, nearly EUR 58,000 per year. This single line pays back a custom build in under 18 months.
Mini case study
Marc, who runs a regional courier SME in Dubai, operates 30 heavy trucks. His TMS license cost EUR 45/mo/vehicle, EUR 16,200/year, with no real route optimization. He invests EUR 68,000 in a custom build wired to his telematics, with a EUR 12,000 optimization module. Result: -12% km, -18% fuel (EUR 4,500/month saved) and 5 hours/day returned to his dispatcher. Annual fuel savings: EUR 54,000. The EUR 80,000 investment is repaid in 18 months, then generates a recurring net gain of over EUR 50,000/year.
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FAQ
Is a TMS license enough for 30 vehicles?
Yes for simple planning. But once you stack time windows, capacities, empty returns and low-emission zones, the capped optimization of a EUR 25-60/mo/vehicle license leaves 8 to 12% of kilometers on the table.
How long does a custom TMS take to deliver?
Expect 14 to 20 weeks for a planning + optimization + fleet-tracking core, including GPS telematics integration (EUR 15/mo/vehicle) and field testing with your dispatchers.
What annual maintenance budget should I plan?
A 15%/year maintenance fee on build cost is the 2026 norm, roughly EUR 7,500 to 12,750 per year for a EUR 50,000-85,000 project, including fixes, enhancements and monitoring.
Is telematics included in the TMS?
No: the GPS unit is billed separately, about EUR 15/mo/vehicle, whatever the TMS. The custom build has the edge in exploiting that data finely (driving, idling, geofencing) with no per-feed surcharge.
Can we start on a license then migrate to custom?
Yes, a common path. We secure export of your data and route history from day one to avoid lock-in, then switch with no operational downtime.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your fleet, your zones and your current telematics: we will frame a licensed or custom TMS with a clear indicative budget. 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.
