The verdict in three sentences
A per-customer AI recommendation engine for a B2B catalog costs 22,000 to 55,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in 2026 for an Amsterdam distributor, deployed in 6 to 10 weeks. The key factor is not the algorithm but the quality of your usage data (order history, browsing, reorder cycles) and integration with the catalog and ERP. Expect +12% average order value and an improved reorder rate: payback happens in 7 to 11 months.
What the budget covers
The project combines usage-data collection, the recommendation engine and integration into the ordering front end. Here is the 2026 breakdown.
| Item | Range (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping + data audit | 2,500 - 5,000 | 1 week |
| Usage-data collection | 4,000 - 10,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Recommendation engine | 8,000 - 20,000 | 2-4 weeks |
| Catalog/ERP integration | 5,000 - 13,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| A/B testing + dashboard | 2,500 - 7,000 | 1 week |
| Project total | 22,000 - 55,000 | 6-10 weeks |
Measurable gains and infrastructure cost
B2B recommendations act on three levers: average order value, reorder frequency and product discovery. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Metric | 2026 value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Average order value uplift | +8 to +12% | after 3 months |
| Reorder rate uplift | +6 to +10% | assisted reordering |
| Click-through on recos | 9 - 18% | product pages |
| Infrastructure cost / month | 300 - 1,200 EUR | compute + storage |
| Monthly maintenance | 500 - 1,400 EUR | retraining |
| Reco update latency | < 1 h | near real time |
Mini case study
Sophie, B2B e-commerce director of an Amsterdam distributor with 4.2M EUR of online revenue, deploys a recommendation engine for 42,000 EUR (excl. VAT), plus 1,000 EUR maintenance and 700 EUR infrastructure per month. Average order value rises 11%: on 4.2M EUR of online revenue, that is about +462,000 EUR of annual volume. Even at a 6% net margin on that increment, the gain reaches 27,700 EUR per year, excluding the reorder effect. Payback in under 10 months.
FAQ
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Do we need a lot of data to start?
Six to twelve months of order history is enough for relevant recommendations. Below that, you start with business rules and similarity recommendations, then the model sharpens with usage.
Do B2B recommendations work like B2C?
No: in B2B, cyclical reordering, tiered quantities and customer agreements dominate. The engine integrates these constraints rather than mere popularity.
How is the gain measured?
Via A/B testing: one group with recos, one without. You compare average order value, click-through and reorder rate. The dashboard delivers these metrics continuously.
What infrastructure cost should we plan for?
Between 300 and 1,200 EUR per month depending on the number of SKUs and customers, plus maintenance (500 to 1,400 EUR).
Does it integrate with our ERP?
Yes: the engine reads the catalog, stock and customer pricing from the ERP via API. This integration accounts for 5,000 to 13,000 EUR depending on interface maturity.
Let's scope your project. Share your online revenue, your SKU count and your target budget (22,000-55,000 EUR excl. VAT) for a targeted estimate. 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.
