The verdict in three sentences
A custom ERP for a B2B distributor is budgeted between EUR 60,000 and 140,000 depending on scope (customer pricing, multi-warehouse stock, purchasing, CRM). The timeline is 6 to 12 months with maintenance around EUR 900/month. An off-the-shelf ERP (Odoo, SAP Business One) stays relevant if the standard fits; once per-customer pricing and business rules get complex, customization cost narrows the gap.
What the ERP covers and its price
A distributor must unify sales, purchasing, stock and differentiated per-customer pricing. A 2026 order of magnitude for an Amsterdam distributor.
| Module | Scope | Indicative price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & per-customer pricing | Price lists, discounts | 14,000 - 28,000 |
| Multi-warehouse stock | Reservations, inventory | 12,000 - 26,000 |
| Purchasing & suppliers | Replenishment, receiving | 10,000 - 22,000 |
| Billing & accounting | Export, reminders | 8,000 - 18,000 |
| B2B customer portal | Online ordering | 10,000 - 24,000 |
| CRM & reporting | Pipeline, margins | 6,000 - 22,000 |
A realistic total ranges from EUR 60,000 to 140,000, plus hosting (EUR 300-600/month) and EUR 900/month maintenance.
Custom vs off-the-shelf: the customization cost
Odoo or SAP Business One show affordable licenses, but customizing business rules inflates the bill. Let us compare on a distributor with 25 users.
| Solution | Licenses/year | Initial integration | 5-year total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odoo (~EUR 300/user/yr) | 7,500 | 40,000 - 90,000 | 77,500 - 127,500 |
| SAP Business One | 18,000 | 60,000 - 120,000 | 150,000 - 210,000 |
| Custom ERP | ~10,800 maint. | 60,000 - 140,000 | 114,000 - 194,000 |
The verdict: for standard rules, a well-integrated Odoo wins. Once per-customer pricing, volume discounts and multi-warehouse stock get specific, custom avoids endless bolt-on development on a constrained core.
Mini case study
Bram, managing director of an industrial-supplies distributor in Amsterdam (25 users, 4 warehouses, 3,200 SKUs), picks a custom ERP at EUR 120,000 after two Odoo integration quotes for heavy customization around EUR 95,000. The decisive gain: automated per-customer price lists that cut order-entry time by 30% and remove pricing errors, estimated at EUR 22,000/year of lost margin. Payback in about 3 years.
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FAQ
Can we manage different prices per customer?
Yes, that is the core of the project: per-customer price lists, volume discounts and negotiated terms applied automatically to quotes and orders.
Is multi-warehouse stock managed in real time?
Yes, with reservations, inter-warehouse transfers and cycle counts. The module is priced between EUR 12,000 and 26,000.
Do we really need custom rather than Odoo?
No. If the standard fits, a well-integrated Odoo is cheaper. Custom wins when business rules are too specific.
Is a B2B ordering portal included?
Optional. The customer portal lets clients order online at their own prices, sharply cutting calls and emails.
What does the EUR 900/month maintenance cover?
Support, fixes, updates, hosting supervision and small enhancements. Large projects are quoted separately.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of users, warehouses and pricing rules and we will frame a budget between EUR 60,000 and 140,000. 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.
