The verdict in three sentences
A B2B partner extranet — a portal where distributors place orders, view negotiated pricing and download documents — costs EUR 20,000 to 55,000 in 2026, delivered in 10 to 18 weeks. It raises self-service ordering from 20 to 70 % and cuts data-entry errors by 40 %. Concrete result for a manufacturer: 1 to 2 admin FTEs freed from manual entry.
The budget for a distributor extranet in 2026
An extranet is heavier than a plain client portal: it carries partner-specific pricing, a catalog, a B2B cart and usually an ERP connector. Here are the 2026 ranges.
| Tier | Scope | Price EUR | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Auth, catalog, per-account pricing, docs | 20,000 – 28,000 | 10 – 12 wks |
| Standard | + B2B cart, orders, history, roles | 28,000 – 42,000 | 12 – 15 wks |
| Advanced | + real-time ERP connector, credit limits, RMA | 42,000 – 55,000 | 15 – 18 wks |
| Platform | + multi-warehouse, EDI, support portal, API | 55,000 – 80,000 | 18 – 26 wks |
Maintenance runs 15 to 20 %/year of the build. A two-way ERP connector (stock, prices, orders) costs EUR 6,000 to 15,000 depending on the ERP (Sage X3, SAP B1, Cegid, Divalto).
What partner self-service saves
The real gain isn't the software price but the admin time removed. Here is the typical impact on a distributor order flow.
| Metric | Before extranet | After extranet |
|---|---|---|
| Orders placed self-service | 20 % | 70 % |
| Entry time per order | 9 min | 2 min |
| Data-entry error rate | 6 % | 3.5 % |
| Order processing time | 1.5 day | 4 hrs |
| FTEs dedicated to entry | 2.5 | 0.8 – 1.5 |
Fewer errors = fewer credit notes, returns and disputes. On 12,000 orders/year, moving from 6 % to 3.5 % errors avoids 300 disputes, each costing EUR 25 to 60 to resolve.
Mini case study
Marc, sales director of a components maker in Villeurbanne, runs 85 distributors. Two assistants key 11,000 orders/year received by email and fax at 9 minutes each: 1,650 hrs/year, ~EUR 58,000/year loaded cost (EUR 35/hr).
He invests EUR 38,000 in a Standard extranet plus a Sage connector (EUR 10,000). After 6 months, 68 % of orders arrive self-service: entry time drops to ~530 hrs/year. Savings ~EUR 39,000/year, plus 250 disputes avoided (~EUR 10,000). Annual gain ~EUR 49,000 on a EUR 48,000 investment → paid back in ~12 months.
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FAQ
What's the difference between an extranet and a B2B e-commerce site?
An extranet is restricted to identified partners with negotiated pricing, credit limits and specific terms. Open B2B e-commerce targets acquisition. An extranet costs EUR 20,000 to 55,000; a full B2B e-commerce site often starts higher.
Can we manage different pricing per distributor?
Yes, that's the core feature: per-account price lists, volume discounts, targeted promotions. This pricing logic accounts for 15 to 25 % of the development budget.
Is the ERP connector mandatory?
Not in phase 1, but strongly recommended. Without it, orders still need manual re-entry. The connector (EUR 6,000 to 15,000) is often the best-ROI line item.
How many partners can the extranet support?
From a few dozen to several thousand with no re-development: the architecture is built to scale. Hosting costs move from EUR 50 to 300/month with traffic.
Can we start small then expand?
Yes. An Essential at EUR 24,000 (catalog + pricing + docs) validates usage, then you add cart, ERP connector and support in EUR 8,000-to-15,000 batches.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your distributor count, your ERP and your order volume, and we'll price an Essential or Standard extranet prioritized on your biggest admin cost. 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.
