The verdict in three sentences
For a medical equipment importer in Dubai, a B2B store is not about selling to the public: it is about answering quote requests faster from clinics, hospitals and pharmacies, and tracking every order through delivery. With 3,000 SKUs, technical sheets and prices per customer type, Kolonell prices the tool as a simple custom application at 2,500,000 to 4,000,000 FCFA (3,810 to 6,100 EUR). The return comes from freed-up sales time and quotes that no longer go unanswered.
Why a PDF catalogue and WhatsApp are no longer enough
Many importers in the UAE still work with an Excel file, a PDF catalogue shared on WhatsApp and hand-typed quotes. The problem shows beyond 40 to 50 requests a week: response times grow, prices differ from one salesperson to another and lot numbers get lost.
| Situation | PDF catalogue + WhatsApp | B2B store with online quotes |
|---|---|---|
| Average quote response time | 24 to 72 h | under 2 h (quote generated automatically) |
| Price or reference errors | 5 to 8% of quotes | under 1% |
| Price update after a shipment | 1 to 2 days of data entry | Excel import in 15 minutes |
| Technical sheets and certificates | sent one by one | downloadable on each product page |
| Order tracking for the clinic | calls to the salesperson | online status: approved, picked, delivered |
| Purchase history per customer | scattered across messages | searchable and reusable in 1 click |
| Follow-up on unsigned quotes | rarely done | automatic reminders at D+3 and D+7 |
A B2B store does not force immediate online payment. In the medical sector, most facilities pay by bank transfer against a purchase order, often at 30 or 60 days. Card payment is mainly used by pharmacies and small clinics for orders under about 2,500 USD.
Scope and budget
Price depends mostly on the number of customer profiles, pricing rules and integrations. The amounts below follow the Kolonell grid of 11/10/2026.
| Module | Content | Included at 3,810 EUR | Version at 6,100 EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalogue | 3,000 SKUs, families, filters, search | yes | yes, with search by manufacturer code |
| Technical sheets | PDFs, CE and FDA certificates, manuals | yes | yes, with version control |
| Customer accounts | clinics, pharmacies, hospitals | 2 price profiles | up to 5 price lists per customer |
| Online quotes | cart turned into a PDF quote | yes | yes, with internal approval before sending |
| Quote to order | 1 click by the customer | yes | yes, with purchase order attached |
| Payment | bank transfer, card | transfer + card | transfer + card + deposits |
| Order tracking | statuses and SMS or email alerts | simple statuses | statuses + lots and serial numbers |
| Accounting export | Excel or CSV, VAT 5% | yes | connector to the accounting software |
Delivery takes 2 to 3 months: 2 weeks of scoping and catalogue migration, 5 to 7 weeks of development, 2 weeks of testing with 3 to 5 pilot customers. Add Kolonell maintenance at 35,000, 75,000 or 120,000 FCFA per month (50, 110 or 180 EUR) depending on the support level.
Points specific to medical equipment
Three topics make the difference in this sector. Lot and serial numbers must follow every item, because a manufacturer recall requires finding affected customers within hours. Regulated products (sterile consumables, some devices registered with the UAE health authorities) should only be visible to facilities whose licence has been checked. Finally, tender pricing: a public hospital can get a fixed price for 12 months, which the store must apply automatically.
Mini case study
Omar, managing director of a medical equipment importer in Dubai, receives 60 quote requests a week. Two salespeople each spend about 15 hours on them, i.e. 30 hours a week. He estimates he loses 1 quote in 5 for lack of a quick answer, with an average order of 1,150 EUR and a 25% gross margin.
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With the B2B store, quote preparation time falls to about 8 hours a week. If lost quotes drop from 20% to 10%, he wins 6 extra orders a week, i.e. 6,900 EUR of revenue and about 1,725 EUR of weekly gross margin. Based on this estimate, a project at about 5,340 EUR pays back in roughly 4 weeks.
FAQ
Do we have to offer online payment?
No. Most healthcare facilities pay by bank transfer against a purchase order. Card payment remains useful for small orders, usually below about 2,500 USD.
How long does it take to publish 3,000 SKUs?
With a clean Excel file, the import takes 1 to 2 days. Collecting technical sheets and photos takes longer: plan 2 to 3 weeks in parallel with development.
Can clinics see different prices?
Yes, each account is linked to a price list. The 6,100 EUR version handles up to 5 price lists per customer, useful for fixed-price public tenders.
Can access to some products be restricted?
Yes. Regulated products are only shown to accounts approved after licence verification, a step that usually takes your team less than 24 h.
What does the tool cost after launch?
Managed hosting runs between 25,000 and 75,000 FCFA per month (40 to 110 EUR) and Kolonell maintenance between 50 and 180 EUR per month depending on the support level.
Let's scope your project. We scope your B2B store (catalogue, price lists, online quotes, payments) with a budget of 3,810 to 6,100 EUR and a launch in 2 to 3 months. 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.
