The verdict in three sentences
For a wholesaler juggling catalog, per-customer pricing and multiple warehouses, custom software starts at 45,000-85,000 EUR for the core. Differentiating modules (fine pricing, B2B portal, carriers) add 15,000 to 40,000 EUR. Payback comes fast: -30% processing time on orders and sharply reduced stockouts fund the tool in under two years.
2026 pricing item by item
A distributor doesn't have the same needs as an e-tailer. Value concentrates on commercial rules and multi-warehouse logistics.
| Item | Scope | 2026 range |
|---|---|---|
| Core (catalog, customers, orders) | Base | 45,000-85,000 EUR |
| Per-customer pricing / terms | Discounts, tiers, contracts | 12,000-25,000 EUR |
| Multi-warehouse management | Stock per site, transfers | 10,000-22,000 EUR |
| B2B order portal | Web customer area | 15,000-30,000 EUR |
| Carrier integration | Labels, tracking | 8,000-18,000 EUR |
A full "core + 3 modules" project therefore lands in practice between 80,000 and 150,000 EUR in 2026, adjusted for the number of SKUs and warehouses.
The measurable gains
Custom is only justified by quantified gains. Here are typical levers seen at an equipped wholesaler.
| Indicator | Before | After | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to key an order | 8 min | 2.5 min | -69% |
| Pricing / billing errors | 6% | 1% | -83% |
| Catalog stockout rate | 9% | 4% | -55% |
| Orders placed self-service (portal) | 0% | 45% | +45 pts |
| Overall processing time | baseline | -30% | -30% |
The order portal is the most profitable lever: every order a customer keys themselves is one your teams no longer key, while reducing errors.
Mini case study
Sophie, head of an industrial-supplies wholesaler in Lille (18 staff, 6,200 SKUs, 3 warehouses), processes 220 orders/day, 70% by phone and email. Admin cost is estimated at 11,000 EUR/month. She invests 72,000 EUR for the core and 34,000 EUR for customer pricing plus the B2B portal, i.e. 106,000 EUR. By shifting 45% of orders to self-service and cutting keying time by 30%, she saves ~4,300 EUR/month (51,600 EUR/year): a 25-month payback, excluding the drop in stockouts.
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FAQ
Why not buy an off-the-shelf ERP?
A standard ERP handles complex per-customer pricing poorly. Building specific rules into an ERP often costs as much as custom, with less flexibility to evolve.
How much is the B2B order portal?
Between 15,000 and 30,000 EUR depending on features: personalized catalog, negotiated prices, history, one-click reorder and real-time order tracking.
Can multiple warehouses with transfers be managed?
Yes, the multi-warehouse module (10,000-22,000 EUR) handles stock per site, inter-warehouse transfers and automatic allocation to the warehouse nearest the customer.
How long to go live?
Expect 4 to 7 months for the core plus one module, with a phased go-live by scope so activity is never blocked.
Is carrier integration included?
It's optional: 8,000 to 18,000 EUR to generate labels, slips and tracking via the APIs of the carriers you use.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your SKU count, number of warehouses and daily order volume so we can frame core and modules. 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.
