The verdict in three sentences
An office furniture manufacturer needs two sites in one: a public catalogue that inspires designers and buyers, and a dealer portal that gives access to net prices, spec sheets and HD images without going through customer service. Montreal agencies price this project at 25,000 to 70,000 CAD in 2026, plus a PIM subscription of roughly 450 to 2,200 CAD per month depending on a range of 500 to 3,000 SKUs. A realistic timeline is 14 weeks, and ERP synchronisation should be quoted as a separate option because it can double the development phase on its own.
What the public sees, what the dealer sees
The design rule is simple: everything that helps sell is public, everything used to order or negotiate sits behind a dealer login.
| Feature | Public catalogue | Dealer portal |
|---|---|---|
| Product pages with finishes and dimensions | Yes | Yes, with internal references |
| Pricing | No, or suggested list price | Net price based on the dealer's discount |
| Spec sheets and certifications (BIFMA, GREENGUARD) | Summary | Full PDF export, updated from the PIM |
| HD images and 3D files (BIM, DWG) | Previews | Bulk download |
| Finish configurator | Yes | Yes, with PDF quote generation |
| Availability and lead times | Indicative | Per SKU, if connected to the ERP |
| Marketing assets (POS, lifestyle photos) | No | Downloadable library |
PDF export of spec sheets is the feature dealers ask for most, because they attach them to tender responses. It must come from the PIM, never from a hand-maintained Word file, or dimension and pricing errors return within months. In Quebec, the Charter of the French Language also requires product information to be available in French, so plan a French-first bilingual catalogue from day one.
2026 budget: market ranges and the custom option
| Item | Montreal range 2026 | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Public catalogue only, 500 SKUs | 12,000 to 25,000 CAD | No logged-in area |
| Catalogue + dealer portal, 500 to 1,500 SKUs | 25,000 to 45,000 CAD | Prices by discount group, PDF export |
| Catalogue + dealer portal, up to 3,000 SKUs, configurator | 45,000 to 70,000 CAD | Full project |
| PIM (product information management) | 450 to 2,200 CAD per month | By volume and number of users |
| ERP synchronisation (stock, prices, orders) | 9,000 to 30,000 CAD | Option, depends on the ERP's API |
| Product data migration and enrichment | 7 to 20 CAD per SKU | Often underestimated |
| Kolonell custom application (medium complexity) | 6,100 to 10,670 EUR (4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA) | Dealer portal included, PIM extra |
The line most often forgotten is data migration: 1,500 SKUs at 14 CAD is 21,000 CAD if your product data is scattered across spreadsheets, print catalogues and the ERP. A data audit upfront prevents schedule slippage.
The 14-week plan usually breaks down as 2 weeks of scoping and data audit, 3 weeks of design, 6 weeks of development and PIM integration, and 3 weeks of acceptance testing with a panel of 5 to 10 dealers.
Mini case study
Marc-André, VP Sales at an office furniture manufacturer in Montreal (illustrative persona), manages 1,200 SKUs and 140 dealers. His customer service team handles 60 price or spec sheet requests a week, at 10 minutes each.
- Current time: 60 × 10 min = 10 h a week, about 43 h a month, or 2,450 CAD at a loaded hourly cost of 57 CAD.
- With the dealer portal, 70% of requests disappear: 1,715 CAD saved per month, 20,580 CAD per year.
- Sales assumption: +2% dealer orders on 9,000,000 CAD of revenue, so 180,000 CAD, at a 30% margin: 54,000 CAD per year.
- Costs: project at 48,000 CAD, PIM at 900 CAD per month, so 10,800 CAD per year.
- Net annual gain: 20,580 + 54,000 - 10,800 = 63,780 CAD, payback in about 9 months.
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Without the sales assumption, the project does not pay back on customer service time alone: it is easier specification by dealers that carries the business case.
FAQ
How much does a catalogue website with a dealer portal cost in 2026?
Between 25,000 and 70,000 CAD in Montreal depending on SKU count and configurator, plus 450 to 2,200 CAD per month for a PIM. A medium-complexity Kolonell custom application costs 4,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA, or 6,100 to 10,670 EUR.
Is a PIM essential?
Above 500 SKUs with finish variants, yes. Without a PIM, every price or dimension update is done by hand across several channels, and the error rate climbs quickly.
Should we connect the ERP from the start?
Not necessarily. A first version with a monthly price import is often enough, with ERP synchronisation (9,000 to 30,000 CAD) coming in phase 2 once dealer usage is measured.
What timeline should we plan?
Around 14 weeks for a catalogue of 1,000 to 2,000 SKUs with a dealer portal, and 18 to 22 weeks if ERP synchronisation is included.
Can dealers order online?
Yes, but it changes the project category: B2B cart, payment terms, order approval. Plan an extra 12,000 to 35,000 CAD as a market range.
Let's scope your project. Send us your SKU count, number of dealers and ERP, and we will price a catalogue with dealer portal, indicative budget 6,100 to 10,670 EUR as a custom build, delivered in 14 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h via our form. 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.
