The verdict in three sentences
An off-the-shelf package may look cheaper at first, but it ignores your realities: offline order-taking, customer credit and mobile money are rarely well covered. Custom software (7,000,000 to 20,000,000 FCFA) builds in these specifics and steers from a single dashboard. The return is fast: -25 to -40 % stockouts and far better control of customer credit collection.
The 2026 quote, module by module
A consumer-goods distributor manages a central warehouse, a field sales force and a lot of credit sales. Here are the 2026 ranges as orders of magnitude.
| Module | 2026 range (FCFA) | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution core (stock, sales, purchasing) | 7,000,000 – 20,000,000 | management backbone |
| Field sales app (offline) | 3,000,000 – 6,000,000 | order-taking without network |
| Credit / collection module | 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 | balances, due dates, reminders |
| Mobile money integration | 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 | Wave/Orange Money collection |
| Consolidated dashboard | 2,000,000 – 4,000,000 | executive steering |
| Annual maintenance | 12 – 15 %/yr of build | fixes + enhancements |
Typical timeline is 4 to 6 months. You usually start with the stock + sales backbone, then add the field app and credit module once the core is stable.
Why the offline field app is decisive
Network coverage is uneven on sales routes. An app that works offline then syncs is a game-changer. Here is the 2026 impact.
| Metric | Before (paper/phone) | After field app |
|---|---|---|
| Order-taking | paper pad, re-keying | direct on mobile, offline |
| Order-to-warehouse delay | 1 to 2 days | near real-time at sync |
| Entry errors | frequent | sharply reduced |
| Customer balance visibility | poor | up to date at each visit |
| Stockouts | baseline | -25 to -40 % |
Mini case study
Issa, head of a hygiene-products distributor (1 warehouse, 9 field reps), invests 12,000,000 FCFA in custom software with an offline field app and credit module. Before, reps noted orders on paper, re-keyed at the office in the evening, with frequent stockouts and poorly tracked customer balances. After: orders captured on route and synced, stockouts down about 30 %, and much-improved credit collection thanks to automatic reminders. The gain on sales no longer lost plus credit recovered pays back the project in under 18 months.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
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Off-the-shelf package or custom software?
Custom (7,000,000 – 20,000,000 FCFA) wins as soon as you have field reps, customer credit and mobile money collection — precisely the points generic packages cover poorly.
Does the field app work without internet?
Yes, that is the whole point: orders are captured offline then synced once there is network. Essential for routes in areas with uneven coverage.
Can we collect via Wave and Orange Money?
Yes. Mobile money integration (1,000,000 – 2,000,000 FCFA) records collections and reduces cash handling.
How long until it is operational?
4 to 6 months. We deliver the stock + sales backbone first, then the field app and credit module, for a controlled rollout.
What recurring cost after go-live?
Maintenance is 12 to 15 %/year of build — roughly 1,440,000 to 1,800,000 FCFA/year on a 12,000,000 FCFA project.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of field reps, how you manage customer credit and your mobile money needs; we price the priority 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.
