The verdict in three sentences
A custom transport platform in Amsterdam costs between EUR 50,000 and 110,000 in 2026, versus EUR 30 to 80 per vehicle per month for a market TMS. Custom earns its place when your business blends own-account, forwarding and freight exchanges with bespoke pricing rules. The real gain is not the software price but load factor: every point shaved off empty running funds the project.
What a transport platform covers
Scope covers order intake, planning and vehicle allocation, forwarding (subcontracting and freight exchange), operations tracking, invoicing and EDI exchanges with shippers. Standard TMS handle classic road haulage; custom wins on multi-activity models and complex pricing.
| Module | 2026 scope | EUR range |
|---|---|---|
| Order intake and quoting | Rates, zones, flat fees | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| Planning and allocation | Rounds, vehicles, drivers | 9,000 - 18,000 |
| Forwarding and freight exchange | Subcontracting, backhauls | 9,000 - 19,000 |
| Operations tracking | Positions, incidents, POD | 7,000 - 15,000 |
| Invoicing and disputes | Pre-billing, credit notes | 7,000 - 14,000 |
| EDI and connectors | Shipper messages | 6,000 - 13,000 |
Realistic delivery: 6 to 10 months for full scope, with order intake shipped first.
The real lever: load factor
Software cost compares poorly to a subscription; the real calculation is empty kilometres avoided. 2026 order-of-magnitude for a 20-vehicle fleet running 100,000 km/year each at EUR 1.30/km.
| Empty running rate | Empty km/year (fleet) | Annual empty cost |
|---|---|---|
| 25% (before) | 500,000 km | 650,000 |
| 22% | 440,000 km | 572,000 |
| 20% | 400,000 km | 520,000 |
| 18% (after) | 360,000 km | 468,000 |
| 15% (optimum) | 300,000 km | 390,000 |
Moving from 25% to 18% empty running saves EUR 182,000/year on this fleet. Software at EUR 85,000 plus EUR 700/month support pays back in under six months.
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Mini case study
Mark is operations director of a haulier in Amsterdam, 22 vehicles and a growing forwarding activity. His current TMS at EUR 60/vehicle/month costs EUR 15,840/year but handles neither freight exchanges nor his quoting rules. A custom platform at EUR 88,000 plus EUR 700/month integrates forwarding, EDI and quoting. By cutting empty running from 24% to 19%, he saves around EUR 130,000/year, giving payback under 9 months despite the upfront build.
FAQ
Does it connect to freight exchanges? Yes, we integrate major exchanges (Teleroute, Trans.eu where APIs allow) to publish backhauls and capture spot freight.
Is EDI with our shippers manageable? Yes. We implement standard messages and your key clients' specific formats, which few generalist TMS do without surcharge.
Can we keep our current telematics? Yes, we connect your onboard unit (positions, driving hours) via API, with no hardware change.
What support budget should we plan? EUR 600 to 800/month in 2026 covers fixes, minor evolutions and EDI flow hosting.
At what fleet size does it pay off? From 15 to 20 vehicles with a forwarding share, the empty-running gain more than funds the custom build.
Let's scope your project. Give us your vehicle count, forwarding share and EDI shippers, and we will frame a scope between EUR 50,000 and 110,000. 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.
