The verdict in three sentences
A building-materials trader fights two enemies: the thousands of SKUs to track and the site quotes that take too long. A catalogue + quotes + multi-warehouse stock app updates prices in one place, produces a quote in minutes and alerts before a stockout. Budget 1,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA depending on modules and the number of warehouses.
What a hardware/trader app costs in 2026
2026 order of magnitude for a trader supplying construction sites in Senegal.
| Module | What it does | Indicative cost (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalogue & pricing | Thousands of SKUs, prices, units, discounts | 300,000 – 800,000 | 2 weeks |
| Quote generator | PDF site quotes, margins, validity | 400,000 – 900,000 | 2 weeks |
| Multi-warehouse stock | Quantities per warehouse, transfers, alerts | 400,000 – 1,000,000 | 2–3 weeks |
| Orders & delivery | Order slips, picking, delivery notes | 300,000 – 700,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Wave/OM payment | Site deposit, balance, receipt | 300,000 – 700,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Reports & margin | Sales by family, margin, stockouts | 200,000 – 500,000 | 1 week |
An essential app (catalogue + quotes) starts around 1,000,000 FCFA. A complete app with multi-warehouse stock and payment reaches 3,000,000–3,500,000 FCFA.
The gain: fewer stockouts, lightning-fast quotes
| Module | Indicative cost (FCFA) | Stockouts avoided | Quote time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalogue & pricing | 300,000 – 800,000 | Prices always current | Reliable base |
| Quote generator | 400,000 – 900,000 | — | from 30 min to 5 min |
| Multi-warehouse stock | 400,000 – 1,000,000 | -40 to -60 % | — |
| Orders & delivery | 300,000 – 700,000 | Fewer picking errors | Faster delivery |
A quote produced in 5 minutes converts to an order more often: a construction buyer purchases from whoever answers first, with the right price and confirmed availability.
Mini case study
Seydou runs a materials business in Rufisque, 2 warehouses, producing about 200 quotes a month. Before, each quote took 30 minutes of price hunting and manual stock checking — 100 hours/month. With a 2,800,000 FCFA app (catalogue + quotes + multi-warehouse stock), a quote takes 5 minutes: he saves over 80 hours a month and avoids sales lost to stockouts. By capturing just 10 extra quotes a month at a 300,000 FCFA basket, he repays the app in under 4 months.
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FAQ
Can we import our existing catalogue?
Yes. We import your SKUs, prices and units from an Excel file or your old tool. The catalogue becomes the single source: a price changed once applies everywhere, quotes included.
How does multi-warehouse stock work?
Each warehouse has its own quantities; the app shows global and per-site availability, handles transfers and alerts below threshold. The salesperson instantly knows where a product is.
Is the quote professional?
Yes: a PDF quote with logo, SKUs, quantities, prices, discounts and validity, sent by WhatsApp or email. It can be converted into an order then a delivery note without re-keying.
Can we collect a site deposit?
We integrate Wave and Orange Money for the deposit and balance, with an automatic receipt. That secures large orders before picking.
Let's talk about your project. We'll size your catalogue, your warehouses and the quote module that will save you the most hours from month one. 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.
