The verdict in three sentences
A distributor managing several thousand SKUs by hand piles up picking errors and inventory discrepancies. In 2026, a custom WMS costs 10,000,000 to 28,000,000 FCFA (about 15,000-43,000 EUR), against a standard WMS that is often rigid and billed in hard currency. Custom wins the moment your locations, barcode scanning and cycle counting must fit your real warehouse.
Standard WMS or custom build?
A standard WMS covers the basics but imposes its location model and ergonomics. Custom fits your warehouse topology, your picking flows and your terminals, and removes per-seat licences.
| Criterion | Standard WMS | Kolonell custom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 15-35 M FCFA + licences | 10-28 M FCFA |
| Recurring cost | 700,000-2,000,000 FCFA/mo | 400,000-1,000,000 FCFA/mo |
| Time to go live | 6-12 months | 5-8 months |
| Location management | Standard | Warehouse-fit |
| Barcode scanning | Standard | Bespoke, local terminals |
| Cycle counting | Vendor-dependent | Built in |
| Multi-warehouse | Paid add-on | As needed |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
What a WMS saves in operations
WMS cost pays back on stock reliability and picker productivity.
| Module | Quantified impact | Dev time |
|---|---|---|
| Location management | Picking time -15 to -30 % | 6-8 weeks |
| Barcode scanning | Picking errors -30 to -60 % | 4-6 weeks |
| Cycle counting | Inventory gaps -40 to -70 % | 4-5 weeks |
| Guided picking | Productivity +10 to +25 % | 5-7 weeks |
| Stock dashboard | -2 days/month reporting | 3-4 weeks |
Mini case study
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Mrs Lim runs a distribution company in Singapore: 4,500 SKUs, 18 pickers, 90,000 order lines/yr. Before, 3 % of lines shipped wrong, each return costing 6,000 FCFA (16,200,000 FCFA/yr). She invests 20,000,000 FCFA in a custom WMS, maintenance 700,000 FCFA/month. Barcode scanning cuts errors by 50 %, i.e. 8,100,000 FCFA/yr saved, before picking productivity gains. Payback in under 3 years, faster once lower inventory gaps are counted.
FAQ
What budget for a custom WMS? Budget 10,000,000 FCFA for a core (locations, scanning, counting) delivered in 5-6 months, up to 28,000,000 FCFA with multi-warehouse and guided picking.
How much do picking errors drop? Barcode scanning cuts errors by 30 to 60 % depending on process discipline and team training.
Can we use local terminals? Yes: the app runs on locally available Android terminals or scanners, integrated during development.
How much is monthly maintenance? Between 400,000 and 1,000,000 FCFA/month depending on the number of warehouses, hosting and user volume.
How long to go live? Allow 5 to 8 months, with a first warehouse zone operational from month 4 to validate flows.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of SKUs, pickers and warehouses. 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.
