The verdict in three sentences
A custom distribution software synchronises your sales, purchasing and stock in a single database, with differentiated customer pricing and replenishment driven by real rotation. Budget 35,000 to 100,000 EUR in Amsterdam in 2026 and a 4-to-7-month timeline depending on the number of SKUs and warehouses. The ROI comes from two levers: margin per customer finally visible and stockouts reduced.
Why a wholesaler needs more than accounting software
A wholesale business lives on rotation and margin. Yet most generic tools cannot compute real margin per customer nor trigger smart replenishment. A dedicated software links the order, the purchase price, the customer's price grid and real-time stock.
| Function | Generic tool | Custom distribution software |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing by customer/volume | Manual | Automatic grids |
| Real margin per customer | Not computed | Real time |
| Rotation-based replenishment | Fixed threshold | Forecast |
| Multi-warehouse | Limited | Native |
| Supplier orders | Re-keyed | Auto-suggested |
| Rollout time | 2-4 months | 4-7 months |
2026 budget in Amsterdam by scope
Cost depends on the number of SKUs, warehouses and replenishment automation. 2026 order of magnitude.
| Scope | SKUs / warehouses | Budget EUR | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-warehouse | < 2,000 SKUs | 35,000 - 50,000 | 4 months |
| Multi-warehouse | 2,000-10,000 SKUs | 55,000 - 80,000 | 5-6 months |
| Distribution + B2B e-commerce | 10,000+ SKUs | 85,000 - 100,000 | 6-7 months |
| Accounting/ERP connector | - | 5,000 - 12,000 | included |
| Annual maintenance | - | 12-18 % of project | recurring |
Mini case study
Sophie, owner of a technical-equipment wholesaler in Amsterdam, manages 6,500 SKUs across 2 warehouses. She is unaware that 15 % of her customers are margin-negative once logistics is included. She invests 70,000 EUR in custom software. By renegotiating or repositioning those accounts, she recovers 38,000 EUR of margin per year. Cutting stockouts (from 6 % to 2 % of lines) avoids 25,000 EUR of lost sales. ROI reached in about 14 months, excluding maintenance.
FAQ
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Can we keep our current accounting software?
Yes. The distribution software connects to your accounting via connector or export. Only sales, purchasing and stock flows move into the new tool.
How are negotiated customer prices handled?
Through automatic price grids (by customer, volume, family). The right price applies at order entry, with no manual step.
Is replenishment automatic?
The software suggests supplier orders based on rotation and lead times. The manager approves: you cut stockouts without overstocking.
How many SKUs can the system handle?
No practical technical limit. Catalogues of 10,000 to 50,000 SKUs perform well with correct response times if the architecture is properly sized.
Can it handle multiple warehouses?
Yes, natively. Stock per warehouse, inter-warehouse transfers and automatic assignment of the nearest warehouse are standard in 2026.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of SKUs, warehouses and current accounting software, and we will price your distribution software (scope, budget, timeline). 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.
