The verdict in three sentences
Custom wholesale distribution software costs between 60,000 and 170,000 EUR in 2026, depending on the number of warehouses and the B2B portal. The most visible gain is a self-service ordering portal that cuts data entry by 40 % and auto-replenishment that halves stockouts. For a distributor doing more than 5M EUR in revenue, the investment pays back in 10 to 16 months.
The real friction points in distribution
A wholesaler juggles different prices per customer, several warehouses and a stream of orders taken by phone, email and fax. Three costly problems:
- Manual order entry: every phoned order ties up a sales rep and creates errors.
- Stockouts: without auto-replenishment based on thresholds and supplier lead times, you discover the shortage too late.
- Per-customer pricing: tiered grids, negotiated discounts and promotions, impossible to keep current in a spreadsheet.
Modules and 2026 budget
| Module | What it covers | 2026 ballpark (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-warehouse stock | Locations, transfers, counts | 12,000 - 28,000 |
| Per-customer pricing | Grids, tiers, discounts, promotions | 9,000 - 20,000 |
| Order management | Intake, picking, shipping | 10,000 - 24,000 |
| B2B ordering portal | Self-service, catalogue, history | 14,000 - 32,000 |
| Auto-replenishment | Thresholds, supplier lead times, suggestions | 8,000 - 18,000 |
| Accounting / EDI integration | Invoices, credits, EDI flows | 8,000 - 22,000 |
| Sales reporting | Margins, turnover, top customers | 6,000 - 16,000 |
A core of stock + orders + pricing starts around 60,000 EUR. A full platform with B2B portal and EDI reaches 170,000 EUR, over 5 to 8 months.
Gains on stockouts and entry errors
| Gain area | Current situation | With the software | Estimated annual gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order entry | 100 % manual | -40 % via B2B portal | Sales-rep time |
| Stockouts | Baseline | -40 to -55 % | Sales preserved |
| Pricing errors | 3-6 % of lines | < 1 % | Margin preserved |
| Order processing time | 1-2 days | A few hours | Customer satisfaction |
For a distributor handling 12,000 orders a year of which 40 % shift to self-service, that is roughly 4,800 orders reps no longer key in. At 6 minutes saved per order, that is nearly 480 hours a year redeployed onto customer development.
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Mini case study
Sophie runs a 22-employee industrial supplies distributor with 3 warehouses in Nantes, at 8M EUR revenue. Her reps key every order by hand and she suffers recurring stockouts. She invests 96,000 EUR in a multi-warehouse stock + pricing + B2B portal + auto-replenishment core.
Over 12 months: 42 % of orders moved to self-service (~500 entry hours saved), stockouts halved (preserved sales estimated at 90,000 EUR) and pricing errors down below 1 %. The investment pays back in 12 to 14 months.
FAQ
Do my trade customers really want a B2B portal? Yes, a professional buyer often prefers ordering at 10 p.m. from their desk rather than waiting for your rep. Self-service improves service while freeing your teams; large accounts usually adopt it within a few weeks.
How do I handle different prices per customer? The pricing module handles tiered grids, negotiated discounts and dated promotions. Each customer sees their net price in the portal, which removes invoicing disputes.
Is auto-replenishment reliable? It proposes, you approve. The algorithm computes needs from sales, thresholds and supplier lead times; the buyer keeps final validation, which avoids overstock.
Do I need EDI with my large customers? If your key accounts require it, yes: EDI (10,000 to 22,000 EUR) automates orders and invoices and often becomes a condition of being listed.
Can I start without the B2B portal? Yes, a core of stock + orders + pricing around 60,000 EUR is a good start. You add the B2B portal in phase 2 once product data is cleaned up.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of warehouses, your order volume and whether the B2B portal is a priority, and we will frame a platform that pays back within the first year. 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.
