The verdict in three sentences
A market distribution ERP (50-140 EUR/user/month) covers the basics but imposes its pricing logic. Custom software (50,000-100,000 EUR) handles your per-customer volume pricing, multi-warehouse stock and a B2B ordering portal that halves order-taking time. Custom wins as soon as your commercial rules leave the standard path.
Distribution ERP or custom: the comparison
Wholesale lives on margins and negotiated prices. A generic ERP handles specific rate grids poorly; a custom tool models them exactly.
| Criterion | Market distribution ERP | Custom software |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 3,000-10,000 EUR setup | 50,000-100,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 50-140 EUR/user/month | Hosting 250-550 EUR/month |
| Rollout time | 6-12 weeks | 16-22 weeks |
| Per-customer volume pricing | Limited | Unlimited, configurable |
| Multi-warehouse stock | Standard | Custom (reservations, transfers) |
| B2B ordering portal | Rare or optional | Native |
| Accounting integration | Connectors | Dedicated API |
For 15 users, an ERP at 100 EUR means 18,000 EUR/year. Over four years that exceeds 72,000 EUR, before the add-on modules often billed separately.
The B2B ordering portal, the ROI engine
The real gain comes from self-service: your customers order online at their own price grid without tying up your sales reps. Here are the building blocks with 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Module | Key function | Order of magnitude (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Catalogue and product sheets | Variants, units, packaging | 8,000-15,000 |
| Per-customer pricing | Volume grids, promos | 9,000-16,000 |
| B2B ordering portal | Cart, history, reorder | 12,000-20,000 |
| Multi-warehouse stock | Reservations, transfers | 8,000-14,000 |
| Order management | Status, picking, delivery | 7,000-13,000 |
| Accounting integration | Invoices, credits, entries | 6,000-11,000 |
Mini case study
Marc, head of an electrical-supply wholesaler in Nantes, manages 900 SKUs and 320 professional customers on negotiated prices. His 6 reps spend 40 % of their time entering phone orders. He invests 72,000 EUR in custom software with a B2B portal. Result: 50 % less order-taking time, the equivalent of 1.2 FTE freed (about 52,000 EUR/year redeployed to prospecting) and 60 % fewer entry errors. Payback in roughly 17 months.
FAQ
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Isn't a standard ERP enough for a wholesaler?
It is, if your pricing is simple. Once you have per-customer volume grids, targeted promos and multi-warehouse stock, a generic ERP hits its limits or gets expensive in custom development.
What does custom distribution software cost in 2026?
Between 50,000 and 100,000 EUR depending on the number of modules and pricing complexity, plus 250 to 550 EUR/month for hosting and maintenance.
Do customers actually use the B2B portal?
Yes, provided it is fast and shows the right prices. Wholesalers see 40 to 60 % of orders shift to self-service within a year, freeing up the sales team.
Can we manage several warehouses with separate stock?
Yes. Custom software handles reservations, inter-warehouse transfers and real-time availability per site, which few standard ERPs do precisely.
How does it connect to our accounting?
Through a dedicated API that pushes invoices, credit notes and entries to your accounting software, with no double entry and automated reconciliation.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your SKU count, pricing rules and warehouses for a costed scope (indicative budget 50,000-100,000 EUR). 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.
