The verdict in three sentences
A custom distribution system costs 8,000,000 to 22,000,000 FCFA (roughly 12,000-34,000 EUR) and ships in 5 to 9 months, versus a faster but rigid vertical ERP that constrains your customer pricing. The real gain lies in multi-warehouse management and customer credit: one avoided stock-out is worth more than a saved licence. Past 3 warehouses and 500 SKUs, custom repays its 5-to-9-month timeline.
What distribution software covers in 2026
Wholesale lives on the margin between buying and selling, and dies from stock-outs and unpaid invoices. A dedicated tool must cover the full cycle, from supplier purchase order to customer collection.
| Module | Indicative price (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-warehouse and transfers | 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 | 1.5 - 2.5 months |
| Per-customer pricing and rebates | 1,200,000 - 3,000,000 | 1 - 2 months |
| Customer credit and outstanding | 1,500,000 - 3,500,000 | 1 - 2 months |
| Sales rep mobile app | 2,000,000 - 4,500,000 | 1.5 - 2.5 months |
| Purchasing and replenishment | 1,300,000 - 3,000,000 | 1 - 2 months |
| Monthly maintenance | 200,000 - 500,000 | Recurring |
The total budget fits the 8,000,000 - 22,000,000 FCFA range depending on warehouse count and mobile depth. Maintenance covers hosting, fixes and support.
Vertical ERP vs custom: the real trade-off
A distribution ERP subscribes quickly but imposes its pricing grids and approval flows. Custom capitalises cost once and fits your credit and route practices.
| Criterion | Vertical ERP | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Go-live | 1 - 3 months | 5 - 9 months |
| Year 1 cost | 3,000,000 - 7,000,000 FCFA | 8,000,000 - 22,000,000 FCFA |
| Recurring cost year 2+ | 3,000,000 - 6,000,000 FCFA/yr | 2,400,000 - 6,000,000 FCFA/yr |
| Per-customer pricing | Standardised | Tailored |
| Sales rep mobile app | Often optional | Built in |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
Over 5 years, the vertical ERP stacks up subscriptions; custom mostly pays year one, then settles on maintenance.
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Mini case study
Mr Ndoumbe runs a materials wholesaler: 3 warehouses, 700 SKUs, 22 field reps. Stock-outs cost him roughly 6 % of lost sales on 1.8 billion FCFA of revenue, or 108,000,000 FCFA a year. The custom system is quoted at 15,000,000 FCFA plus 350,000 FCFA of monthly maintenance, or 19,200,000 FCFA in year one. By cutting stock-outs from 6 % to 2.5 % through multi-warehouse replenishment and real-time stock views, he recovers 3.5 points, or 63,000,000 FCFA of sales per year. The investment is repaid in under 4 months, before any gain on customer-credit collection.
FAQ
How much is custom distribution software in 2026? Between 8,000,000 and 22,000,000 FCFA depending on warehouse count, rep mobility and pricing granularity. Monthly maintenance runs 200,000 to 500,000 FCFA.
Can it manage several warehouses and transfers? Yes, that is the core need. The multi-warehouse module with transfers costs 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 FCFA and gives a consolidated real-time stock view.
Is the sales rep mobile app included? In a custom build, yes; budget 2,000,000 to 4,500,000 FCFA for field order-taking, stock lookup and offline customer balances.
How is customer credit controlled? The outstanding module blocks or alerts on limit breaches and tracks due dates. It costs 1,500,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA and sharply reduces unpaid invoices.
Is a vertical ERP better? Below 2 warehouses, a vertical ERP starts faster. Past 3 warehouses and complex customer pricing, custom becomes more cost-effective over 5 years.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your warehouse, SKU and mobile-rep counts, and we will frame the scope and an indicative budget in FCFA. 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.
