The verdict in three sentences
A custom distribution system costs 55,000-120,000 EUR versus 1,500-4,000 EUR/month for a standard ERP suite, integration excluded. Build wins when your price grids, discounts and EDI flows leave the standard; buy stays safer for classic processes. The real trade-off is the EDI/accounting integration cost and the number of FTEs currently tied up in re-keying.
Build vs Buy: the budget comparison
The comparison is not limited to licence price: integration and change management often weigh just as much.
| Criterion | Build (custom) | Buy (market suite) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 55,000 - 120,000 EUR | 15,000 - 60,000 EUR (integration) |
| Recurring cost | TMA 12%/yr | 1,500 - 4,000 EUR/month |
| Timeline | 16 - 24 weeks | 12 - 30 weeks |
| Fit to pricing & discounts | Total | Configurable, limited |
| 5-year cost | 120,000 - 200,000 EUR | 135,000 - 300,000 EUR |
| Vendor lock-in | Low | High |
Over five years, custom becomes competitive once suite subscriptions and add-on modules exceed 2,500 EUR/month.
The connectors that set the price
In B2B distribution, it is the integrations, not the screens, that shape budget and timeline.
| Connector / module | 2026 range (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| EDI orders/invoices (EDIFACT) | 12,000 - 30,000 | 4 - 7 wks |
| Accounting (Sage, Cegid) | 6,000 - 14,000 | 2 - 4 wks |
| Pricing, discounts, credit limits | 10,000 - 22,000 | 4 - 6 wks |
| B2B client order portal | 9,000 - 20,000 | 3 - 5 wks |
| Inventory & replenishment | 8,000 - 18,000 | 3 - 5 wks |
| WMS / picking | 10,000 - 24,000 | 4 - 6 wks |
Sovereign hosting (OVH/Scaleway, GDPR-compliant) adds 120-400 EUR/month depending on required availability.
Mini case study
Marc, CFO of a 42-employee B2B distributor in Lille, manages 1,200 SKUs on a standard suite poorly fitted to his volume discounts. Re-keying and order errors tie up 3 FTEs. He invests 88,000 EUR in a custom module with EDI, discount management and a B2B portal. Over 12 months: 35% fewer order errors, 2.5 FTEs redeployed (~92,000 EUR/year) and processing time halved. Payback lands at 13 months, including 10,600 EUR/year maintenance.
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FAQ
How much does custom distribution software cost in 2026?
Between 55,000 and 120,000 EUR depending on connectors. An orders + pricing core can start around 45,000 EUR.
Build or buy: how to decide?
If your price grids, discounts and EDI flows are specific, build avoids costly, fragile configuration. For standard processes, a market suite is faster.
How much does EDI integration cost?
Between 12,000 and 30,000 EUR depending on partner and message count (order, dispatch advice, invoice). It is the most underestimated line.
What is the deployment timeline?
16 to 24 weeks for custom. A first scope (orders + pricing) can go live in 8-10 weeks.
Is maintenance essential?
Yes, at 12%/year of software value it covers fixes, EDI evolutions and compliance. Without it, technical debt cancels the ROI.
Let's scope your project. Specify your EDI flows, pricing/discount rules and target budget, and we will quote a custom core and a costed build-vs-buy plan. 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.
