The verdict in three sentences
A wholesaler managing multi-warehouse stock in spreadsheets suffers stockouts and overstock that erode 1.5 to 3 % of revenue. A vertical ERP (EUR 30-100 per user per month) suits a standard wholesaler, while a custom build (EUR 60,000-150,000 in 2026) is required once you combine several sites, complex customer pricing and EDI. The real lever is real-time cross-site stock visibility: it turns stockouts into anticipated replenishment.
Off-the-shelf vs custom: the 2026 comparison
Market vertical ERPs cover the purchasing-stock-sales core. Custom becomes relevant for specific pricing rules, customer EDI integrations or atypical multi-site logistics.
| Criterion | Market vertical ERP | Custom by Kolonell |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 cost (20 users) | EUR 7,200 - 24,000 | EUR 60,000 - 150,000 |
| Year 2+ cost | EUR 7,200 - 24,000/yr | EUR 8,000 - 18,000/yr (maintenance) |
| Multi-site / warehouses | Standard | Custom, unlimited |
| Complex customer pricing | Limited | Fully configurable |
| Accounting / EDI link | Paid modules | Native, your formats |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Go-live time | 2 - 5 months | 4 - 7 months |
For 20 users, a vertical ERP at EUR 60/month is EUR 14,400/yr. Over 5 years that exceeds EUR 72,000 without ever owning the tool: custom typically breaks even between year 3 and 4 for a multi-site wholesaler.
Cost per site and stockout-avoidance ROI
The real metric for distribution software is tied-up stock and sales lost to stockouts. Here are the modules and their impact.
| Module | Purpose | 2026 gain |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time multi-site stock | Consolidated warehouse view | -30 % stockouts |
| Automatic replenishment | Thresholds and forecasts | -20 % overstock |
| Customer pricing & discounts | Grids by segment | +1 to 2 margin points |
| Customer orders / EDI | Client flow integration | -50 % data entry |
| Supplier purchasing | Delay and dispute tracking | -15 % delays |
| Turnover reporting | Turn rate per item | Reliable buying decisions |
The real-time multi-site stock module is the top ROI driver: seeing availability across every warehouse instantly lets you transfer instead of buy, and stop losing sales to stockouts.
Mini case study
Claire, director of a 3-warehouse wholesaler with EUR 45M revenue in Lyon, loses about 1.8 % of sales to stockouts, i.e. EUR 810,000/yr of unrealized revenue. Her buyers also spend 10 h/week consolidating stock across warehouses.
With a custom tool at EUR 110,000 (real-time stock, auto replenishment, EDI), Claire cuts stockouts by 30 %: about EUR 240,000 of recovered revenue, i.e. at 12 % margin an estimated gain of EUR 29,000/yr. Automatic consolidation frees 8 h/week of buying (about EUR 18,000/yr), and replenishment cuts overstock by 20 %, freeing cash. Estimated payback in about 2 years.
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FAQ
Does a single-site wholesaler need custom?
Rarely. A vertical ERP at EUR 30-60 per user per month covers the essentials at EUR 7,000-15,000/yr. Custom is justified from 2-3 warehouses or complex pricing rules.
What does real-time multi-site stock actually bring?
It eliminates sales lost to stockouts by showing cross-warehouse availability, enabling transfers instead of purchases. It's the best-ROI module in distribution.
Can our key accounts' EDI be integrated?
Yes, often decisive. EDI integration removes re-keying of customer orders and reduces errors. Budget EUR 10,000-25,000 depending on formats and number of partners.
How long to deploy?
4 to 7 months for custom, with a pilot warehouse live by month 4. Stock and item data migration is scoped upfront.
What annual maintenance budget?
EUR 8,000-18,000/yr, i.e. 12-15 % of development cost, for upgrades, hosting and support, versus heavier recurring licences at high volume.
Let's scope your project. Share your number of warehouses, users and target accounting/EDI integrations: we'll price market ERP vs custom with an indicative budget. 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.
