The verdict in three sentences
A third-party logistics provider near Amsterdam storing goods for 15 clients needs a multi-client WMS that keeps stock separate, bills storage per pallet per day and opens a client portal for each account. Market WMS platforms charge roughly 500 to 2,500 EUR a month in 2026 for this size, plus integration fees, and storage billing often ends up in spreadsheets. A Kolonell custom build sits between 7,000,000 and 15,000,000 FCFA (10,670 to 22,870 EUR), with barcode scanning and a 14 to 16-week timeline.
Market WMS or custom WMS
2026 orders of magnitude for a 6,000 m² warehouse, 4,500 pallet locations and 20 users (market estimates for licences). A Dutch agency would quote a comparable custom build at 80,000 to 200,000 EUR.
| Criterion | Market SaaS WMS | Kolonell custom WMS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 3,000 to 12,000 EUR integration | 10,670 to 22,870 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 500 to 2,500 EUR a month | 180 EUR a month Premium maintenance + 90 to 150 EUR hosting |
| 3-year cost | 21,000 to 102,000 EUR | 20,390 to 34,750 EUR |
| Multi-client (separate stock) | Depends on edition, often the top tier | Native |
| Storage billing | Export to accounting | Automatic per pallet per day |
| Client portal | Paid option | Included, real-time stock view |
| Invoice payment | Bank transfer | Bank transfer, iDEAL, card |
| Annual price increases | 5 to 10 % common | None on the build, fixed quote |
Licence increases of 5 to 10 % a year weigh noticeably over three years, especially when priced per user.
Picking errors and licences avoided
Assumption: 250 orders picked per day, 26 working days, average cost per error of 25 EUR (rework, return shipping, client penalty).
| Monthly indicator | Spreadsheets and paper pick lists | WMS with barcode scanning |
|---|---|---|
| Orders picked | 6,500 | 6,500 |
| Picking error rate | 2.5 % | 0.3 % |
| Errors per month | 162 | 20 |
| Cost of errors | 4,050 EUR | 500 EUR |
| Cycle count variance | 3 to 4 % | under 0.5 % |
| Storage missed in billing | 3 to 5 % of storage revenue | 0 % |
| WMS licence avoided (mid range) | not applicable | 1,500 EUR |
On storage revenue of 120,000 EUR a month, recovering 4 % of missed billing adds 4,800 EUR every month.
Scope and schedule
| Module | Scope | Share of budget | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving and put-away | ASN, inspection, labels, locations | 20 % | 3 weeks |
| Multi-client stock | Batches, expiry dates, statuses, cycle counts | 20 % | 3 weeks |
| Picking and shipping | Waves, scanning, signed delivery notes | 20 % | 3 weeks |
| Logistics billing | Rate card per client, pallet per day, movements, extras | 15 % | 2 weeks |
| Client portal | Real-time stock, orders, documents, invoices | 15 % | 2 weeks |
| Dashboards | Occupancy, productivity, profitability per client | 10 % | 1 to 2 weeks |
Android barcode terminals cost about 400 to 900 EUR each: plan 8 to 10 units for 2 shifts. A first release with receiving, stock and picking can run from week 10.
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Illustrative example: Pieter, managing director of a 3PL near Schiphol, stores for 15 e-commerce and import clients. The WMS cuts error costs from 4,050 to 500 EUR a month, a 3,550 EUR gain. Automatic billing recovers 4,800 EUR of missed storage, and he avoids a 1,500 EUR licence. Monthly gain: about 9,850 EUR, minus 300 EUR of maintenance and hosting. For a project of about 16,800 EUR, payback arrives around month 2 after go-live.
FAQ
How much does a custom WMS cost for an Amsterdam 3PL in 2026?
With Kolonell, 7,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA (10,670 to 22,870 EUR) depending on clients, sites and integrations. Premium maintenance is 120,000 FCFA (180 EUR) a month.
How long does it take to deploy?
Allow 14 to 16 weeks for the full scope. A receiving, stock and picking release can run from week 10.
Does each client only see their own stock?
Yes, the client portal partitions data per account. Each client sees stock, orders and invoices 24/7.
Can the WMS connect to our accounting and carriers?
Yes, through standard accounting exports or APIs. Each connector usually adds 1 to 2 weeks and 750 to 2,300 EUR to the budget.
Can clients pay invoices online?
Yes, each logistics invoice can carry an iDEAL or card payment link alongside bank transfer. Smaller clients paying under 3,000 EUR a month tend to settle faster this way.
Let's scope your project. Share your floor area, number of clients and daily orders: we price your WMS in the 7,000,000 to 15,000,000 FCFA tier (10,670 to 22,870 EUR), delivered in 14 to 16 weeks. 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.
