Custom warehouse software typically starts around €5,000–€15,000 for a focused MVP covering one warehouse or store operation, with phased rollouts for multi-site industrial clients. SaaS WMS alternatives look cheaper monthly but often require workarounds for LAN deployment, bilingual UX, industrial part numbering, and SAP MM integration — costs that do not appear on the subscription invoice.
What drives the price
Scope: single-location inventory vs multi-warehouse, tools tracking, gate pass modules, and approval chains. Integrations: SAP MM, Oracle-adjacent systems, spreadsheet bridges, and API complexity. Deployment: cloud vs LAN-first on-premise. UX: bilingual interfaces, photo verification, offline drafts, and role-based workflows.
Typical timeline and phasing
A focused MVP for one operational workflow usually ships in 8–14 weeks after consultation. We recommend phasing: digitize the highest-pain workflow first, prove ROI, then expand modules — rather than betting on a big-bang rollout.
How to compare three-year cost
Model SaaS subscription × 36 months plus internal workaround labor vs phased custom development tied to measurable error reduction, audit readiness, and stock visibility. For secured industrial sites, factor in data sovereignty and hosting — LAN-first can eliminate recurring cloud fees for workflows that never needed public internet.