Custom Software & Products · Trading & Distribution
A multi-currency trading platform gave a Dubai distribution group 18% more margin visibility
A GCC distribution group priced deals without knowing landed cost. We built a multi-currency trading platform that computes landed cost and true margin at quote time across six countries and four currencies.
- Client
- Confidential distribution group
- Region
- Dubai, UAE
- Timeline
- 6 months to go-live
- Team
- 8 specialists
18%
Improvement in margin visibility at quote
6
Countries operating on one platform
4
Currencies with live FX handling
70%
Less time to produce a quote
Context
The situation we found
GCC distribution group trading across six countries and four currencies
Engagement model: Custom build + dedicated team extension
Quotes were built in spreadsheets using last-known FX and estimated freight. Actual margin only surfaced after shipment, customs and settlement — often weeks later and frequently below target.
Challenge
What was blocking the business
The constraints that had to be resolved before any technology decision mattered.
Approach
How we solved it
The decisions that produced the outcome, not a feature list.
Landed cost engine at quote time
Freight, duty, insurance and handling modelled per lane and per HS code so quotes carry a computed landed cost, not a guess.
Multi-currency ledger with FX policy
Transactions recorded in deal currency and base currency, with configurable FX rate sources and hedging policy applied at quote approval.
Bilingual, RTL-ready interface
Arabic and English throughout, with correct RTL layout, numerals and document generation for local compliance.
Stock-in-transit visibility
Shipments, containers and warehouse stock unified into one availability view used by sales at quoting time.
Delivery roadmap
How the programme ran
- 01
Commercial discovery · 4 weeks
Deal lifecycle mapping, cost model design and compliance requirements per market.
- 02
Platform build · 12 weeks
Quoting, landed cost engine, multi-currency ledger and inventory visibility.
- 03
Localisation & compliance · 4 weeks
Arabic RTL, VAT treatments, customs documents and approval workflows.
- 04
Rollout · 6 weeks
Country-by-country rollout, training and performance tuning.
Results
What changed after go-live
Measured in the client's own systems against the baseline captured in discovery.
Client view
In their words
“We used to learn our real margin after settlement. Now we see it before the quote leaves the building.”
Group Commercial Director
Commercial Director, Confidential distribution group
Stack & integrations
What it was built on
Technology stack
Integrations
Capabilities used
Services and platforms behind this work
FAQ
Questions about this engagement
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