Use a price list when many product prices belong to one recognizable agreement. Use a customer-specific price when a small exception belongs directly to one customer. Use group pricing when a broad segment receives the same rule. Use a private catalog when assortment visibility is part of the requirement.
Four models
| Model | Business object | Typical example |
|---|---|---|
| Named price list | Agreement with products, dates, and assignments | Annual distributor contract |
| Customer-specific price | Product and customer exception | One account receives a special price for one SKU |
| Customer-group pricing | Segment-level price or rule | All dealers receive the same discount |
| Private catalog | Product access plus pricing | One company sees a restricted assortment |
Why named lists are easier to govern
A list can be approved, activated, copied, expired, replaced, exported, and assigned as a unit. That mirrors how sales teams often discuss a contract. It also makes it easier to answer which products belonged to the agreement and when it was valid.
The tradeoff is setup. A one-off exception may not justify a whole list. Hundreds of one-product lists are often a sign that direct customer pricing is the clearer model.
Why group pricing is not always a contract
Customer groups are excellent for stable segments. They become awkward when two customers in the same group negotiate different products, dates, or volume steps. Splitting groups for every commercial variation can make tax, permissions, promotions, and reporting harder to understand.
SoftwareSilo Price Lists can still use customer groups as an assignment route, while keeping each commercial agreement separate from the group itself.
Quantity tiers are another dimension
Tier pricing answers what happens when quantity changes. It does not by itself explain who owns the agreement, how long it applies, or how several agreements interact. A named list can contain quantity tiers and keep that context.
A practical selection rule
- Choose a list for a recurring set of negotiated products.
- Choose direct customer pricing for isolated exceptions.
- Choose group pricing for a broad, stable segment.
- Choose a private catalog when access to products must change.
- Combine models only after defining which source wins.
Related reading
Last reviewed: August 9, 2026.