Your business deserves the best. And you can’t get that unless you utilize business processes that work for you. Software is the top resource for “shortcuts” in our world today. When many of us encounter a problem or a task which is terribly manual, what’s the first thing we do? Find an app or software to fix that problem. Your warehouse management processes can be handled the same way whether you are a third-party logistics provider, or looking for a third-party logistics provider. Here we’ve included insight into the top 3PL WMS softwares available to enhance your business and how to maximize the benefits they offer. Enjoy!
What is 3PL in WMS?
As you likely know, 3PL stands for Third-Party Logistics. In the context of warehouse management systems (WMS), 3PL refers to a service provider that manages the storage and distribution of goods on behalf of a company. When it comes to WMS, a 3PL provider can use the software to manage their client’s inventory, track and trace goods and shipments, and optimize warehouse operations for their clients. This can include receiving, storing, picking, packing, and shipping of goods, as well as providing real-time visibility into inventory levels and order status. The 3PL provider takes care of the physical handling of goods, while the WMS software helps them to manage the inventory, orders, and logistics operations, such as tracking and reporting.
What is 3PL WMS Software?
3PL WMS software is a comprehensive and sophisticated warehouse management system designed to streamline and optimize the operations of third-party logistics companies. It encompasses a wide range of functionalities, such as inventory management, order fulfillment, transportation management, and analytics, all aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing costs, and improving the overall performance of the warehouse.
Benefits of Third-Party Logistics Software
With its advanced features and intuitive interface, 3PL software empowers logistics providers to effectively manage their warehouse operations, from receiving and storing goods, to picking and shipping orders, to tracking and reporting on inventory levels. This technology is an essential tool for companies that rely on third-party logistics providers to manage their warehouse and supply chain operations, as it enables them to gain real-time visibility into their inventory, improve their operational efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction.
How to Maximize the Benefits of 3PL WMS Software
Implementing 3PL software is just the first step in maximizing the benefits it can bring to your warehouse operations. To truly get the most out of your software, it’s essential to customize it to your specific needs. This means configuring the system to optimize it for your warehouse operations, such as automating repetitive tasks, creating custom reports, or integrating with other software. By customizing the software to your specific needs, you’ll increase efficiency and get the most out of the software.
Another key tactic to keep in mind is continuously monitoring and analyzing data. By regularly monitoring the system’s performance and analyzing the data it generates, you’ll identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed. Additionally, you can use the data to make informed decisions and optimize your operations. By doing this, you’ll keep your warehouse operations running smoothly and efficiently.
Much 3PL software also has mobile apps that allow you to access and manage your warehouse operations from anywhere, at any time. This can be especially useful for warehouse managers and supervisors who are always on the go. Utilizing this mobile capability can help you stay on top of your warehouse operations even when you’re away from the office.
Another benefit of 3PL software is the ability to plan and optimize your inventory. The software can provide real-time data and analytics, which will help you keep track of what products sell well and what products don’t. This will allow you to make informed decisions about what products to order and how much of each product to stock. By doing this, you can optimize your inventory and reduce the costs associated with overstocking or stockouts.
Finally, good 3PL software can also help you improve customer service. By providing real-time data on inventory levels and order fulfillment, you’ll provide accurate and up-to-date information to customers. This will allow you to resolve any issues quickly and improve customer satisfaction.
ShipHero’s WMS can do all this and more, check us out!
How to Get Started with 3PL WMS Software
Whenever you start with new software you must define what you need the software to do for your business. That way, once you have identified software that fits your needs, you can set it up to improve your business processes based on the KPIs you need to see improvement from. This software is often used for automating repetitive tasks, creating custom reports, or integrating with other software. And don’t forget your team. Training your team on how to use the software is crucial to ensure the smooth implementation and operation of the system. Once implemented, monitoring and analyzing the data generated by the system will help you identify areas needing adjustment and a regular maintenance cycle will ensure continuous uptime.
What Features Should You Look For in a 3PL WMS Software?
When purchasing a 3PL WMS software, it’s essential to look for specific features which will enable you to optimize your warehouse operations and gain a competitive edge in the market. Here are a few lesser-known tips and tricks to keep in mind:
- Scalability: Look for a solution that can scale your business as it grows. This will ensure the system can handle an increase in volume and complexity without any disruptions.
- Automation: Automation is key to increasing efficiency and reducing errors. Look for a solution that offers automation capabilities for tasks such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and transportation management.
- Integration: The ability to integrate with other systems and software is crucial to achieving a seamless and efficient warehouse operation. Look for a solution that can integrate with your existing systems, such as your ERP or accounting software.
- Real-time data and analytics: Real-time data and analytics is crucial for making informed decisions. Look for a solution that offers real-time data and analytics capabilities, allowing you to monitor inventory levels, track orders, and gain insights into your operations.
- Mobile compatibility: With an increasing number of warehouse workers using mobile devices, look for a solution that is mobile-compatible, allowing you to access and manage your warehouse operations from anywhere, at any time.
- Cloud-based: Cloud-based systems are increasingly popular as they can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, which can be more cost-effective than on-premises solutions.
How Much Does a 3PL WMS Software Cost
The cost of 3PL WMS software can vary widely depending on the vendor, features, functionalities, warehouse size, and number of users, and it can range from a few thousand dollars for a basic system to tens of thousands of dollars for a more advanced solution, you should also consider the ongoing costs such as maintenance, support, updates, and additional modules. Do your research, compare different options, consider the benefits the software will bring to your operations, and find the one which best fits your needs and budget, considering also that some vendors may offer lower upfront costs but have higher ongoing costs, while others may have a higher initial price but offer more features and support.
Best 3PL WMS Software
1. Shiphero
ShipHero’s WMS (Warehouse Management System) software streamlines and automates the process of managing warehouse operations with its advanced features and intuitive interface. You can easily track and manage inventory, fulfill orders, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and productivity. Using ShipHero’s WMS software saves you time and money because you can customize ShipHero’s WMS software to meet the specific needs of your business whether managing a small stockroom or a large distribution center. The software also provides real-time visibility into inventory and operations, allowing you to quickly identify and address any issues that may arise. This avoids stockouts, reduces errors, and improves customer satisfaction.
2. WithoutWire
WithoutWire’s WMS software is a cloud-based solution that helps companies manage and optimize their warehouse operations. It offers a range of features such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and real-time tracking to help businesses increase efficiency and productivity in their warehouse operations. WithoutWire software has a focus on the fashion and apparel industry, offering specific features tailored to this market such as style and size matrix management, and pre-pack functionalities. They also utilize RFID tracking and automated warehouse robots to enhance their speed.
3. Logiwa WMS
Logiwa provides a range of features such as inventory management, order fulfillment, real-time tracking, and advanced reporting to help businesses increase efficiency and productivity in their warehouse operations. This software offers advanced features such as multi-client and multi-warehouse management, and integration with multiple sales channels and shipping carriers, which can help companies to streamline their order fulfillment operations, and manage more complex logistics operations. Additionally, Logiwa WMS also offers an advanced barcode scanning functionality and mobile device compatibility, which allows for real-time inventory tracking and warehouse operations management.
4. Synapse WMS
Synapse WMS provides a range of features such as inventory management, order fulfillment, real-time tracking, and advanced reporting to help businesses increase efficiency and productivity in their warehouse operations. Synapse software offers advanced features such as multi-channel integration, EDI integration, and RFID scanning, which can help companies to streamline their order fulfillment process, and manage more complex logistics operations. Synapse also offers a more robust analytics and reporting functionality, which can help businesses make data-driven decisions about their warehouse operations.
5. 2Ship
This company focuses on leveling the playing field within shipping. Their software will search all carrier rates so you can select the best service for the best price. It is a multi-carrier shipping platform built for eCommerce businesses that help business owners know their products will be shipped in good hands. Plus through their software, you can track shipping from any carrier and you have access to performance indicators to measure their efficiency. Please note, while this is not a WMS software, it is focused on relieving your stress when it comes to your shipments so it’s a worthwhile platform to consider.
What 3PL WMS Software Does Your Business Need
Choosing the right 3PL WMS software requires a strategic approach that involves defining your business objectives, researching different software options, considering scalability, and looking for automation capabilities and integration options. By taking the time to carefully evaluate different options and considering the key factors that are essential to your business, you can ensure that you select a 3PL WMS software that is tailored to your specific needs and will help you achieve desired outcomes such as increased efficiency, reducing costs, and improved performance of your warehouse.
Key Takeaways
The WMS you choose for your company should not only fit your needs but also be easy to use. The goal here is to find software that gives you more power and time back in your day. While the initial setup of any software can be painful, the WMS you choose will likely have a consultant to help walk you through every step of the setup. If you want to speak to an eCommerce WMS expert, come chat with us at ShipHero!
3PL WMS Software FAQs
What is a Tier 1 WMS?
A Tier 1 WMS, or Warehouse Management System, is a type of software that is typically used by larger organizations or those with more complex warehouse operations. These systems tend to have a wide range of functionalities and capabilities and are typically more expensive than other types of WMS software. They are often used by companies that operate multiple warehouses, have a high volume of SKUs or require advanced features like RFID and real-time tracking. They also tend to integrate with other enterprise systems such as ERP, CRM and eCommerce platforms. Tier 1 WMS solutions are often provided by large, well-established software vendors, and are known for their robustness and scalability. They are designed for large companies with a significant investment in warehouse operations and logistics.
What are the Four Types of 3PL?
There are several different types of third-party logistics companies (3PL), but the four main types are:
- Traditional 3PL: These providers offer a wide range of logistics services, including transportation, warehousing, and distribution. They typically handle the entire logistics process from start to finish, taking on the role of a full logistics provider.
- Dedicated contract carriage: These providers focus on transportation services, such as trucking and rail, and manage a dedicated fleet of vehicles for a specific customer. They typically handle all aspects of transportation, including scheduling, routing, and compliance.
- Lead logistics provider: These providers act as a coordinator and managers of logistics services, working with multiple service providers to create a comprehensive logistics solution for a specific customer. They are typically responsible for managing the overall logistics process and coordinating with other service providers.
- Value-added logistics: These providers focus on providing specialized logistics services, such as packaging, assembly, kitting, and labeling. They typically handle only a specific aspect of the logistics process, but they add value to the overall logistics solution by providing specialized services that the customer may not have in-house.
It’s worth noting that some providers may offer a combination of these services and that the line between these categories can sometimes be blurred, depending on the specific 3PL provider and the services they offer.
What Are the Latest Trends in WMS?
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, IoT devices, and cloud technology is revolutionizing the warehouse management system (WMS) industry. AI and machine learning algorithms are used to optimize warehouse operations and provide real-time data and analytics. Robotics are used to automate tasks such as picking, packing, and transportation. And IoT devices allow for real-time monitoring and tracking of inventory and equipment, and cloud-based WMS allows warehouse managers to access their data and control their operations from anywhere at any time and also allows for easy scalability. These trends enable warehouse managers to optimize their operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
