Depending on who you ask "3PL software" can be just about anything.
For some teams it's a warehouse management system that finally just lets them ship stuff out without all the fuss. For others it's a warehousing beast that's got all the usual suspects - billing, reporting, integrations that keep 3PLs on their toes, all the while supporting a bunch of different customers across multiple locations, warehouses and of course all the usual ecommerce platforms and sales channels.
When we talk about third party logistics software, at PULPO, we're thinking about the day to day operational reality inside a 3PL warehouse, and it looks a lot like this:
Hundreds - or thousands - of different items ( SKUs ) moving in and out every single day
A never-ending list of customer rules - like packaging & inserts & carriers & SLAs - that need to be met
Different major ecommerce platforms and sales channels all feeding into the same operation
And the constant push for faster fulfillment speeds, order accuracy and complete visibility
Plus the pressure to deliver a comprehensive solution without turning the warehouse into some kind of spreadsheet nightmare
This blog breaks down just what a modern 3PL WMS should be doing, how it helps with warehouse operations, and how to work out whether a system is actually going to help you keep on top of things as you grow.
If you're running fulfillment for your own brand, you've got one set of rules to worry about. But in a 3PL, you've got a whole other set of rules - and they change every time you deal with a different client.
That's why generic supply chain management software just can't cut it when you're dealing with real life operational processes. A 3PL needs a system that's built for dealing with:
Loads of different clients with their own unique workflows
Inventory locations that change faster than you can keep up with
Strict inventory management and tracking needs
Fast onboarding of new clients, new items & new inventory
Integrations with all those other systems you're probably using ( carriers ERPs marketplaces returns tools )
Clear, auditable tracking information & order status updates
In other words: a 3PL needs a complete solution that makes the warehouse tick day to day - not a bunch of different tools stitched together.
The core of any 3PL tech stack is the 3PL warehouse management system - the system that really runs the warehouse on a day to day basis.
A top notch 3PL warehouse manager experience - the part the operator actually uses, not just the admin bits - should include:
Warehouse life is never straightforward: goods get received, moved around, relabeled, picked & returned - sometimes even ended up in cold storage or special zones.
Your system has to keep those inventory levels accurate in real time, across:
inventory locations ( bins, shelves, pallets, bulk zones )
multiple locations ( different buildings, cities, countries )
multiple warehouses under one roof
Different client accounts - so that stock never leaks between customers
If those stock levels aren't accurate then everything else falls apart - missed shipments, wrong picks, and hours lost on damage control.
A 3PL doesn't just pick an order - it runs a whole fulfillment process at scale.
Look for the things that support operational efficiency while keeping order accuracy safe, like:
smart order picking workflows
controlled scanning steps to catch mistakes
Clear exception handling ( short picks, substitutions, damaged stock )
Real time confirmation that the right item is in the right box
If you're still relying on manual processes and guesswork, you'll feel it when volume goes up or staff changes happen.
A lot of tools promise visibility but visibility isn't just about having a pretty dashboard - it's about being able to make decisions fast.
In a modern 3PL you need:
real time tracking of warehouse movements
real time visibility into what's been received, what's been allocated, what's delayed
Clear order status states ( not vague "processing" buckets )
Alerts that help you act, not just observe ( eg receive alerts for low stock, blocked orders or missed cutoffs )
This is where a proper one-dashboard experience comes in - not five tabs, three exports, and a Slack message to "ask someone in the warehouse".
3PLs live in complex ecosystems. Your clients are probably using different systems - and they expect you to plug in fast.That means third party logistics software needs to be able to connect seamlessly to:
Ecommerce platforms - and that's not just the big ones
various sales channels - marketplaces, DTC sites, wholesale portals - you name it
carrier and shipping tools
ERPs, finance tools, returns tools, and other Third party systems that are out there
Because let's face it, modern customer expectations are pretty simple: "I want my orders shipped fast, and I want updates without having to chase you myself!"
If integrations are weak, teams end up wasting time on workarounds:
Copying order info
Manually updating tracking numbers
Reconciling inventory by hand because no one automated this for us
Fixing the same errors repeatedly because no one quite figured out how to prevent them
That's just not scalable, especially when supporting fast-moving Ecommerce stores and Ecommerce brands that have real growth ambitions.
Most 3PLs don't grow by just doing standard pick-pick and pack forever
They grow by offering real value added services like:
Kitting and bundling different items together
Relabeling products for a client's brand
Custom packaging to stand out from the crowd
Inserts and marketing materials to make the product more appealing
Quality checks to ensure only perfect items get shipped
Returns processing to turn a negative into a positive
The problem is many systems just treat these as awkward notes or manual steps that nobody likes doing.
Your 3PL software should make value added services crystal clear:
Tasks are trackable, so you know what's been done and what's still to do
Labor is measurable, so you can see where the cost is going
Outputs are auditable, just in case someone needs to know
Billing inputs are structured (not some rough guess later on)
If you can't track these services properly, you either undercharge and lose out on profit, or you overcharge your client and they churn
A 3PL WMS that ignores billing is essentially leaving money on the table.
At the absolute minimum, you want billing support that can reflect real warehouse work:
Storage by pallet/bin/carton
Inbound handling
Pick/pack fees
Packaging materials
Value added services
Exceptions and special handling
And you need reporting that helps you ask the right questions like:
What's driving costs this month?
Where are we seeing reduced errors — and where are we still struggling?
Which clients are operationally heavy and which ones are easy peasy?
What are the most frequent exception reasons?
How do we improve fulfillment speed without sacrificing accuracy?
Good reporting turns raw data into better decision making that actually counts.
If you've ever rolled out a new WMS in a 3PL setting, you know the hard truth:
A system can be powerful but still fail because the team just doesn't use it properly.
That's why user interface and adoption are actually crucial. A 3PL warehouse is not the place for complicated screens and vague actions that confuse users.
A system should feel:
Cloud based (so teams can access it whenever and wherever and updates don't become a nightmare)
Intuitive enough so teams can get up and running in no time
Structured enough to enforce accuracy and prevent errors
Flexible enough to handle client variety without throwing the team into chaos
"User friendly" doesn't mean simplistic - it means clarity at the right moment, especially for warehouse execution
Here's the real checklist we see in high-performing 3PL operations - the stuff that consistently drives real results:
✅ Warehouse management that can handle multi-client operations
✅ Strong Inventory control across different inventory locations and Multiple warehouses
✅ Fast receiving and clean putaway for new inventory
✅ Reliable Inventory tracking with real-time updates
✅ Clear Order management flows from release to shipment
✅ Scanning-driven Order picking that boosts operational efficiency
✅ Accurate real time tracking and transparent order status updates
✅ Integrations with Ecommerce platforms, carriers, and other third party systems
✅ Structured support for Value added services
✅ Billing and reporting that reflect real warehouse work
✅ A true comprehensive solution that's not just a bunch of disconnected tools
When those pieces are in place, you get the outcomes that actually matter:
Better visibility across clients, inventory, and orders
Fewer fire drills and wasting time on manual fixes
Reduced errors that protect margin and trust
The ability to scale without adding chaos
A smoother customer experience for the end customers of your clients
PULPO is built around real-world warehouse execution - the part where systems either help or get in the way.
If you're evaluating third party logistics software and you want a 3PL WMS that supports multi-client warehouse operations with real-time control, clean integrations, and a practical, operator-friendly experience, then PULPO is built for that reality. Not as software for the sake of having software, but as a warehouse-first system that helps teams work a lot quicker and still keeps accuracy and visibility pretty tight.
The top 3PLs don't come out on top because they've got the coolest tech stack around.
They succeed because their system actually works the way the warehouse runs in real life:
Dealing with loads of different customers
Constant changes to what needs to get done next
Unforgiving standards for accuracy
An unrelenting push for speed
Need to know where things are and who's responsible for them
If your current set up is basically being propped up by a bunch of manual workarounds, random tools and bits and bobs of workflow then a modern warehouse management system could be the thing that turns "just getting by" into actually reaping some benefits from growth.