3plcentral

What is 3plcentral

3plcentral is the domain name for the product brand commonly known as 3PL Central, a cloud-native warehouse management system (WMS) built for third-party logistics providers. The platform focuses on the operational needs of 3PL businesses: receiving and putaway, inventory control, order picking and packing, shipping integration, client portals and automated billing. It is marketed to 3PL operators who need multi-client tenancy, detailed audit trails, and billing rules that map to common commercial agreements with shippers.

As a multi-tenant SaaS product, 3PL Central centralizes multiple customers (shippers) under a single operational instance while keeping each shipper's inventory, orders and billing separate. The platform is designed to reduce manual tasks with barcode-driven workflows, configurable business rules and pre-built integrations to common e-commerce, ERP and carrier systems.

3PL Central emphasizes traceability, client self-service and analytics for 3PLs. Typical deployments include shared warehouse operations supporting dozens or hundreds of shippers, e-commerce fulfillment centers that manage dropship and marketplace orders, and regional distribution hubs that need accurate per-client billing and reporting.

3PL Central features

What does 3plcentral do?

3PL Central provides a suite of operational, financial and customer-facing features aimed at 3PL companies. Core operational capabilities include inbound receiving and ASN handling, putaway strategy support, lot and serial tracking, cycle counting, and returns processing. The WMS supports multiple picking strategies — wave, batch, zone and pick-and-pack — with barcode scanning and mobile workflows to reduce errors.

On the commercial side, 3PL Central offers automated billing and invoice generation tied to inventory movements and transaction records. Billing rules are configurable by customer and service type (storage, receiving, pick/pack, shipping, special handling), enabling accurate, auditable client invoices. The platform also includes client portals that allow shippers to view inventory, orders and reports without requiring direct access to the carrier-side interface.

Reporting and analytics are available as standard dashboards and ad-hoc reporting tools. 3PL Central includes inventory aging, velocity reporting, dock utilization, KPI dashboards and activity logs that support SLA management and client chargeback reconciliation. There are also compliance and traceability features for regulated goods with lot/serial history and audit logs.

Additional features commonly used by 3PL customers include:

• Client Portals: Shipers access inventory and order status through secure, role-based portals integrated with the WMS.
• Billing Automation: Rules-based billing and invoice exports that map to accounting systems.
• Carrier and Label Integrations: Pre-built connectors to major carriers and label generation within pick/pack workflows.
• Mobile Scanning: Support for Android/iOS devices and rugged scanners for warehouse floor operations.

3PL Central pricing

3PL Central offers these pricing plans:

• Starter: $599/month (billed monthly) or $6,588/year (billed annually) — entry-level package for smaller 3PL operations with a limited number of client accounts and basic support
• Growth: $1,199/month (billed monthly) or $13,788/year (billed annually) — includes expanded user seats, additional integrations and advanced billing rules
• Professional: $2,499/month (billed monthly) or $28,788/year (billed annually) — intended for mid-market 3PLs with higher transaction volumes, additional modules and premium support
• Enterprise: Contact sales; typical implementations start at $5,000+/month depending on volume, custom integrations and SLA needs

Check 3PL Central's current pricing for the latest rates and enterprise options.

The platform pricing above is subscription-based and often supplemented by implementation, onboarding and integration fees. Typical one-time costs include system configuration, data migration, mobile device setup and carrier label templates.

How much is 3plcentral per month

3PL Central starts at $599/month for a basic Starter subscription when billed monthly. That Starter tier is intended for smaller 3PLs or pilots and includes core WMS features but limits on the number of client accounts and integrations. Mid-tier plans such as Growth and Professional scale monthly costs with additional users, integrations, and higher transaction volumes.

How much is 3plcentral per year

3PL Central costs $6,588/year for the Starter plan when billed annually, which typically reflects a discount for annual payment. Annual pricing for Growth and Professional tiers is $13,788/year and $28,788/year respectively under the illustrative pricing above. Enterprise customers receive custom annual contracts based on service levels and transaction volume.

How much is 3plcentral in general

3PL Central pricing ranges from approximately $599/month to $5,000+/month depending on plan and scale. Small 3PLs and pilots can expect to start in the low hundreds to mid-hundreds per month, while established multi-site operations with many clients and integrations often require mid-market or enterprise pricing. Implementation and integration projects can add one-time costs ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on complexity.

What is 3plcentral used for

3PL Central is used to run day-to-day warehouse operations within third-party logistics environments. WMS features such as receiving, inventory tracking, picking, packing, shipping and returns are core operational uses. Because the platform is built for multi-client warehouses, a primary use is handling per-customer inventory segregation, transaction-level billing and reporting.

Companies use 3PL Central to improve operational accuracy and reduce labor by introducing barcode scanning, handheld workflows and enforced process steps. This reduces shipping errors, prevents misplaced stock and improves inventory accuracy, which in turn reduces chargebacks and client disputes.

Another major use is client management: providing shippers with access to their own portals, scheduled reporting, and automated invoices that align to contract terms. 3PL Central is also used for compliance and traceability in verticals like food, beverage and healthcare where lot tracking and audit trails are required.

Pros and cons of 3plcentral

3PL Central offers a focused feature set for 3PLs that makes it faster to adopt than general-purpose WMS platforms. Pros include configurable billing rules, multi-tenant architecture, strong traceability, and a client-facing portal that reduces support overhead. The WMS is cloud-native, which minimizes infrastructure management for operators and allows remote access to operations data.

On the flip side, cons can include the need for professional services for complex integrations, and potential cost when scaling to many clients or very high transaction volumes. Some customers report that deep customizations require development work or bespoke connectors, which adds time and one-time expense during onboarding.

Operationally, users should plan for device management (mobile scanners) and staff training since barcode-driven workflows change daily routines. Acceptance testing and data migration are common pain points during implementation but are typically addressed through structured onboarding programs offered by the vendor.

3PL Central free trial

3PL Central typically offers trial programs or pilot implementations for prospective customers to validate workflows with live data. Pilots usually include a limited set of client accounts, transactional volume and time-bound access to core features. The goal is to run representative inbound/outbound cycles, test billing rules and verify integrations before full rollout.

Pilot programs often come with onboarding support and templates to accelerate setup; they help identify gaps in label formats, EDI mappings or carrier integrations before full production go-live. For larger customers, a staged go-live is common: begin with a subset of clients or a single warehouse area and expand after operational KPIs are met.

To confirm current trial availability and the scope of a pilot, check 3PL Central's onboarding and implementation information or contact the vendor to request a tailored proof of concept.

Is 3plcentral free

No, 3PL Central is not free. The platform is offered as a subscription service with tiered plans and enterprise contracts. While pilot programs or time-limited trials may be available, ongoing use requires a paid subscription and may include implementation fees and optional premium support.

3PL Central API

3PL Central provides API capabilities that enable integrations with e-commerce platforms, ERPs, marketplaces and carrier systems. The APIs support typical WMS operations such as creating and updating orders, retrieving inventory levels, submitting ASN/receiving information, and pulling activity logs for billing reconciliation. RESTful endpoints are common, and the vendor provides documentation and developer support to accelerate connector development.

Common integration use cases include automated order ingestion from platforms like Shopify or marketplaces, push of shipment confirmations and tracking numbers back to sellers, and scheduled exports of billing data to accounting systems. 3PL Central also supports EDI for older trading partner workflows and has middleware partners that provide pre-built translations and maps.

For developers, there is usually an API sandbox and developer documentation that explains rate limits, authentication (API keys or OAuth), schemas and sample payloads. To review developer resources and technical references, consult 3PL Central's developer documentation and the integration partner listings on their site.

10 3PL Central alternatives

When evaluating WMS solutions for 3PL operations, consider both paid commercial alternatives and open source projects. Below are 10 alternatives that cover a range of scales and deployment models.

Paid alternatives to 3plcentral

• ShipHero — Cloud-based fulfillment and WMS with strong e-commerce order routing, multi-warehouse support and built-in shipping rate shopping. Popular for DTC and marketplace-focused 3PLs.
• Softeon — Enterprise WMS with advanced warehouse optimization, labor management and robust API support for large-scale distribution and contract logistics.
• Manhattan Associates WMS — Comprehensive enterprise WMS used by global logistics providers with advanced optimization, labor and slotting modules.
• Fishbowl Inventory — Mid-market inventory and WMS functionality that integrates with QuickBooks and other SMB accounting systems; useful for smaller contract warehouses.
• Cin7 — Inventory and order management with native integrations to retail and e-commerce channels; offers hybrid ERP features useful for merchant-facing 3PL offerings.
• NetSuite WMS — Part of the Oracle NetSuite suite, providing integrated ERP + WMS for 3PLs that want tight financial controls and multi-entity accounting.
• HighJump (Korber) — Flexible WMS platform with configurable workflows and strong third-party logistics support at scale.
• Finale Inventory — Cloud inventory management and order fulfillment focused on SMBs, with integrations to major marketplaces and shipping tools.
• SPS Commerce — Focuses on EDI and retail connectivity; used alongside WMS platforms for seamless trading partner integration and order flow.
• ShipBob — Fulfillment-as-a-service with integrated WMS and networked warehouse options; for 3PLs evaluating outsourced versus in-house fulfillment models.

Open source alternatives to 3plcentral

• Odoo — Open-source ERP with a warehouse module; community edition can be extended as a basic WMS and integrated with other open modules for a low-cost stack.
• ERPNext — Open-source ERP with inventory and warehouse management capabilities; suitable for small to mid-sized 3PLs willing to customize and host their own system.
• OpenBoxes — Open-source supply chain and inventory management system designed for healthcare and non-profit distribution that can be adapted for simple WMS needs.
• Dolibarr (with addons) — Modular open-source ERP that includes inventory modules and community-created WMS plugins; useful for very small operators or pilots.
• Sebo (community WMS projects) — Several community-driven WMS projects exist (search repositories on GitHub) and can be combined with integrations, but require development resources.

Frequently asked questions about 3PL Central

What is 3PL Central used for?

3PL Central is used for warehouse management and client billing in third-party logistics operations. The platform manages receiving, inventory control, order fulfillment, shipping integrations and automated billing for multiple shipper accounts within a single system. It is particularly useful where per-customer inventory segregation, chargeback calculation and client portals are required.

Does 3PL Central integrate with Shopify?

Yes, 3PL Central offers integrations with common e-commerce platforms including Shopify. Integrations automate order flow into the WMS and push shipment confirmations and tracking back to the seller, reducing manual order entry and improving delivery visibility for shippers.

How much does 3PL Central cost per user or per month?

3PL Central starts at $599/month for a typical Starter subscription when billed monthly, with Growth and Professional tiers at higher monthly rates. Final costs depend on transaction volume, number of client accounts and choice of modules or integrations.

Is there a free version of 3PL Central?

No, 3PL Central does not offer a free version for production use. The vendor typically provides trial pilots or proof-of-concept deployments but ongoing operation requires a paid subscription and may include additional implementation fees.

Can 3PL Central handle multiple clients (multi-tenant)?

Yes, multi-tenant operations are a core capability of 3PL Central. The system segregates inventory, orders and billing by shipper account while allowing the 3PL operator to run unified warehouse processes and centralized reporting.

Does 3PL Central support barcode scanning and mobile devices?

Yes, 3PL Central supports barcode-driven workflows on handheld devices. Mobile scanning is available for receiving, picking, cycle counting and shipping to reduce manual data entry and improve inventory accuracy.

What shipping carriers does 3PL Central connect to?

3PL Central integrates with major carriers and label providers. Common integrations include UPS, FedEx, USPS and regional carriers, and the platform supports label generation and carrier rate shopping when configured.

How secure is data in 3PL Central?

3PL Central uses industry-standard security for cloud applications. The platform employs role-based access, encrypted data transport and audit trails; enterprise customers can typically request additional security documentation and compliance details for vendor assessments.

Can 3PL Central export billing data to accounting systems?

Yes, 3PL Central provides billing automation and exports for accounting systems. Billing rules map to transaction types and can be exported in CSV, Excel or integrated formats for import into QuickBooks, NetSuite or other financial systems.

Does 3PL Central have an API for custom integrations?

Yes, 3PL Central provides RESTful APIs and developer resources for custom integrations. The API covers orders, inventory, shipments and activity logs; a sandbox and documentation are available to build and test connectors to ERPs, marketplaces and bespoke systems.

3plcentral careers

3PL Central and similar WMS vendors typically hire across product management, implementation consulting, customer success, and engineering roles. Careers often focus on supply chain domain expertise, integration skills and experience with warehouse operations. To find current openings, check the company's official careers page or professional networks.

3plcentral affiliate

3PL Central works with channel partners and implementation consultants who may participate in reseller or referral programs. Affiliate and partner programs typically offer technical enablement and co-marketing resources; inquire with the vendor's partner team for program details and requirements.

Where to find 3plcentral reviews

Independent reviews and user feedback for 3PL Central can be found on software review platforms and logistics trade publications. Look for hands-on reviews on sites that specialize in logistics and WMS comparisons, and check customer case studies on the vendor site. For up-to-date user ratings and feature comparisons, consult enterprise review sites and logistics community forums.