The Best 3PL Shipping Tracking Software Features You Shouldn't Ignore

Managing a third-party logistics provider (3PL) requires simultaneously handling different clients, carriers, and warehouses. The majority of the players rely on spreadsheets, emails, and disjointed software. What's the outcome? Errors occur. Customers are unable to track their orders. Invoicing is a long process. There is no further growth, as you simply cannot take more volume without chaos.

This is the reason why the right 3PL shipping tracking software is indispensable. It isn't merely a matter of having an extra tool. It is about merging everything into one system that integrates and functions together.

When Spreadsheets Turn into Your Biggest Enemy 

Let’s be honest. For simple operations, spreadsheets are still reasonable. But managing numerous clients, different sales channels, and various carriers at once? It is a nightmare, indeed.

The productivity of your team is eroded by hours spent copying data every day. Wrong information is given. Customers cannot see their orders. Invoicing takes a long time and creates misunderstandings. The growth is still there, but the volume is so big that the only way to keep up is to hire more workers for manual tasks.

The underlying cause? You are up against software tools not designed for 3PLs. They are made for something else, and you are struggling to fit them into your workflow. This is tiring.

What Distinguishes Good 3PL Software from Others?

Real-Time Visibility

Just think about it, when you log in, you see everything at once. Where are all the packages? What is the total stock for every warehouse? And which orders are delayed?

Real-time visibility can be a huge differentiator in deciding whether a problem will be detected in time or whether the client will be lost. A late shipment? You are informed within minutes. An inventory reduction? The system warns you before running out of stock. Wrong warehouse? You detect it before dispatch.

ShipGenius displays everything on a single dashboard. Orders. Shipments. Inventory. Carrier info. Nothing is hidden.

Properly Managed Multi-Client and Multi-Carrier

Your 3PL customers are different in every possible way. Customer A is a USPS-only shipper. Customer B uses FedEx for heavy shipments and UPS for light ones. Customer C has their carriers and accounts.

With an inadequate tool, you'll be supervising a disorder. Various spreadsheets for various clients. Different rules for different carriers. Manual input all over.

An authentic 3PL tracking solution takes care of all this from a single point. You set rules once. The software does the application automatically. No manual decision-making. No errors. ShipGenius provides unlimited client management with individualized fulfillment logic for each.

Billing That Doesn't Make You Want to Quit

Manual billing for different clients is a nightmare. The whole process takes a lot of time, and there is a possibility of errors in calculation. Moreover, the clients are left in the dark as money can get lost along the way.

What if the whole billing process were automatic? You would only need to set the rules once, and the system would do all the calculations. Invoices would be generated automatically, and that would be the end of disputes and confusion.

An automated billing engine can free up more than 10 hours of your working time each week.

Automation: Your Secret Weapon

Your team does the same monotonous tasks every day. The first task is to choose a carrier, then select packaging, generate labels, and route the orders. It is not interesting; it is just manual work, and mistakes might occur.

Your software is capable of doing this automatically. The automation of the 3PL shipment monitoring tool reduces label creation time by 50% and reduces errors by 80%.

One Platform. Every Channel. All Connected.

Your customers are selling everywhere you can imagine.

Not being connected to all those channels means that the orders are going to come in separately. Your team will input them one at a time. That will cost time. That will also lead to mistakes. It will be a mess.

Up-to-date 3PL delivery tracking software links with all the major platforms. Orders automatically come in from all places. Shipment updates are sent back to all platforms. Stock is always updated. Your customers can see the real situation without any manual work or delay.

The Client Portal Game Changer

Your customers are eager to know the current locations of the shipments. Besides, they want to verify the inventory and download data. But you cannot grant them unrestricted access to the entire system.

A client portal integrated into the system is a secure way of access. The customers look at and work with only their data. They monitor the orders. They verify the inventory. They are no longer sending you emails asking, “Where is my shipment?” This little thing has a significant impact on how the customers view you.

The Missing Piece: Warehouse Operations

As the business expands, the need for more warehouses arises. There will be more SKUs and an increase in the level of operations. Your system is also required to scale alongside your business.

A warehouse management system (WMS) ensures that the processes of storing and picking are done in the most efficient way. A cartonization API determines the box size that will be most suitable for each order. Thus, less packaging material is used. Shipping weight is also lighter. Packing time is also reduced.

You are not merely monitoring the delivery of goods; you are also streamlining the whole business process.

Why ShipGenius Is Different

We developed ShipGenius for third-party logistics providers (3PLs) who are fed up with piecing together five different tools. We were aware of the problem informally. That is why we created one platform that accommodates everything.

Live tracking. Unlimited clients, each having separate rules. Automated Billing. 

Connections with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, Walmart, and Etsy. A built-in client portal. Warehouse management. All-in-one 3PL logistics tracking platform.

You are not incurring the expense of five different subscriptions. You are not signing in and out of varying systems. You are not handling data that is not synchronized. Everything is here. Making connections. Functioning in collaboration.

The Real Cost of Waiting

Each day of delay means the staff has to do things manually. A day with no client viewing. A day that causes billing issues. A day when you cease to grow because the existing tools can't cope with it. 

The ideal time to acquire the proper software was yesterday. The next best time is now. 

So, if you are searching for a full picture of how 3PL software fits with your overall growth strategy? Visit our pillar post, "Unlock the Power of 3PL Warehouse Management Software for Profitable Growth," which outlines the bigger vision of scaling your operation profitably.

Start Here

Write down the issues that bother you the most. What areas are chaotic? Where are you losing the most time? Which clients are the most dissatisfied? Now look for software that addresses those specific issues, all in one place.

The right software not only gives you back time. Its impact is beyond the operation. It results in a happier and more productive team. It also results in satisfied clients creating an ecosystem that can support growth. That's why it is worth the investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is 3PL shipping tracking software? It's a platform that helps third-party logistics companies manage orders, shipments, inventory, and billing all in one place. Instead of using multiple disconnected tools, everything works together in one system.

How much time can 3PL software actually save? Most operators save 10-15 hours per week on manual tasks like billing, label creation, and order entry. Some save even more depending on how much manual work you're currently doing.

Do I need a WMS (Warehouse Management System)? If you have multiple warehouses or high order volume, yes. A WMS helps optimize inventory placement, picking, and packing. If you're just starting, you can grow into it later.

Can 3PL software integrate with my existing systems? Good 3PL software integrates with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce, and eBay. It also connects with most major carriers. Check the integration list before choosing a platform.

Is 3PL software expensive? It depends on the platform and your volume. Most charge per shipment or offer tiered pricing. Calculate what you're currently spending on manual labor and multiple tools; most operators break even quickly.