Blog
Packaging automation, tool by tool.
Fair comparisons of the tools packaging businesses run, and how to automate the work between them.
Comparisons
Two tools packaging businesses choose between, compared fairly.
- ComparisonCartonCloud vs Extensiv for packaging stockholdingHow CartonCloud and Extensiv compare for holding packaging stock for brands and running call-offs, and how Otopack automates the work around either one.
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 - ComparisonMachShip vs Shippit for pallet freightHow MachShip and Shippit compare for packaging distributors shipping pallets and cartons, and how Otopack automates booking and proof of delivery.
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 - ComparisonPageProof vs Ziflow for packaging proof roundsHow PageProof and Ziflow compare for packaging suppliers running proof rounds with brands, and how Otopack links either one to the order.
PageProof
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 - ComparisonXero vs MYOB for packaging distributorsHow Xero and MYOB compare for Australian packaging distributors, when accounting software is enough, and how Otopack automates the packaging work around either one.
Last reviewed 29 September 2026
Roundups
The tools in each category, what they do and who they suit.
- RoundupPackaging ERP and Business Central add-ons compared (2026)The ERPs packaging converters and distributors run in Australia and the USA, the packaging add-ons for Microsoft Business Central, and where Otopack fits alongside them.
Microsoft Dynamics
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 - RoundupSupplier, customer setup and reorder tools for packaging distributors (2026)The tools packaging distributors use to manage suppliers, set up new brands and take reorders, and where Otopack fits alongside them.
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 - RoundupThe best artwork proofing tools for packaging suppliers (2026)Online proofing and artwork management tools for packaging converters and printers, what each one costs where published, and where Otopack fits alongside them.PageProof
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 - RoundupThe best packaging quoting and estimating software in Australia and the USA (2026)The quoting and estimating tools packaging converters and distributors use in 2026, what each one suits, and where Otopack fits alongside them.
Last reviewed 29 September 2026 - RoundupWarehouse, 3PL and dispatch software for packaging distributors (2026)The warehouse, 3PL and freight tools packaging distributors in Australia and the USA use for stockholding, call-offs and delivery, and where Otopack fits alongside them.
Last reviewed 29 September 2026
How-to
Real packaging workflows, automated step by step.
- How-toConnecting Business Central and CartonCloud across six warehouses: what we learnedLessons from a live setup that syncs Business Central and CartonCloud stock across six 3PL warehouses, so nobody keys stock or items twice.Microsoft DynamicsLast reviewed 12 October 2026
- How-toHow to automate new brand credit checks with Xero and CreditorWatchA step by step look at checking a new packaging customer with CreditorWatch and creating the account in Xero, without keying the details twice.Last reviewed 29 September 2026
- How-toHow to automate supplier RFQs in Business CentralAutomate packaging supplier RFQs in Business Central, from one spec sent to every approved converter to a purchase order with the approved artwork.Microsoft DynamicsLast reviewed 29 September 2026
- How-toHow to stop re-keying call-offs into CartonCloudA step by step look at automating packaging call-offs, from a brand's email to an outbound order in CartonCloud, tracking and proof of delivery.Microsoft DynamicsLast reviewed 29 September 2026
Series
Proof Checked
The small artwork mistakes that get cartons pulped, and the check that catches each one.
Read Proof CheckedMicrosoft Dynamics and its logo are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. CartonCloud and its logo are trademarks of CartonCloud. Transvirtual and its logo are trademarks of Transvirtual. Extensiv and its logo are trademarks of Extensiv. Xero and its logo are trademarks of Xero Limited. CreditorWatch and its logo are trademarks of CreditorWatch. MachShip and its logo are trademarks of MachShip. Shippit and its logo are trademarks of Shippit. PrintVis and its logo are trademarks of PrintVis. Pronto Xi and its logo are trademarks of Pronto Software. Epicor Prophet 21 and its logo are trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation. PageProof and its logo are trademarks of PageProof. Ziflow and its logo are trademarks of Ziflow. Access Intell and its logo are trademarks of Access Intell. BigCommerce B2B Edition and its logo are trademarks of BigCommerce. HubSpot and its logo are trademarks of HubSpot, Inc.. Filestage and its logo are trademarks of Filestage. Esko WebCenter and its logo are trademarks of Esko. Amtech (EnCore, Label Traxx) and its logo are trademarks of Amtech Software. ePS (Radius, Tharstern) and its logo are trademarks of ePS. printIQ and its logo are trademarks of printIQ. MYOB and its logo are trademarks of MYOB. Otopack is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft Corporation or CartonCloud or Transvirtual or Extensiv or Xero Limited or CreditorWatch or MachShip or Shippit or PrintVis or Pronto Software or Epicor Software Corporation or PageProof or Ziflow or Access Intell or BigCommerce or HubSpot, Inc. or Filestage or Esko or Amtech Software or ePS or printIQ or MYOB.