Packaging distributors often hold printed stock for each brand and deliver it on call-off. That means a warehouse system, a way to book freight, and proof of delivery before the invoice goes out. The software for each of those steps is mature. The work between them usually is not.
This roundup covers the warehouse, 3PL and freight tools packaging distributors use in Australia and the USA.
How we chose
We included warehouse and freight tools used by small to mid-size distributors and their 3PLs, with public information on what they do and where they operate. Enterprise systems costing millions to implement are mentioned but not compared. Pricing is shown only where published or reported by a named third party.
What to look for
- Stock by brand. You need stock on hand for each brand and SKU, with batch and received dates.
- Outbound orders from call-offs. Brands call off by email or form; check how an order gets into the warehouse system.
- Freight booking for pallets. Parcel tools and pallet freight tools are different products.
- Electronic proof of delivery. Signatures and photos should reach the order without chasing.
- A link to your ERP. In Australia this is usually an API; in the USA it is often EDI.
The tools compared
| Tool | What it does | Best for | AU and US presence | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CartonCloud | Warehouse, transport and 3PL billing | Small to mid 3PLs and distributors | Australia, with a US site | Not public |
| Extensiv | Cloud warehouse management for 3PLs | US 3PLs | USA | About US$499 a month (third party estimate) |
| MachShip | B2B freight booking and carrier management | Distributors booking pallet and carton freight | Australia and New Zealand | Not public |
| Transvirtual | Transport management with electronic proof of delivery | Carriers and own fleets | Australia, with a US site | Not public |
| Starshipit | Parcel shipping and labels | Parcel and carton deliveries | Australia and New Zealand | $45 to $500 a month by volume |
| Shippit | Parcel shipping and tracking | Parcel and carton deliveries | Australia | Not public |
| Warehouse Insight, Tasklet Mobile WMS | Scanner warehouse apps inside Business Central | Distributors running their own warehouse | Both | Warehouse Insight from US$80 per device |
CartonCloud
CartonCloud is an Australian cloud product combining warehouse management, transport management and 3PL billing for small to mid-size 3PLs. It lists integrations with Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, NetSuite and MYOB among others. For comparison, an Australian consultancy puts small 3PL warehouse system subscriptions at $30,000 to $150,000 a year plus implementation.
Extensiv
Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager, formerly 3PL Central, is the reference cloud warehouse system for US 3PLs. A reviewer site estimates pricing from about US$499 a month.
MachShip
MachShip is the main B2B freight booking layer in Australia and New Zealand. Apps from Fenwick and DMSi run it inside Business Central, so users can compare carriers and create consignments without leaving the ERP.
Transvirtual
Transvirtual is an Australian transport management system with electronic proof of delivery, used by carriers and businesses running their own fleets.
Starshipit and Shippit
Starshipit and Shippit suit parcel and carton deliveries. Starshipit publishes plans from $45 to $500 a month by shipment volume. For pallet call-offs, most distributors use a freight booking tool such as MachShip alongside or instead.
A note on the USA
US distributors usually connect their ERP to a 3PL through EDI messages: a shipping order out, and shipping advice and stock adjustments back. In Australia, API connections such as CartonCloud’s are more common.
Where Otopack fits
There is no dedicated software for packaging stockholding and call-offs in either market. Distributors combine customer items in the ERP, stock at a warehouse or 3PL, and call-offs typed in by hand from email. Otopack does that work: it checks each call-off against stock, raises the outbound order in your warehouse system, books the freight, sends the brand tracking and saves proof of delivery before the invoice. See Stockholding & Call-offs and Dispatch & Delivery, or follow one order from brief to pallet.
If you use one of these tools, see how Otopack connects: CartonCloud, Extensiv, MachShip, Transvirtual, Starshipit or Shippit.
