Multi-client inventory segmentation
Every item is owned by a specific client account. Staff see everything; client portals are strictly scoped, with no way for one client to see another's stock.
Warehouse management
Warehouse Management Software for Boutique 3PLs
A lightweight 3PL WMS built for operators with 3 to 50 client accounts: multi-client inventory, per-client billing, and a branded portal. Without the SAP price tag or a nine-month implementation.
Definition
What is a 3PL warehouse management system?
A 3PL warehouse management system (3PL WMS) is the software a third-party logistics provider uses to run a shared warehouse on behalf of multiple client accounts. It tracks every SKU, segregates inventory by client, runs receiving and pick/pack workflows, and bills each client independently for storage and handling.
The enterprise end of the market (SAP EWM, Manhattan Active, Blue Yonder) is built for operations with tens of thousands of SKUs, dedicated IT teams, and six-figure implementation budgets. It works, but it's overkill (and unaffordable) for the thousands of boutique 3PLs running 3 to 50 client accounts out of one or two warehouses.
Stowley is 3PL warehouse management software built for that operator. Multi-client inventory and per-client billing are the defaults, not enterprise add-ons. QR labels print on standard stock and scan from any phone. Every client gets a branded self-serve portal. You onboard a new client in an afternoon, not in a six-month rollout.
Capabilities
Key capabilities
Per-client billing & rate cards
Each client gets its own recurring billing schedule and storage rate. Auto-pay via Stripe, per-client aging, no spreadsheets.
Receiving, putaway, pick/pack & shipping
Run inbound receiving, putaway to a warehouse → zone → aisle → bin location, pull requests with packing slips, and shipping, all from one workspace. Shipping requests rate-shop carriers and buy labels through the built-in ShipStation integration.
ShipStation rate-shop & label purchase
Connect ShipStation once on the Integrations tab. Every shipping service request gets live multi-carrier rates, one-click label purchase, parcel presets, and automatic tracking-number capture attached to the request.
Shopify & Amazon orders through ShipStation
When you fulfill a client's Shopify, Amazon, or other store orders in ShipStation, Stowley picks up every label: it creates the completed shipping request, checks the shipped SKUs out of that client's stock, and flags anything it cannot match.
QR labels, no scanner hardware
Print QR labels on standard label stock and scan them through any phone camera. No barcode guns, no scanner app, no IT project.
Branded multi-tenant client portal
Each client logs in to a portal scoped to their items, carrying your logo and colors on Premium and up. They browse stock, submit pull and inbound requests, and pay invoices directly.
Real-time stock & low-stock alerts
Per-SKU stock levels update in real time. Configurable low-stock thresholds trigger alerts to your team and the client before a stockout.
Compare
Enterprise WMS vs. Stowley
| Capability | Enterprise WMS | Stowley |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first client live | 6-18 months of implementation | An afternoon |
| Starting cost | Six figures + annual license + consultants | Monthly subscription, no implementation invoice |
| Multi-client billing | Bolt-on module or external accounting export | Built in: per-client schedules, rates, and auto-pay |
| Client portal | Custom-built or third-party add-on | Branded portal per client, included |
| Hardware | Barcode scanners + scanner middleware | Print QR labels, scan from any phone |
| Contract | Multi-year, annual minimums | Month-to-month, cancel anytime |
FAQ
Frequently asked
What is 3PL warehouse management software?
3PL warehouse management software (3PL WMS) is the operations platform a third-party logistics provider uses to receive, store, pick, pack, and ship inventory on behalf of multiple client accounts. Unlike a single-tenant WMS built for a brand's own warehouse, a 3PL WMS segregates inventory by client, supports per-client billing rates, and gives every client visibility into their own stock.
How is this different from SAP, Manhattan, or Blue Yonder?
Enterprise WMS platforms (SAP EWM, Manhattan Active, Blue Yonder) are built for tens of thousands of SKUs, custom EDI integrations, and an in-house IT team. Implementation runs 6-18 months and starts in the six figures. Stowley is built for boutique 3PLs, typically 3 to 50 client accounts, who want to onboard a new client in a day, run per-client billing automatically, and skip the consulting engagement entirely.
Do I need barcode scanners or special hardware?
No. Stowley prints QR labels on standard label stock and scans through any phone camera. Receiving, putaway, picking, and shipping all run from the mobile app. No scanner gun, no scanner app, no IT rollout.
Can it handle per-client billing with different rate cards?
Yes. Each client has its own recurring billing schedule, storage rate, and payment method on file. Storage fees generate automatically and auto-charge via Stripe, and handling or per-pull charges go on as invoice lines or pending charges. Aging buckets and past-due tracking happen per client.
Can I migrate from spreadsheets, Extensiv, or another 3PL system?
Yes. The importer recognizes Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager and Sortly exports directly and matches any spreadsheet's columns loosely, keeping unknown columns as custom fields. Clients import the same way, open balances come across as starting-balance invoices, and you preview every row before it is written. Most boutique 3PLs are cut over in an afternoon; if you would rather not touch a CSV, send us the export and we load it for you.
What's the minimum operation size that makes sense for Stowley?
Stowley fits operations from a single shared warehouse with 3 clients up through multi-warehouse operations with 50+ client accounts. Below that, a spreadsheet still works. Above that, you're typically looking at enterprise WMS territory.
Further reading
Field notes on this topic
Longer pieces from the blog that go deeper on the problems this page covers.
- Multi-Client Warehouse Software: How Boutique 3PLs Run Dozens of Clients From One SystemHow boutique 3PLs keep each client's inventory, billing, and portal separate once the shared spreadsheet stops holding.6 min read
- Boutique 3PL vs Enterprise 3PL: Where Brands Actually BelongBig 3PLs win on price per unit. Boutique 3PLs win on the things that make a brand a brand. Knowing which fits is a strategy decision, not a vendor choice.4 min read
- Inbound Receiving at a Boutique 3PL: The SOP That Prevents Client DisputesMost 3PL disputes trace back to receiving. A step-by-step inbound SOP: advance notice, PO match, photos, discrepancies, and a same-day client report.4 min read
- Item-Level vs. Pallet-Level Inventory: A Framework for Choosing the Right GranularityItem-level inventory is not always the right answer. A short test for choosing between item, carton, and pallet granularity.3 min read
Related reading
Boutique 3PL software
Multi-client inventory, per-client portals, and white-label branding for boutique 3PLs.
Read3PL industry overview
How Stowley fits the day-to-day of a boutique third-party logistics operation.
ReadStorage software
Item-level inventory and recurring billing for storage and logistics operators.
ReadExtensiv alternative
How Stowley compares with Extensiv 3PL Warehouse Manager for a 3PL with 3 to 50 clients.
ReadLive demo
See a 3PL WMS that fits a boutique operation
Open a ready-made demo with multiple sample clients, separate portals, and per-client billing already configured. Walk through receiving, picking, and invoicing, and see how Stowley fits without a six-month rollout.
Request a Tour
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