Native 3PL billing within your WMS

by Glenn Tosco | Aug 14, 2025 | P4 Warehouse, Spanish

No More: The Nightmare of Charging for Your Work as a 3PL

An honest conversation about why your invoicing shouldn't be your headache

If you run a 3PL, you're probably familiar with this scene: It's 9 PM on the last day of the month. Your finance team is still in the office, reconciling Excel spreadsheets. Your operations manager is frustrated because "the numbers don't add up." And you're thinking, "There has to be a better way to do this."

She has it. And we want to tell you about it.

The reality that no one wants to admit

Let's be honest: Most of us have accepted that invoicing is a necessary pain. Month after month, we do the same dance:

Your warehouse team works hard all day
Someone (who knows who?) exports data from the WMS
Someone else tries to reconstruct what they did for which client
Excel sheets fly by mail
Customers ask, "Why did you charge me this?"
And you start again next month

Does this sound familiar? You're not alone. And it's not your fault. It's just that traditional systems failed you.

What if I told you that every scan could be money in the bank?

Picture this: Your team scans an incoming pallet. Click. It's already registered as an incoming shipment. They move inventory to a new location. Click. Invoiced. A customer requests a special labeling service. Click. It's on their invoice.

No exporting. No rebuilding. No guessing.

That's what we do at P4 Warehouse. It's not magic; it's common sense applied to technology.

How we got here (and why it matters)

We spoke to hundreds of 3PL operators. They all had the same story: "Our WMS does the operational work well, but the invoicing... ugh."

We realized something obvious but revolutionary: The moment you create value is the moment you should be able to collect it.. Not a week later. Not after 10 reconciliations. Now.

What it really means to you and your team

For your operations team: "Finally, someone understands that every move we make has value. I no longer have to explain what we did—the system knows."

For your finance team: "I can go home on time. The bills generate themselves, and every charge is backed up. I'm no longer the villain chasing payments."

For you as a leader: "I sleep better. My cash flow has improved. My clients have more confidence because they can see exactly why they're paying what they're paying."

A real day in your new world

7:00 AM – A truck with merchandise arrives

Your team receives and scans it.
The system records: 50 pallets received for Client A

10:30 AM – Urgent picking order

200 units are picked
The system registers the service automatically

2:00 PM – Special relabeling request

Your team completes it
It is already added to the customer's invoice

5:00 PM – End of the day

Today's bill is ready (if you want to see it)
Your team goes home stress-free

End of the month – The full invoice is auto-generated and sent to the customer, so you can focus on growing your business, not chasing payments.

The questions you probably have (and their honest answers)

"But each of my clients charges differently..." Exactly. That's why each customer has their own profile. Maria pays per pallet, Juan pays per day of storage, Rosa has a monthly minimum. You set it once, and the system remembers it forever.

"What if there's a dispute?" Here's the beauty of it: Every job has its own story. "Hey, customer, on March 15th at 2:47 PM, Jose scanned these 10 pallets in location A-15." End of discussion.

"It sounds expensive..." You know what's expensive? Paying for two systems. Paying overtime. Losing money due to billing errors. This eliminates all of that.

A true story (with names changed)

Roberto ran a mid-sized 3PL. His monthly nightmare: 7-10 days to close billing. His team hated the end of the month. His customers complained constantly.

After implementing P4 Warehouse:

Closing in 2 days (could be less, but Roberto likes to check)
60% fewer disputes with customers
Eliminated software that cost five figures a year
Her accountant, Maria, now smiles at meetings.

But most importantly, Roberto told me, “For the first time in years, I can focus on growing my business instead of chasing payments.”

Do you want to see if this is real?

I'm not going to lie to you with empty promises. I'll make a simple proposal:

Let's have a 15-minute conversation. Bring your most complicated bill—the one that gives you a headache every month. We'll show you what it would look like in our system.

No commitment. No pressure. Just two people talking about how to make your life easier.

The time to change is now

Every month spent with the old system is money and time you don't get back. Your team deserves tools that support them, not frustrate them. Your customers deserve transparency. And you deserve to sleep soundly.

→ Let's talk for 15 minutes Not to sell you something, but to show you there's a better way.

PS – If you've made it this far, it's probably because this resonated with you. That tells me you're the kind of leader who seeks better solutions for your team. That says a lot about you.

8 Reasons Why Your Company Needs a Cloud-Based WMS

by Glenn Tosco | Jun 16, 2025 | Uncategorized

Imagine a warehouse operating at full capacity, but managed with outdated software. Operations are limited to a single physical location, IT maintenance is constant, and real-time visibility is virtually nonexistent. During peak season, the system is barely responsive, and communication between departments collapses. The result? Failed orders, frustrated teams, and the risk of complete shutdown in the event of a disaster.

It doesn't have to be this way. A cloud-based Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a smarter, more scalable, and more secure alternative. Here are eight ways a cloud WMS transforms your warehouse into a high-performance and resilient operation.

1. Scalability and Flexibility

A cloud-based WMS easily adapts to your business's growth. Whether you're facing seasonal demand or expanding into new regions, you can increase capacity without investing in new equipment. Unlike on-premises systems, cloud solutions offer natural flexibility, allowing teams to access the system from anywhere.

Traditional limitation: Scaling a traditional system requires purchasing new servers, licenses, and dealing with lengthy installation processes. Remote access is limited and complex.

2. Cost Efficiency

Cloud-based WMS eliminates the need for expensive servers and infrastructure. It allows you to move from large initial investments to predictable subscription models, where you only pay for what you use. This way, you can redirect your resources toward business growth.

Traditional limitation: High initial costs, ongoing maintenance, and licensing fees make it less accessible, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

3. Advanced Data Security

With enterprise-grade encryption and secure access protocols, cloud-based WMSs provide superior data protection. The security infrastructure is managed by the provider, ensuring regulatory compliance and preventing breaches.

Traditional limitation: Security falls to internal teams, which often lack the tools or experience to implement robust measures.

4. Real-Time Data and Better Collaboration

A cloud-based WMS provides instantly updated data, allowing teams from different areas and locations to work with the same information. This transparency improves order accuracy and accelerates decision-making.

Traditional limitation: Manual synchronization and update delays lead to errors, disorganization, and loss of efficiency.

5. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

Cloud systems include automatic backup and recovery protocols to minimize downtime. If one location goes down, operations can continue from another site.

Traditional limitation: Manual backups and system failures can result in data loss and long recovery times.

6. Advanced Analysis and Reports

Take advantage of integrated analytics tools to track key indicators such as order accuracy, inventory turnover, and picking efficiency. These metrics enable informed decision-making and continuous process improvement.

Traditional limitation: Limited and outdated reports make it difficult to detect trends and opportunities for improvement.

7. Integration with Other Systems

A cloud-based WMS integrates easily with ERP, CRM, and e-commerce platforms, ensuring a seamless flow of data and a unified view of your operations.

Traditional limitation: Expensive, slow, and unreliable integrations, especially on older platforms.

8. Environmental Sustainability

By reducing the need for physical servers and using energy-efficient data centers, a cloud-based WMS helps reduce your company's carbon footprint.

Traditional limitation: Local systems consume more energy and generate electronic waste due to frequent updates.

P4 Software: The Intelligent WMS for Smart Enterprises

At P4 Software, we offer a cloud-based WMS designed to solve the problems posed by traditional systems. Our platform offers:

Barcode scanning and label printing according to standards
Automation in picking, packing and dispatch
Integration with carriers and ERP systems
Real-time inventory tracking
Custom dashboards and KPI reports
Top-level data security with full traceability
ERP-agnostic design compatible with SAP, Acumatica, Microsoft, Sage, Oracle, and more

With P4 Warehouse you don't just keep pace, you lead the way.

Ready to modernize your warehouse management? Contact P4 Software today.

Is your WMS provider a true expert… or are they just charging money without adding value?

by Glenn Tosco | June 9, 2025 | Uncategorized

In today's competitive logistics world, your warehouse management system (WMS) isn't just a tool: it's the control tower for your entire operation. But here's an uncomfortable truth: many companies sell WMS solutions without the knowledge or technical support you're paying for.

Are you working with a true WMS expert… or are you just funding someone else's business without seeing any results?

Below we show you the most common warning signs, the standards a true specialist must meet, and the hidden costs of choosing the wrong partner.

🚩 Warning Sign #1: They talk about functions, not results

If your WMS provider only talks about features and not measurable results, beware. A serious partner focuses on clear KPIs: increased picking accuracy, reduced cycle time, and complete inventory visibility.

❌ Fake expert: “We offer code scanning, label printing, and dashboards.”
✅ Royal expert: “Our implementation reduced setup time by 40% thanks to optimized wave and zone-based picking.”

True experts speak in numbers, not promises.

🚩 Warning Sign #2: No structured onboarding, no process

There are providers who simply hand you the system and disappear. That's not a partner; that's abandonment.

❌ Fake expert: “Set it up with the manual on the website.”
✅ Royal expert: “We define zones, location masks, replenishment logic, and picking routes based on the profile and rotation of your SKUs—with remote or in-person support.”

Without a clear warehouse analysis and SOPs, you are destined for failure.

🚩 Warning Sign #3: False or One-Way Integration

Many claim to integrate with SAP, NetSuite, or QuickBooks… but they only import data. They don't return inventory movements, receipts, or shipping confirmations.

❌ Fake expert: “We can upload orders via CSV or web service.”
✅ Royal expert: “Our two-way integration with SAP allows us to receive POs, generate GRPOs, synchronize inventory, and return ASN/BOLs in real time.”

If your WMS doesn’t communicate with the ERP back and forth, that’s not integration—it’s a patch.

🚩 Alert Signal #4: Basic functions with additional cost

Beware of vendors who charge extra for basic features like inventory adjustments, cycle counts, SSCC tags, or LPN location.

❌ Fake expert: “Replenishment logic is included only in the premium module.”
✅ Royal expert: “Replenishment, wave picking, staging, and compliant shipping labels are included. No hidden costs.”

When essential flows are charged separately, you're buying a patchwork system, not a professional logistics solution.

🚩 Warning Sign #5: They do not have their own implementation team

Many "vendors" only sell licenses. They outsource implementation to agencies or freelancers with no real commitment to you.

❌ Fake expert: “We will escalate your case with our external partner.”
✅ Royal expert: "We have an in-house team of implementers, architects, and logistics trainers. We configure, train, and support your go-live directly."

If your provider can't train your team or set up operations without a third party, they're not a WMS provider. They're just a middleman.

What a true WMS expert offers

A true partner doesn't just install software. They optimize your supply chain. They must:

Have an internal support, implementation and development team.
Know your industry (3PL, pharmaceutical, food, retail, e-commerce).
Speak the language of logistics and operations.
Offering full support: SOP design, zone/bin configuration, labels, ERP integration.
Be present at the go-live, not just the demo.

The true cost of working with a non-expert

Having an inexperienced partner isn't just frustrating. It also costs you money:

Lost orders
Incorrect inventory
Manual processes
Compliance issues
Dissatisfied customers

What seems “cheaper” can cost you dearly in errors, cost overruns, and lost customers.

Closing: You deserve a WMS partner, not just a vendor

Your logistics operation deserves better than an inexperienced salesperson and a support team that doesn't even speak your language. You need a partner who understands logistics, who configures, optimizes, supports, and grows with you.

Don't accept a WMS provider that just charges. Demand one that's worth it—with real experience, real results, and a real team.

Why Are Businesses Migrating to P4 Warehouse's Cloud-Native WMS?

by Glenn Tosco | June 9, 2025 | P4 Warehouse

Your WMS should generate profits — not be a bottleneck

You already have a solid operation: good equipment, quality products, and ever-growing demand. But there's one thing that constantly holds you back: the warehouse.

Shipping delays. Out-of-stock products. Expired inventory. Customer complaints.

And in most cases, the root problem is your warehouse management system.

Legacy WMS Systems: Why Don't They Work Anymore?

Many traditional WMSs were designed before cloud computing, mobile scanners, or real-time integration with an ERP. They never evolved—and that's costing you more than you think.

The reasons:

Rigid and obsolete logic
They use fixed rules that don't adapt to what's happening in real time. The inventory may be there, but the system can't find it in time.
False integration
Many claim to integrate with SAP or other ERPs, but in reality, they use batch uploads, legacy connectors, or manual processes. This disrupts your complete order-to-cash cycle.
Hidden costs
They require their own servers, specialized technical staff, and hours of consulting for each change. What seemed like a one-time purchase becomes an ongoing expense.
Designed for technicians, not business people
If you need a scheduler to know what you have in stock or the status of an order, you've already lost agility. Your system should empower you, not limit you.
Reactive, not preventive, systems
They don't alert you about expiring products, packaging errors, or picking delays until the damage is already done. And that translates into lost customers and lost profitability.

The Solution: P4 Warehouse, a Cloud-Native WMS

P4 Warehouse eliminates complexity and replaces it with speed, accuracy, and intelligence.

It is designed to work as your business needs:

Real-time traceability, from platform to platform
Full integration with SAP and modern ERPs
Smart allocation with due date management and FIFO logic
Mobile scanning with live inventory display
Automatic generation of labels, shipping guides, packing slips and audits
Capture digital signatures and upload shipping photos
Multi-client and multi-warehouse support from day one

And since it's completely cloud-native:
It requires no servers, technical equipment, or legacy infrastructure.

Clear Benefits for Business Owners

Fewer errors and faster shipping mean greater customer loyalty.
Better inventory visibility enables smarter purchasing and less shrink.
Lower cost per order translates into higher margins.
Automated compliance reduces legal and operational risks.
Scalable architecture ready to grow without interruptions.

Real Companies Are Already Using It

P4 Warehouse operates in Panama, Ecuador, the United States, and Canada, handling high-volume products, pharmaceuticals, frozen foods, and more.

With the launch of P4 Pharmaceutical Warehouse 2024 and the expansion to Europe in 2025, the future of logistics is already a reality.

Regain Control of Your Supply Chain

You shouldn't be chasing answers inside the warehouse. You should have visibility, accuracy, and confidence from the system.

Visit: https://p4.software
Schedule a live demo and discover how P4 Warehouse can take your operation to the next level.

Are you paying for a WMS that doesn't work? You're not alone—but you are wasting time.

by Glenn Tosco | May 25, 2025 | P4 Warehouse

Many companies are facing an uncomfortable reality:

They did not invest in a warehouse management system (WMS).
They committed to a half-finished project, disguised as software.

The proposal seemed attractive: “customizable WMS,” “local support,” “tailored to your needs.”

But what they received was anything but a complete system. It's slow to implement, expensive to maintain, and fails to meet the essential requirements.

If your WMS can't yet handle basic operations like order allocation, location control, or inventory movement, it's not operating efficiently.
He is trapped in an endless cycle of development.

We have helped several companies make the transition.

This isn't simply outdated technology. It's a broken model that penalizes growth, consumes time, and drains resources.

🚨 What you are actually getting from that supplier

Let's get down to business.

What they deliver is not a modern WMS — it is an incomplete structure that runs on:

An application based on PHP housed in a Linux server located at the provider's offices
An obsolete database Pervasive DB no scalability
A licensing model that charges for each storage location (bin)
A support system where every missing feature requires additional billable development
And two faulty ERP systems that they try to sell as a complement

You're not buying SaaS. You're funding another vendor's development.

🕑 12 to 36 months of “almost ready”

The implementation timeline is painfully slow.

Month 1–3: “Initial Setup”
Month 6: You continue to use Excel to fill in the gaps
Month 12: Picking/packing workflow still unstable
Month 18+: Returns and billing “in development”
Year 2+: Change requests pile up — and invoices too

You're not receiving a WMS. You're participating in a never-ending development project.

💸 A licensing model that penalizes growth

Every new location, every change in layout, every expansion — increases its cost.

The licensing model of this provider is linked to the number of storage locations (bins).

Add racks? Pay more.
Expanding your warehouse? Pay more.
Optimize your layout for performance? Guess what… you pay more.

You're paying a premium for growth. That's not scalability—it's a trap.

🖥️ The Linux server that lives in the provider's offices

Let's be clear:

The whole system runs on a Linux server located at the provider's offices.

What it means:

❌ No cloud scalability
❌ No guarantee of availability
❌ No access if the system fails
❌ No visibility into backup policies
❌ No enforceable service level agreement (SLA)

You are paying thousands of dollars a year for software that lives in the facilities of another company, on hardware that you do not control, with a support that cannot guarantee.

This is not SaaS in the cloud.
It is a technical dependency disguised as innovation.

✅ P4 Warehouse: Real SaaS. Real software. Available today.

P4 Warehouse is the opposite of all the above.

It's a Fully developed, enterprise-grade SaaS WMS, hosted in Microsoft Azure, designed for speed, scalability, and serious operations.

What do you get from day one?

Start-up in 4–6 weeks
Hosted in Microsoft Azure, not in an office without support
Complete operational flows: receiving, put-away, picking, replenishment, LPN, returns, inspection, dangerous goods
3PL billing included — without further developments
Support for environments multi-warehouse and multi-company
Real-time reporting, full traceability, and performance dashboards
Modern API to easily integrate with your current system
SaaS-type flat price — no hidden location charges

You don't need to wait a year for the system to work.
It's already built. And it's already working.

Functionality / Capacity	❌ Local Supplier	✅ P4 Warehouse WMS in the Cloud
Implementation time	12–36 months (continuous development)	4–6 weeks (ready and tested)
Architecture	Linux server at the supplier's office	SaaS in the cloud (Microsoft Azure)
Base technology	PHP + Pervasive DB	.NET Core + SQL Server
Discharge	Charge by location (bin)	Fixed monthly SaaS-type price
3PL Billing	Requires further development	Included from day one
Zone/bin logic (FIFO, replenishment)	Not available without further development	Preconfigured and functional
Returns, QC, dangerous goods, staging	Not included or incomplete	Standard modules included
Multi-warehouse/multi-company support	Limited or non-existent	Full native support
Reports / Data Visibility	Manual, disconnected	Real-time dashboards and KPIs
ERP Compatibility	2 broken ERPs without effective integration	Open, compatible and flexible API
Total cost of ownership	High: hardware + developments + delays	Transparent. No surprises.

🚚 From 2 years lost to surgery in 6 weeks

A 3PL company in Panama came to us after more than two years of stagnation with the local provider:

Without billing module
Bin logic failing
Misaligned inventory
Increasing costs with each expansion

They migrated to P4 Warehouse.

✅ Launch in 6 weeks
✅ 3PL billing operational from the start
✅ Fixed and scalable storage logic
✅ Cloud infrastructure — not in the hands of others

🧠 Your warehouse deserves more than promises

You shouldn't chase developments.
You shouldn't pay to build someone else's product.
You shouldn't scale on a platform that wasn't designed to grow.

You need working software — not excuses disguised as a roadmap.

📞 Schedule your demo. We launch in weeks, not years.

Ready to stop waiting and start trading?

👇 Fill out the contact form and schedule a personalized P4 Warehouse demo.

Without endless developments.
No servers in external offices.
Results only. From day one.