Inventory2 min read
3D Warehouse Management: Visualising Stock in 3D
What 3D warehouse management offers: bin occupancy views, slotting decisions, space planning, and how to build a 3D view on ERP location data.
Industry · Distribution & Logistics
3PL ERP for warehousing other people's inventory
A 3PL runs warehouses for clients who own the stock. That changes everything: inventory must be segregated by owner, every handling activity is billable, and each client wants their own integration, reports and portal.
- M01Inventory (Multi-owner)
- M02Warehouse / Barcode
- M03Billing
- M04Sales
- M05Accounting
- M06Customer Portal
Context
ERP in 3pl
Generic ERP assumes you own your stock and sell it. We configure 3PL operations around ownership, activity capture and billing.
01Operational challenges
What usually breaks before the ERP project starts
01
Billing leakage
Storage, picks, packs and special handling not captured, so not billed.
02
Client onboarding effort
Each new client needs integrations and setup that take weeks.
03
Inventory ownership
Stock of different clients mixed in the system or in reports.
04
SLA accountability
Clients dispute performance without objective data.
02Core flows
How the ERP should handle each part of the business
- Sales flow
- Client contracts define rate cards for storage, handling and value-added services.
- Procurement
- Packaging and consumables purchased and recharged where applicable.
- Inventory
- Stock tracked by owner, with lots, serials and expiry per client requirement.
- Warehouse
- Receiving, putaway, picking, kitting and shipping per client rules.
- Accounting
- Activity-based invoicing per client monthly or weekly; storage billed by pallet, bin or volume.
- CRM
- Client accounts, onboarding projects and contract renewals.
03Industry workflows
Workflows specific to 3pl
01
Owner-based inventory
Each client's stock segregated by ownership while sharing physical locations if allowed.
02
Activity capture
Each receipt, pick, pack and special service logged for billing.
03
Storage billing
Periodic snapshots of occupied pallets or volume per client.
04
Client integrations
Orders from client Shopify, Amazon or ERP systems flowing in automatically.
04 — Reporting
Reports that should come out of the system, not a spreadsheet
- Revenue by client and activity
- Unbilled activities
- Order cycle time vs SLA by client
- Inventory accuracy per client
- Storage utilisation
- Client profitability
05 — Compliance
Compliance considerations
Client-specific requirements (lot tracking, temperature control, customs bonded storage) plus insurance and liability terms. Accurate records protect you in disputes.
Regulatory requirements vary by jurisdiction. We configure the system to support your obligations; confirm specific rules with your auditor or compliance advisor.
06 — Integrations
Systems the ERP needs to talk to
Client storefronts and marketplaces, client ERPs via API or EDI, carrier platforms and client portals are essential.
07AI opportunities
Where AI is genuinely useful here
Practical uses that sit on top of clean ERP data. None of them replace getting the core transactions right first.
01
Client onboarding mapping
Help map client SKU files and order formats to your system.
02
Billing review
Flag unusual billing changes before invoices go out.
03
Client communication
Draft exception notices for short shipments or damages.
08ERP modules
Modules a typical deployment includes
- M01Inventory (Multi-owner)
- M02Warehouse / Barcode
- M03Billing
- M04Sales
- M05Accounting
- M06Customer Portal
- M07Integrations
- M08Reporting
09Roadmap
Implementation roadmap
- 01
Ownership model
Configure owner-based stock and client setup.
- 02
Operations live
Receiving, picking and shipping per client.
- 03
Billing
Activity capture and invoicing.
- 04
Integrations and portal
Self-service and automated order flows.
10Common mistakes
Mistakes we see repeatedly
01
Billing from spreadsheets
Activity billing must come from system transactions.
02
One-off integrations
Build reusable connectors to onboard clients faster.
03
Weak owner segregation
Mixed ownership causes disputes.
04
No SLA data
Measure performance objectively from timestamps.
Explore further
Related services, solutions and platforms
Insights
Related reading
Inventory2 min read
RFID vs Barcode: Which Is Right for Your Warehouse?
A practical RFID vs barcode comparison: cost, speed, accuracy, environment and use cases, with clear guidance on when RFID pays off and when barcodes are the better choice.
Inventory2 min read
Multi-Warehouse Inventory Management: A Practical Guide
Managing stock across several warehouses: structure, inter-warehouse transfers, replenishment, order sourcing, costing and reporting, with notes on setting it up in Odoo.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can we manage multiple clients' stock?
Yes, with ownership tracking or client-specific locations and reporting.
How is storage billed?
By periodic snapshots of occupied space or units, using rates in each client contract.
Can clients see their inventory online?
Yes, through a portal or API showing their stock and orders.
Similar industries
Industries with related workflows
WholesaleCustomer-specific pricing, high-volume order entry, credit control, rebates and fast fulfilment.DistributionMulti-warehouse distribution ERP: demand planning, replenishment, fulfilment and supplier management.LogisticsERP for logistics providers: job management, shipment costing, carrier billing and customer invoicing.
Next step
Billing every activity you perform?
We will review your activity capture and billing.