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3 Ways Outdated WMS Systems Are Killing Your 3PL Business
Q Lance, new research reveals a startling gap in the market—90% of shippers say technology is critical when choosing a 3PL, but only 57% are satis ed with what they get. What’s happening? A That 33-point gap is costing 3PLs their best clients, and most don’t see it coming. The problem isn’t that operators don’t care about technology—it’s that they’re running on WMS platforms that can’t deliver what today’s shippers actually need: confidence, control, and clarity. When your system can’t provide those three things, clients start looking elsewhere. Q Let’s get speci c. What’s the rst way outdated systems are killing 3PL businesses? A They can’t handle complexity at scale. Today’s 3PLs are expected to manage multiple clients across dierent industries, each with unique requirements, things like special labeling, kitting, lot tracking, and more. Legacy systems force you to choose between saying “no” to profitable business or managing exceptions through manual workarounds. Neither option retains clients. Modern 3PL WMS platforms are built for multi-tenant complexity from the ground up, letting you say “yes” to new business without operational chaos. Q What’s the second killer? A The visibility gap. Clients don’t want to call or email for status updates, they expect self-service portals and real-time dashboards. If your WMS can’t provide that
transparency, you’re forcing clients to chase you for information. That erodes trust fast. The right system gives customers 24/7 access to their inventory, orders, and performance metrics without creating extra work for your team. Q And the third way? A Billing disputes and onboarding delays. Outdated systems make it nearly impossible to provide transparent, activity- based billing that clients can verify. When invoices don’t match expectations or new customer implementations take six months, you’re telling clients you’re not equipped to grow with them. I’ve seen 3PLs lose six-figure contracts because they couldn’t prove line-item billing accuracy or demonstrate what activities justified their charges. Modern 3PL WMS solutions automate billing accuracy and drastically reduce onboarding timelines, turning potential friction points into competitive advantages. Q So what’s the bottom line for 3PL operators? A Your WMS isn’t just back-oce infrastructure—it’s the foundation for client retention and growth. When shippers evaluate 3PLs, they’re not buying warehouse space. They’re buying reliability, flexibility, and proof that you won’t become their operational headache. If your system can’t deliver accurate inventory, seamless integrations, and scalable operations, your best clients are already evaluating competitors. The technology gap isn’t coming—it’s here.
Lance Jordan Vice President, Solution Strategy & Delivery – 3PL Made4net made4net.com
Evaluating WMS options? Our 3PL WMS Selection Toolkit helps you sort through requirements, risks, and tradeos before you’re locked into a long-term platform.
50 Inbound Logistics • January 2026
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