How Frankly Fulfillment Scaled from Near Zero to 65,000 Orders per Month with ShipHero WMS
A fast-growing 3PL outgrew spreadsheets and a rigid legacy WMS. Learn how switching to ShipHero unlocked same-day shipping speed, real-time client visibility, and 30-to-60-minute staff onboarding.
| Metric |
Before ShipHero |
After ShipHero |
Result |
| Monthly Order Volume |
Near zero |
65,000+ orders/month |
Rapid scale |
| Staff Training Time |
Unknown / lengthy |
30–60 minutes |
Faster ramp |
| Order Editing |
Phone/email only |
Client self-service |
Zero support burden |
| Shipping Speed |
Delayed |
Same-day processing |
Immediate improvement |
| Carrier Routing |
Basic / manual |
Rate Shop Plus rules |
Cost-optimized shipping |
| KPI Visibility |
None |
Storage, profitability, picker speeds |
Full operational insight |
The Challenge: Scaling a 3PL on Spreadsheets Isn't a Strategy
Frankly Fulfillment was built by an e-commerce veteran who understood fulfillment from the merchant side. But as order volume climbed, the tools holding operations together — spreadsheets, pen and paper, ShipStation — became the biggest obstacle to growth.
The core problem wasn't just inefficiency. The existing warehouse management system was architecturally incapable of handling the realities of a growing 3PL operation.
No real scalability. Spreadsheets and basic shipping tools were never designed for multi-client, high-volume 3PL workflows.
Locked orders. The previous WMS locked orders on receipt. Editing or canceling required manual phone and email support — a constant drain on staff.
Fulfillment errors. Missing items from totes were a recurring issue, forcing packers to stop mid-workflow to investigate discrepancies.
Vendor lock-in. Their previous provider charged extra for reports, API access, and new features — a "my way or the highway" model that penalized growth.
"The astronomical benefit of using a WMS built by people who actually understand warehouse procedures — that's what we were missing."— Founder, Frankly Fulfillment
Why Frankly Fulfillment Chose ShipHero
The decision came down to one thing: partnership over transactions. Where the previous vendor charged for every feature and resisted customization, ShipHero's model was built around helping 3PLs grow.
Despite a tight transition window caused by an ending contract, the ShipHero onboarding team facilitated a smooth migration. Shipping speeds and order processing volumes improved immediately after go-live, driven by a more intuitive UI and smarter picking and batching logic.
- Smooth onboarding executed within a tight contract deadline
- Immediate gains in shipping speed and daily order throughput
- iPad-based pick-and-pack interface that new employees learn in 30 to 60 minutes
- Rate Shop Plus for complex carrier rules — exclude carriers, prioritize by cost percentage
- Client-facing inventory portal with order editing, cancellation, and detailed inventory logs
Results: Operational Visibility, Client Empowerment, and Rapid Growth
Since implementing ShipHero, Frankly Fulfillment scaled from near zero to approximately 65,000 orders per month. But the impact goes beyond volume.
KPI visibility. The warehouse now tracks brand storage utilization, order profitability, and individual picker and packer speeds — metrics that were invisible before.
Client self-service. Clients can directly manage their inventory and orders in real time — no support tickets, no phone calls to cancel an order.
Flexible shipping logic. Rate Shop Plus supports nuanced rules that match the complexity of running multiple client accounts at scale.
Labor efficiency. Color-coded picking racks and intuitive iPad workflows reduce training time and picking errors across the warehouse floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What WMS do fast-growing 3PLs use to scale past 50,000 orders per month?
Frankly Fulfillment scaled to over 65,000 orders per month using ShipHero WMS. The platform's picking and batching features, intuitive iPad interface, and Rate Shop Plus shipping rules enabled rapid growth without adding proportional headcount.
How long does it take to train warehouse staff on ShipHero?
New employees can be trained to pick and pack using ShipHero's iPad-based system in approximately 30 to 60 minutes. The visual interface and guided workflows significantly reduce ramp time compared to traditional WMS platforms.
Can clients edit or cancel orders in a 3PL WMS without contacting support?
Yes. With ShipHero, 3PL clients have direct access to their orders and inventory. Frankly Fulfillment's customers can edit or cancel orders and view a detailed inventory log without contacting the warehouse — a major improvement over systems that lock orders on receipt.
How does ShipHero Rate Shop Plus work for 3PLs with complex shipping rules?
ShipHero's Rate Shop Plus allows 3PLs to configure advanced carrier routing logic — including excluding specific carriers, setting cost-based carrier prioritization, and applying account-level shipping rules. Frankly Fulfillment uses these features to optimize shipping costs across all client accounts.
What are the biggest challenges when migrating from ShipStation to a full WMS?
The primary challenges are scalability, order management flexibility, and fulfillment accuracy. ShipStation works well at low volume but lacks the picking logic, inventory tracking depth, and client-facing visibility that a growing 3PL needs. Frankly Fulfillment encountered all three limitations before switching to ShipHero.
.svg)
.svg)
.webp)
.webp)
.svg)
.svg){kind=logo}
.webp)
