Paperless WMS boosts efficiency with cloud-based tools, dynamic workflows, and evolving software for scalable growth.
Speaking with MHD Supply Chain, Mark Clinch, Operations Manager at Paperless, says the company is evolving its platform architecture and support model to meet the changing needs of warehousing customers both locally and abroad.
“We’ve shifted from being purely customer-led in our development to having a dedicated roadmap,” says Mark. “That allows us to be more proactive and really control our own destiny.”
Founded in 1988, Paperless was originally established to digitise picking slips and other manual processes in the warehouse. After being acquired in 2020 by Melbourne-based ERP group Uniware, the company has accelerated investment in its cloud offering and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. Mark explains that all new installations are now cloud-hosted on AWS as a fully managed service.
“We look after everything from the operating system to the database and application layer, so customers can focus on running their warehouse,” he says.
This shift has enabled more consistent update cycles across its customer base, with the company now pushing quarterly platform patches to its cloud-hosted clients.
“Updates aren’t automated like some mainstream software products, but we provide them every quarter and let the customer choose the best time to implement them,” says Mark.
“For example, many avoid upgrades in Q4 due to the lead-up to peak season,” says Mark.
Paperless primarily services the Australian market, with about 90 per cent of its customers located domestically and a small number in New Zealand, as well as Central and South America. Mark also oversees the Professional Services team of 11 spread across multiple Australian cities, as well as offshore support operations in India, the UK and El Salvador, allowing for 24/7 coverage.
As for the platform itself, Mark says Paperless stands out for its practical approach to warehouse processes.
“Everyone in our professional services team has worked in a warehouse – as a supervisor, leading hand, or manager – so we understand what needs to happen on the floor,” he says. “That insight helps us implement the software in a way that’s both technically sound and operationally viable.”
One of the platform’s features is dynamic pick face allocation – a function designed to support fast-moving, high-volume operations like e-commerce fulfilment.
“Instead of assigning a fixed slot to every item, our system allocates space on the fly,” Mark explains. “When an order drops, the platform creates a temporary pick face, moves the stock into that location, and releases the space once it’s picked. It’s efficient and flexible.”
Mobile scanning and real-time visibility also remain central to Paperless’ efficiency gains. The company works closely with providers such as Honeywell and Zebra to ensure durable, high-performance handhelds are deployed on-site.
“Scanning product details, serial numbers, expiry dates and more directly from barcodes – rather than relying on manual data entry – delivers much faster and more accurate operations,” says Mark.
The company partners with rack and label providers to ensure barcode coverage across all picking locations, further boosting picking accuracy and reducing labour time.
Paperless is currently developing Version 5 of its platform – a web-based version that removes the need for desktop application setup and enables users to simply log in through a browser.
“This is a big step towards becoming a true SaaS model,” Mark says. “It’ll make it even easier for customers to access the platform and scale with us.”
Ultimately, Paperless aims to grow with its customers, offering software that evolves alongside operational needs.
“We’re not just looking for transactions – we’re in it for long-term partnerships,” says Mark. “We’ve had customers who started with a single shed and a spreadsheet and now operate across multiple states using our system.”
