Getting Started with 3PL Pulse

Learn how to set up and configure 3PL Pulse for your Shopify store

Last updated: September 13, 2025

Welcome to 3PL Pulse! This guide will walk you through setting up your fulfillment performance tracking.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A Shopify store with admin access
  • CSV files from your 3PL provider with shipment data
  • Order numbers that match between Shopify and your 3PL

Installation

Step 1: Install from Shopify App Store

  1. Navigate to the 3PL Pulse app page in the Shopify App Store
  2. Click “Add app” and follow the authorization flow
  3. Grant the necessary permissions for order and fulfillment data access

Step 2: Initial Data Sync

After installation, you’ll be directed to the Provider Dashboard:

  1. The app will automatically start syncing your Shopify orders
  2. Wait for the initial sync to complete (you’ll see a progress indicator)
  3. Once complete, you’re ready to import 3PL data

Importing Your Data

Step 1: Import Shopify Orders

  1. Click Import from Shopify in the navigation
  2. Choose your date range:
    • Last 60 days - Recommended for initial setup
    • Since last sync - For regular updates
    • All time - For complete historical data
  3. Click Start Sync and wait for completion

Step 2: Import 3PL Shipment Data

  1. Click Import 3PL Data in the navigation
  2. Select or create a provider from the dropdown
  3. Upload your CSV file with these columns:
    • Shopify Order Reference (required) - matches order numbers
    • Processing Started (required) - when 3PL began processing
    • Carrier Pickup (required) - when carrier picked up
    • Delivered Date (optional) - when delivered to customer
    • Tracking Number (optional) - carrier tracking number
    • Carrier (optional) - shipping carrier name
  4. Map your CSV columns to match our fields
  5. Click Import to process the data

Understanding the Provider Dashboard

The main dashboard shows your fulfillment performance:

Key Metrics

  • On-Time Fulfillment Rate: Percentage of orders fulfilled within SLA
  • Average Fulfillment Time: Time from order to shipment
  • Orders Tracked: Total orders with tracking data
  • SLA Performance: Daily/weekly/monthly trends

Time Periods

Switch between different views:

  • 7 Days: Recent performance
  • 14 Days: Two-week trends
  • 30 Days: Monthly overview
  • 90 Days: Quarterly analysis

Provider Management

  • Add multiple 3PL providers
  • Compare performance between providers
  • Track provider-specific SLAs

CSV File Format

Required Fields

  • Shopify Order Reference: Must match Shopify order numbers (e.g., #1001, 1001, or WEB-1001)
  • Processing Started: When your 3PL began processing the order
  • Carrier Pickup: When the carrier picked up the package

Optional Fields

  • Delivered Date: When delivered to customer
  • Tracking Number: Carrier tracking number
  • Carrier: Shipping carrier name (UPS, FedEx, etc.)
  • Shipping Method: Service level (2-Day, Ground, etc.)
  • Order Status: Current order status
  • Warehouse: Fulfillment location

Sample CSV Format

Shopify Order Reference,Processing Started,Carrier Pickup,Delivered Date,Tracking Number,Carrier
#1001,2025-09-10 08:00,2025-09-10 16:00,2025-09-12,1Z999AA10123456784,UPS
#1002,2025-09-10 09:00,2025-09-11 14:00,2025-09-13,9400100000000000000000,USPS

Best Practices

  1. Regular Syncs: Import data weekly for accurate tracking
  2. Consistent Formats: Ensure order numbers match exactly
  3. Complete Data: Include all shipment fields for full visibility
  4. Multiple Providers: Set up separate providers for each 3PL

Next Steps

Now that you’ve completed the initial setup:

  1. Learn about bulk operations
  2. Troubleshoot sync issues
  3. Set up regular data import schedules

Need Help?

See our troubleshooting guide for common issues.

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