To deliver on this mission, Welch Group recognised the need for a modern, integrated technology ecosystem. The business adopted Clarus as its warehouse management system (WMS) and Qargo as its transport management system (TMS), intentionally selecting both platforms together to form the foundation of a scalable digital future. The key requirements were clear: robust APIs, browser-based access, and an open integration mindset.
Yet despite this vision, the day-to-day reality of disconnected systems created friction. Customers and staff were forced to enter the same order twice, once in each system. This duplication consumed time, introduced errors, and weakened customer confidence. Instead of focusing on service, teams spent hours reconciling and rekeying data. Welch Group’s journey began with a familiar challenge in logistics: an ambitious business held back by fragmented technology.
“We’ve made it our mission to innovate for how haulage should do it… you need to digitalise it.”
Overcoming WMS TMS Challenges
The first challenge was systemic. Clarus and Qargo operated as capable platforms, but without direct integration, workflows required duplication. Customers resisted entering the same names, addresses and details twice, while internal teams spent hours shifting data from one system to another. This inefficiency eroded productivity and delayed critical processes such as transport planning and warehouse dispatch.
The lack of integration also complicated Welch Group’s commercial approach. Sales teams could not easily present a seamless end-to-end service. Conversations often required careful framing to describe future integration benefits, rather than showing a live, joined-up flow. Customers hesitated, and opportunities slowed. With integration, the story became simpler: a single job entered once, flowing automatically from warehouse to transport.
Specific operational pains included:
- Stock and order inefficiency. Without reliable system-to-system data, teams rechecked and rekeyed, slowing throughput.
- Customer experience gaps. Without a single source of truth, customers resorted to calls and emails, creating extra work.
- Legacy barriers. Previous systems bundled limited warehouse features into TMS tools, but these neither scaled nor integrated effectively.
“I’ve never seen two systems speak the same language… it is very rare to find a TMS that can work together and is willing to develop together.”
Guiding Welch Group Toward Transformation
The turning point came when Welch Group worked with Clarus and Qargo to establish true integration. Both providers shared an open, collaborative mindset, prioritising connectivity over siloed functionality. Clarus positioned itself as the central warehouse hub, while Qargo provided seamless transport execution, each leveraging strong APIs and modern, browser-based architecture.
The solution worked because it addressed Welch Group’s real-world needs:
- Live process handoffs. Warehouse picks in Clarus could automatically generate transport jobs in Qargo, enabling planners to act earlier.
- Customer-ready portals. Clients saw the same information as operators, aligning communication and reducing queries.
- End-to-end data flow. Orders entered once flowed across both systems, eliminating duplication and manual reconciliations.
The “before” was duplication, delay and confusion. The “after” was single-entry automation, early transport planning and improved customer experience.
“It was a no brainer… being part of testing and ironing out creases was nice. Both teams were very responsive.”
Implementation: From Plan to Execution
Welch Group was among the earliest adopters of the Clarus–Qargo integration and played a hands-on role in shaping it. Implementation followed an iterative approach: testing, identifying issues, and refining processes with both providers. Early challenges included order data overwriting during warehouse scans, which were quickly resolved through joint development.
Onboarding simplified rather than expanded. Customers primarily engaged with Clarus, with Qargo integrated behind the scenes. This reduced training needs and streamlined setup for new clients.
Adoption progressed steadily. At first, staff double-checked data movements. As confidence grew, they stopped babysitting transfers and redirected attention to service, throughput and customer support.
Welch Group also pushed for additional integration features, including:
- Label workflows. Automating pallet and destination labels through Qargo to appear directly in Clarus, reducing warehouse context switching.
- Proof of delivery backfeed. Returning POD status from Qargo to Clarus to give customers one clear view.
“As soon as the warehouse team finish, the next step should be the yard scanning… integrate label generation, then get the PODs back.”
Results: WMS TMS Success in Action
Integration between Clarus and Qargo delivered transformative results for Welch Group.
100% admin time saved Duplicate entry was eliminated. When customers submit jobs directly, Welch Group saves 100% of the admin time previously spent rekeying. Even when staff enter jobs, admin is halved. The time reclaimed now fuels faster picking, quicker responses and a smoother day-to-day flow.
“We’re saving 100 percent of our time not having to input this data… customers are seeing like a 50 percent saving of their time as well.”
Sales momentum Commercially, integration became a “game changer”. Welch Group now pitches warehousing and transport as a single, live capability. This has accelerated sales cycles and unlocked growth in both services simultaneously.
Operational scale Transport grew into double digits without additional TMS cost or headcount, while warehousing expanded by 20–30% with staff added only for throughput, not admin.
Customer experience uplift Customers no longer juggle multiple portals, resulting in fewer calls and improved self-service visibility.
Cost savings and scalability Web-based delivery replaced costly on-premise infrastructure and licences, enabling the business to scale flexibly and affordably.
“It makes a traffic office or a warehouse… 100 times better. People know what’s going on, and they can rely on the data.”
Client Reflections and Lessons Learned
For Welch Group, the biggest lesson is clear: select technology partners who innovate and integrate. Clarus and Qargo were chosen not just for functionality, but for their shared willingness to co-develop and release improvements quickly.
The journey was not without challenges. Early issues, such as data overwriting, caused frustration. Yet these moments strengthened collaboration, with both providers responding quickly and building confidence. What remains is a more resilient, trusted way of working where warehouse, transport and customer portals align.
The leadership team highlights a broader truth: transformation requires investment of time and attention. Change can be disruptive, but in a low-margin industry like logistics, the gains compound into long-term advantage.
“Change is difficult, change is hard, but change is also great… and stimulates growth.”
WMS TMS Integration in Practice
The integration reshaped Welch Group’s daily operations:
- Plan while picking. As warehouse orders progress in Clarus, Qargo stages transport plans in parallel.
- Scan once, trust twice. Shared barcode logic means one scan has meaning in both systems.
- One-stop logistics. Labels, tracking and proof of delivery flow back to Clarus, creating a single pane of glass for staff and customers.
“It really is a true one stop shop.”
Innovation Roadmap: Beyond Today
Welch Group sees AI as the next step. Already, Qargo provides customer summaries and image quality scoring for POD photos, while trials are underway for AI-powered appointment booking and conversational data queries. With Clarus and Qargo’s API-driven foundations, the path to autonomous logistics (where AI handles exceptions and automation drives workflows) is within reach.
“You need to be in bed with partners and systems that want to embrace it… the next step is autonomy.”
Your Path to WMS TMS Success
Welch Group’s journey shows the power of integrated WMS and TMS systems. By eliminating duplicate entry, scaling operations without proportional headcount, and enhancing customer experience, the business unlocked both efficiency and growth.
If your business still runs WMS and TMS separately, map the hidden costs of rekeying, exporting, and reconciling data. Then compare them with the benefits of a single-entry, integrated ecosystem where warehouse, transport and customers share one source of truth.
“If you’re still running your TMS and WMS separately, have a good hard think about all the little processes that happen in between.” Connect with a WMS TMS integration partner who will meet you where you are, integrate seamlessly, and build the foundations for scalable growth. Ask to see a live demo of single-entry jobs flowing from warehouse to transport, labels and PODs included.