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Software licences are a vital but often overlooked component of modern materials handling
operations. Across UK warehouses, factories, distribution centres, and logistics hubs, software
controls, monitors, and optimises the movement of goods, people, and equipment.
From warehouse management systems (WMS) and automation control platforms to fleet tracking and
inventory analytics, licensed software enables materials handling businesses to operate at speed,
scale, and accuracy. Gable Business Finance specialises in arranging asset finance for software
licences used specifically within the UK materials handling sector.
In today’s materials handling environments, physical equipment such as forklifts, conveyors,
robots, and racking systems cannot operate effectively without software. Software licences act as
the digital backbone of the operation, coordinating workflows, managing data, and enabling
automation.
Licensed software is used to:
As operations grow more complex, software licences become mission-critical rather than optional.
WMS platforms manage inventory, picking, packing, and dispatch activities. They provide real-time
visibility of stock locations and movements, supporting high-volume and multi-SKU operations.
WCS software sits between the WMS and physical automation. It controls conveyors, sorters, AS/RS,
and robotic systems, ensuring smooth material flow and prioritisation.
WES platforms optimise work allocation and order sequencing across manual and automated processes,
balancing labour and equipment usage.
Used to monitor forklifts, pallet trucks, vehicles, and mobile equipment, these systems track usage,
maintenance schedules, battery health, and operator behaviour.
Robotic delivery systems, AGVs, AMRs, and sortation systems rely on licensed software for navigation,
task allocation, and integration with warehouse systems.
Advanced analytics software provides insights into productivity, stock accuracy, order cycle times,
and capacity planning.
Unlike physical equipment, software licences are classified as soft assets. They often involve
subscription models, upfront licence fees, implementation costs, and ongoing support agreements.
For materials handling businesses, this can represent a significant investment, particularly when:
Gable Business Finance structures funding solutions that allow these costs to be spread over time,
aligning repayments with operational benefits.
Leasing allows businesses to fund software licences and implementation costs over a fixed term.
This is commonly used for WMS platforms, automation software, and fleet management systems.
Where software is bundled with hardware or automation projects, hire purchase can be used to fund
the combined solution as part of a wider materials handling investment.
Operating leases are suitable for subscription-based or rapidly evolving software, allowing
businesses to upgrade platforms as operational requirements change.
In certain cases, existing software investments can be refinanced to release capital for further
digital or automation upgrades.
Many automation projects fail to deliver full value without the right software infrastructure.
Gable Business Finance regularly supports funding packages that include:
By financing both hardware and software together, businesses can deploy fully integrated solutions
without excessive upfront expenditure.
Gable arranged lease finance for a new WMS rolled out across multiple UK distribution centres,
improving inventory accuracy and order throughput.
A growing online retailer financed robotics control software and WCS integration to support rapid
order fulfilment during peak trading periods.
Software licence finance enabled the integration of production systems with warehouse automation,
reducing bottlenecks and manual handling.
Gable Business Finance understands the complexity of funding software in materials handling
environments. We work with lenders experienced in soft asset finance and digital infrastructure,
ensuring software investments are funded efficiently and responsibly.
Our team supports businesses from initial assessment through to completion, ensuring finance
structures align with operational and technological objectives.
If your materials handling operation is investing in new software platforms or upgrading existing
systems, Gable Business Finance can help structure a tailored funding solution.
© 2026 Gable Business Finance. Specialist asset finance brokers for the UK materials handling sector.