Open source · GPL v3 · Windows, macOS & Linux

Bridging the gap between your ERP system and factory-floor labelling.

Commander4j takes materials and orders from your ERP, lets operators print GS1 / SSCC pallet and case labels, records what was made, and sends the production and despatch data back. It runs on a local database, so the line keeps labelling even when the link to head office is down.

How it fits together

Four applications, each doing one job. Your ERP stays the system of record; Commander4j and its companions run the shop floor.

Your systems
ERPSAP, Sage, Tropos, or any system that can write a file. Owns materials, orders and stock.
Integration
Middleware4jWatches folders, converts CSV, XML, IDOC and fixed-width files in either direction, routes them where they need to go.
Production & labelling
Commander4jDesktop application for the office and a browser app for hand-held scanners. Orders, labels, production, despatch, quality, waste, weights.
Label services
LabelServer & AutoLab4jBackground services that send label data to case labellers and print-and-apply pallet labellers, triggered by the line itself.
Shop floor
Printers & labellersZebra ZPL printers, Logopak and Videojet labellers, ordinary office printers for reports.

Data flows both ways: orders come down, and label-printed, pallet-confirmed and despatch messages go back up to the ERP. Every message that fails validation is kept, logged and can be reprocessed, so nothing is silently lost.

The core suite

Install Commander4j on its own for production recording and label printing. Add the companions when you need ERP integration or automatic labellers.

Commander4j
Core application

Desktop application, ERP interfaces and scanner web pages. Modules for pallet and case labelling, production recording, despatching, quality control, weight checks, waste recording and stock issue. Works with SQL Server, MySQL and Oracle.

Middleware4j
ERP integration

Converts files and messages between formats (CSV, fixed-width ASCII, XML, SAP IDOC and more), applies XSLT transformations and routes each message to one or more destinations. Runs as a background service.

LabelServer
Case & secondary labellers

Background service that takes label requests from Commander4j and sends the data to Zebra, Videojet and Logopak labellers over the network, so operators never touch the printer.

AutoLab4j
Automatic pallet labelling

Waits for a signal from the production line (MODBUS), generates the SSCC, prints the pallet label and tells Commander4j the pallet exists. Fully hands-off labelling at the end of the line.

Proven in production

In daily use at food, pet-food and logistics sites, driving pallet and case labellers around the clock. See who uses it.

Tools & utilities

Smaller open-source programs that grew out of the same work: label design and testing, device communication, file transfer and day-to-day helpers.

ZPLRenderer

Renders Zebra ZPL label commands on screen, from a file or over the network. Emulates a printer for testing.

LogoRenderer

Renders Logopak label templates and emulates a Logopak labeller's TCP protocol for local testing. Independent tool, not a Logopak product.

LogoClient

Companion to LogoRenderer for developing and testing solutions that talk to Logopak labellers. Independent tool, not a Logopak product.

SocketTest

Emulate a TCP/IP client or server to test printers, labellers and other network devices.

ModbusClient

Connect to a Modbus server, then view and change register and coil values.

ModbusServer

Run a Modbus server on your PC to simulate line equipment, then view and change its values.

sftpTransfer

Moves files automatically between a local folder and a remote SFTP server in both directions, with no manual intervention.

Menu4j

Tree-based menu for organising and launching applications and command-line scripts. Configuration is a single XML file.

LaunchPad

A replacement for the Launchpad application that Apple removed in macOS 26.