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.
Four applications, each doing one job. Your ERP stays the system of record; Commander4j and its companions run the shop floor.
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.
Pallet labelling is where it started. Around it sit the functions a production site needs day to day, all working from the same database.
Install Commander4j on its own for production recording and label printing. Add the companions when you need ERP integration or automatic labellers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These companies support open-source development by providing their tools free of charge to this project. Installers are built with install4j, the multi-platform installer builder, and performance problems are found with JProfiler, the Java profiler, both from ej-technologies. The code is written in Eclipse with WindowBuilder, the XML in Oxygen, the databases are managed in Navicat, and the Java inside every installer is Azul Zulu. Read more about each.
In daily use at food, pet-food and logistics sites, driving pallet and case labellers around the clock. See who uses it.
Free community support through the GitHub Issues and Discussions pages for each application, or the Mantis bug tracker. For formal support contracts, email support@commander4j.com.
Every application here is released under the GNU General Public License v3. Source code lives in the C4J organisation on GitHub.
Smaller open-source programs that grew out of the same work: label design and testing, device communication, file transfer and day-to-day helpers.
ZPLRendererRenders Zebra ZPL label commands on screen, from a file or over the network. Emulates a printer for testing.
LogoRendererRenders Logopak label templates and emulates a Logopak labeller's TCP protocol for local testing. Independent tool, not a Logopak product.
LogoClientCompanion to LogoRenderer for developing and testing solutions that talk to Logopak labellers. Independent tool, not a Logopak product.
SocketTestEmulate a TCP/IP client or server to test printers, labellers and other network devices.
ModbusBridgeRelays values between a Modbus client and server, bridging communication between Modbus devices.
ModbusClientConnect to a Modbus server, then view and change register and coil values.
ModbusServerRun a Modbus server on your PC to simulate line equipment, then view and change its values.
sftpTransferMoves files automatically between a local folder and a remote SFTP server in both directions, with no manual intervention.
SFTPGetWatches a remote SFTP folder and moves each file that appears to a local folder.
SFTPPutWatches a local folder and moves each file that appears to a remote SFTP folder.
XMLViewA simple viewer for XML documents, handy for checking interface messages.
Menu4jTree-based menu for organising and launching applications and command-line scripts. Configuration is a single XML file.
TreeDocCreates plain-text documents that describe a folder structure.
LaunchPadA replacement for the Launchpad application that Apple removed in macOS 26.