Prioritize transit time to your customer base, SKU velocity handling, WMS/API integration, pick-and-pack accuracy, and scalable labor. Evaluate dock capacity, slotting flexibility, returns processing, and SLA penalties. Also assess carrier access and peak-season labor plans to ensure consistent throughput and cost control.

Proximity to highways, rail terminals, and distribution corridors in this region lowers linehaul and last-mile costs and reduces transit variability. Greater carrier density improves rates and capacity during peaks, allowing tighter delivery windows and smaller inventory buffers—directly lowering working capital and expedite spend.

Require a WMS with EDI/API connectivity, ASN and pallet-level tracking, batch/lot controls, and configurable pick rules. Confirm cross-dock capability, staging for carrier-specific labeling, compliance packaging, and KPI reporting for OTIF, accuracy, and lead-time monitoring to meet B2B and retail SLAs.

Build a cost-to-serve model that includes storage, handling (pick/pack), inbound/outbound freight assumptions, returns handling, and ancillary fees (kitting, labeling). Layer in service-level penalties, seasonal labor uplifts, and projected inventory days to calculate landed fulfillment cost per order for apples-to-apples comparison.