Evaluate WMS functionality and API/EDI connectivity, dock door count and cross-dock throughput, racking density and slotting flexibility, cold-chain capacity if required, SLA guarantees for pick-and-pack and cut-off times, returns handling, and reporting/BI for inventory and fulfillment KPIs.

Access to national expressways and regional rail reduces door-to-door transit and fuel costs, enabling tighter delivery windows and consolidation. Faster overland connectivity lowers LTL rates and can offset longer distances to coastal ports when modelling landed cost and service-level impacts.

Prioritize inventory visibility and omnichannel order orchestration, kitting and light assembly, expiration and lot tracking, rework and QC, customized labeling and packaging, and reverse logistics processes. Technology for real-time order routing and SLA monitoring is critical for omnichannel success.

Run landed-cost scenarios that include inventory carrying costs, inbound consolidation, last-mile transit, and potential service-level penalties. Compare multi-node strategies, seasonal inventory placement, and carrier frequency to identify the configuration that minimizes total cost while meeting lead-time and service targets.