Prioritize carrier access and transit windows to your main customer clusters, warehouse proximity to trunk routes, available dock capacity, SLA for pick-and-pack, and integration options (API/WMS). Also evaluate cost-to-serve by SKU velocity and the provider’s ability to scale during peak demand.

Selecting a facility in Putumayo can reduce inland transit for nearby production origins and lower last-mile costs by positioning inventory closer to demand centers. It can also streamline cross-border flows when located near border corridors, but factor in customs handling and potential multimodal transfer times.

Confirm warehouse footprint and racking flexibility, real-time WMS access, EDI/API integration, inventory accuracy metrics, security and insurance terms, and value-added service capabilities such as kitting, returns processing, and temperature control if required.

Onboarding typically spans 6–12 weeks depending on complexity: initial site assessment and SLA negotiation (1–2 weeks), systems integration and testing (2–4 weeks), inventory transfer and pilot picking (2–4 weeks), then ramp to full operations with performance reviews in the following month.