Confirm WMS functionality (real‑time inventory, cycle counts), SLA commitments for pick/pack/ship, lead times, dock capacity, kitting and returns handling, cold chain if required, and API/EDI connectivity for carrier and marketplace integrations. Also request historical KPIs (accuracy, OTIF, dwell) and scalability plans.

Closer proximity to major ports and arterial highways reduces drayage, cut transit times, and lowers LTL and parcel costs. Shorter regional lanes enable faster trunk-to-last‑mile handoffs and often permit same‑day or next‑day service to dense urban markets, improving inventory turns and lowering safety stock requirements.

Require a modern WMS with barcode/RFID support, real‑time inventory APIs, EDI or REST connectivity to carriers and marketplaces, and dashboard reporting for inventory accuracy, order-cycle time, fill rate, and exceptions. Insist on automated ASN, batch tracking, and configurable alerts for SLA breaches.

Evaluate rent (per pallet or per sqm), inbound/outbound handling, pick/pack fees, minimums, special handling, returns processing, and labor surcharges. Carrier contracts (parcel and LTL) and dimensional weight impacts on postage also materially affect unit cost. SKU velocity, cube utilization, and consolidation depth determine the final per‑order economics.