Prioritize carrier access (road, rail, port proximity), WMS and EDI capabilities, footprint flexibility for seasonal peaks, SLA history, and value-added services like kitting and returns. Evaluate total landed cost including throughput-based fees, pick/pack rates, and inbound receiving capacity to match your fulfillment model.

Viterbo generally offers lower lease and labor costs than metropolitan Rome and northern hubs, reducing fixed occupancy and handling expenses. This enables 3PLs to offer more competitive storage rates and scale labor for peaks, but confirm local labor skill levels and overtime policies to predict seasonal cost variance.

Assess time-to-port and time-to-airport routes, express carrier pickup schedules, and last-mile reach to major Italian population centers. Confirm multi-carrier options for parcel and pallet freight to avoid single-carrier congestion and ensure predictable transit windows for both domestic and EU cross-border fulfillment.

Require WMS with real-time inventory visibility, EDI/API connectivity for order flow, standard KPI dashboards (OTIF, order cycle time, inventory accuracy), and audit access. Request sample reports, SLA terms with service credits, and a plan for integration and go-live testing to validate data integrity and exception workflows.