Prioritize operational capabilities that align to your service promises: dock capacity and inbound/outbound velocity, carrier integrations and routing options, inventory visibility (WMS/API), customs and bonded services if needed, scalable labor and shelving systems, and clear KPIs for shrinkage, OTIF, and pick accuracy.

Warehousing in this region can reduce regional transit times by positioning stock closer to northern corridors, but final delivery depends on carrier density and last-mile partners. Evaluate parcel and LTL carrier presence, scheduled cutoffs, and distribution lane frequency to model expected delivery windows and costs.

Key cost drivers include storage density and cube utilization, labor rates and productivity, inbound receiving complexity, packaging and value-added services, and outbound carrier rates. Optimize by right-sizing safety stock, consolidating SKUs, negotiating banded rates, and using slotting to improve pick productivity.

Onboarding typically ranges from 6 to 12 weeks depending on complexity. Validate: operational layout, WMS integration and EDI/API connectivity, sample receiving and QA flows, SLA and KPI definitions, contingency plans for peak seasons, and a staged cutover with performance milestones.