Evaluate port proximity, drayage times, and highway/rail access for transit-time reduction; WMS and API integrations for inventory visibility; cold-chain capability if required; dock capacity and throughput metrics; SLA guarantees for pick/pack and cut-off times; scalability for seasonal peaks and SKU growth.

Closer proximity reduces drayage and container dwell fees, shortens inbound lead times, and enables faster cross-dock and replenishment cycles. Improved access to major carriers supports consolidation opportunities and lower per-unit shipping rates, improving total cost-to-serve and on-time performance.

Require an enterprise-class WMS with real-time inventory, barcode/RFID support, and EDI/API connectivity; established returns and reverse-logistics processes; zone and batch picking for channel efficiency; temperature-controlled storage if needed; and transparent KPI reporting for accuracy and cycle times.

Compare opex (3PL fees, storage, per-order pick/pack) against capex (land, build-out, equipment), factor utilization assumptions, labor and management overhead, and time-to-market. Model scenarios for peak demand, scalability needs, and service-level impacts to determine breakeven and long-term TCO.