Prioritize WMS/TMS compatibility, SLA clarity, pick‑and‑pack throughput, inbound receiving and cross‑dock capacity, cold‑chain if required, and carrier contracts with regular sailings and trucking lanes. Evaluate KPIs (OTD, order accuracy, dock-to-stock time) and cost‑to‑serve modeling to compare providers.

Port and feeder access shortens ocean legs to other Mindanao ports and inter‑island routes, while direct links to main highways reduce road transit to metropolitan demand centers. Frequent sailings and reliable local trucking lower dwell times and enable consolidation strategies that improve per‑order shipping economics.

Compare storage (per pallet/unit), pick‑and‑pack fees, inbound receiving and inspection charges, handling for oversized or temperature‑controlled SKUs, minimum monthly fees, seasonal peaks, and surcharges (fuel, remote area). Model total cost‑to‑serve per SKU to reveal real differences.

Expect a phased timeline: 2–4 weeks for discovery and SLA negotiation, 2–6 weeks for WMS/TMS integration and testing, and 1–2 weeks of parallel processing and staff training. Complex omnichannel or cold‑chain implementations can extend to 8–12 weeks depending on IT and process alignment.