Prioritize port/drayage proximity, carrier hub access, bonded-storage availability, and WMS/TMS integration. Also evaluate labour productivity, automation (pick/pack systems), cold-chain capability if required, SLA reliability, and proximity to key customer clusters to minimize last-mile costs.

Warehousing rates in Navotas are often lower due to land and labour differentials; expect tradeoffs in immediate urban last-mile timing. Many 3PLs offer blended models (regional break-bulk + urban micro-fulfillment) to balance storage cost and delivery speed.

Key infrastructure: bonded zones, cross-dock lanes, temperature-controlled space, and mezzanine racking. IT: real-time WMS with APIs, TMS connectivity, EDI/merchant portals, and reporting for inventory/fulfillment KPIs to enable carrier rate-shopping and SLA monitoring.

Plan 8–12 weeks for operational onboarding including WMS integration, SOP alignment, slotting, and trial runs. SLA ramp periods are normal; expect iterative tuning on cut-off times, pick accuracy targets, and returns handling before steady-state performance.