Assess transit times to key destinations, proximity to major motorways and intermodal terminals, carrier density (parcel and LTL), tariff and customs handling if applicable, warehouse capabilities (racking, temp control), and WMS/API integration. Also review labor availability, peak‑season flex, SLA terms, and real operational metrics such as dock turns and order accuracy.

Compare landed cost models that include storage (per pallet/unit), pick/pack rates, inbound/outbound handling, parcel and LTL rates, and ancillary fees (kitting, returns, temperature control). Model scenarios for current and forecasted volumes, average order value, and peak demand to evaluate total cost per order and breakeven points for different service tiers.

Key metrics include proximity to A‑class motorways, distance to intermodal terminals, percentage of same‑day/next‑day coverage to target markets, access to major parcel and LTL networks, warehouse bay capacity, available trailer yard space, and carrier pick‑up frequency. Validate with sample transit maps and carrier scorecards from the 3PL.

Require a modern WMS with real‑time inventory visibility, API connectivity for order flow and tracking, batch and lot traceability if needed, barcode scanning and cycle‑count procedures, defined SLA targets for order lead time and accuracy, and reporting cadence (daily/weekly KPIs). Request live demos and references to confirm execution.