Prioritize corridor access, dock capacity, and carrier mix that match your service promise; evaluate inventory visibility (WMS), picking accuracy, and SLA metrics; confirm capacity for seasonal peaks and value‑add services. Include total landed cost modelling—storage, handling, and transport—to compare partners objectively.

Positioning inventory in Beaufort West reduces long‑haul repositioning between major metros and lowers land and handling expenses, but evaluate carrier lanes and final‑mile density: it optimizes intercity moves and consolidation but may increase last‑mile distance for dense urban clusters if not paired with satellite nodes.

Confirm multi‑channel order routing, SKU-level inventory visibility, pick‑pack accuracy, returns processing, and integration options (API/EDI) for marketplaces and carriers. Also verify peak throughput, packaging options, and SLA reporting for customer experience consistency.

Model total landed cost including transport lanes, inventory carrying, and handling rates; factor in carrier frequency, dwell time risk, and scalability options. Assess business continuity: utility resilience, labour availability, and access to emergency carriers to quantify service and operational risk.