Prioritize proximity to major arterial highways and Colombo port to reduce transit time and freight cost. Evaluate facility layouts for cross-docking and throughput, availability of bonded storage if you handle imports, and direct connections to national carriers and last-mile networks to ensure consistent lead times and scalable routing options.

Many providers in the area offer short-term surge capacity, seasonal labor pools, and flexible slotting. Key capabilities to confirm include scalable labor and storage, integrated WMS with multi-channel order routing, returns processing, and last-mile carrier partnerships to maintain SLAs during peak demand.

Compare landed cost impact (transport + handling), order cycle time, fill rate, inventory velocity, and per-order labor and handling charges. Also assess technology fees, minimums, and contingency costs for value-add services (kitting, temperature control) to understand total cost-to-serve.

Look for a modern WMS with real-time inventory visibility, API-based order and shipment integrations, standardized EDI or marketplace connectors, and customizable reporting dashboards. Robust exceptions handling, batch tracking, and integration with carrier rate shopping are important for maintaining service quality across channels.