Evaluate proximity to major roads and rail, carrier density and lane frequency, WMS and carrier integrations, SLA terms (cutoff times, order accuracy), and value-add services like kitting and returns. Prioritize providers that publish KPIs and support scalable labor during peaks.

Use Solothurn as a consolidation node: short domestic drayage to major Swiss centers, rail or road feeders to Basel/Zurich gateways for EU transit, and access to customs brokers for efficient export clearance. Design lanes to balance inventory placement versus transport frequency to lower total landed cost.

Require WMS with real-time inventory APIs, OMS/ERP connectivity, carrier rate and tracking integrations, and documented SLAs for order accuracy, on-time shipment, and cut-off adherence. Also confirm seasonal labor plans and contingency capacity for volume surges.

Compare per-m² rent, handling and pick fees, inbound/outbound transport costs, labor rates, minimum throughput penalties, and the availability of shared vs dedicated space. Factor in trade-offs: slightly higher transport to a larger metro may be offset by lower storage and handling fees in Solothurn.