Prioritize throughput (orders/hour and pallet moves/day), WMS/API integration, dock capacity and shift patterns, pick-and-pack accuracy, cold or hazardous storage if needed, and SLA terms for returns and lead times. Evaluate carrier mix and proximity to port and trunk routes to optimize landed cost and transit reliability.

Larne's RoRo and ferry services shorten sea transit and reduce dray distance to main trunk routes, lowering total transport days and handling steps. This typically reduces last-mile costs and improves schedule reliability for shipments to GB and ROI, especially for time-sensitive eCommerce and replenishment flows.

Include clear KPIs for order accuracy, dock appointment adherence, inventory visibility, chargeback thresholds, and seasonality ramps. Define throughput and storage pricing bands, minimum billing, liability limits, termination terms, and IT/EDI uptime. Consider SLAs for returns processing and peak staffing guarantees.

Request a technical demo of the WMS, review API documentation and sample integrations, and run a pilot with representative SKUs and order profiles. Assess reporting cadence, exception workflows, and scalability plans for peak volumes. If helpful, include a short paid trial to measure real-world SLA performance.