Prioritize dock configuration and throughput, carrier integrations (LTL, parcel, regional carriers), returned‑goods workflows, and inventory visibility. Also review SLA guarantees, peak‑season scalability, and technology APIs for order routing and label generation to reduce transit times and cost per order.

Port access reduces ocean‑import drayage and supports containerized inbound flows; highway links (I‑37, US‑181) lower truck trips and improve regional delivery windows; rail interchange provides cost‑effective long‑haul moves for palletized freight and large replenishment orders.

Yes — lower industrial rent and land costs can reduce occupancy and enable larger DC footprints. Savings depend on lane density and customer locations; calculate total landed cost including line‑haul, drayage, and last‑mile to determine net advantage.

Typical onboarding runs 6–12 weeks: site selection and contract, IT integration (order and WMS APIs), slotting and labeling standards, inbound freight scheduling, test picks/shipments, then phased live operations. Timelines shorten if the 3PL has preconfigured SOPs and existing space available.