Excellent article in a recent Suplly Chain Management Review about the 7 keys to facility location : http://www.scmr.com/article/CA6558638.html?rssid=68

I totally agree in the fact that computer models can’t do everything and that a visit, on site, is the best complement. Local Development agencies (like the one I work in) can help in « humanizing » the location models: we help companies to visit the potential sites (buildings or lands) for their future facility and most of all, to meet the right partners and connexions locally. This service is pre-paid by the regions, or area, the development agency covers, so…. it’s worth the try and is much complementary to the classical computer models !