Cross$-$docking or flow through distribution which eliminates storage in the warehouse and the subsequent need to pick stock to fill orders, can dramatically reduce labor and inventory carrying costs. The concept seems simple enough: Instead of unloading docks to other trucks and send the merchandise on to its intended final destination. Nothing to it$.$ Questions: $1.$ Is cross$-$docking really simple? $2.$ What are some of the complicating factors that make this simple concept becomes challenging to implement?PN$10$