Focus on measurable SLAs (order accuracy, ship time), tech compatibility (WMS/API integration), cost-to-serve analysis, labor scalability, and liability/insurance terms. Verify uplift rates, inbound appointment windows, and contingency plans for peak demand to align performance with business KPIs.

Proximity to gateways reduces dray and transit time, lowering inventory days and expedited freight usage. Strong carrier density improves parcel contract rates and service frequency, directly lowering last-mile costs and improving on-time delivery statistics.

Confirm automated receiving, racking and slotting strategies, temperature control if needed, barcode scanning, EDI/API connectivity, and reporting dashboards. Also review cycle-count procedures, security, and disaster recovery to ensure reliability for B2B orders.

Assess time-in-transit maps, carrier pick-up schedules, local SKU allocation, real-time inventory visibility, and order routing rules. Model cost-per-order scenarios for different fulfillment nodes to determine the optimum split between central DC, local micro-fulfillment, and cross-dock operations.