Prioritize capacity for peak volumes, dock and staging capacity, WMS integration and real-time inventory visibility, pick-and-pack accuracy rates, returns handling, and established parcel and LTL carrier contracts. Also evaluate SLA guarantees, onboarding timelines, and value-added services such as kitting or thermal labeling to match service expectations.

Multimodal access reduces transit-time variability by enabling TL, intermodal rail, and parcel routing choices. That improves lane competition and gives negotiating leverage on rates. For national distribution, proximity to rail hubs and major highways can lower linehaul costs and shorten delivery windows compared with single-mode routing.

Look for flexible labor models, surge staffing plans, modular racking, pick-path optimization, and ability to deploy temporary storage or micro-fulfillment nodes. Assess conveyor, put-wall, and WMS-configured batch/piece-picking automation that can scale throughput without large SLA impacts during peak periods.

Compare total landed cost (warehousing, handling, outbound freight, returns), average transit days to primary customer zones, on-time delivery rates, unit pick cost, and chargeback/exception incidence. Use zone-based parcel modeling and SKU-level cube and velocity data to predict cost-to-serve differences between providers.