Assess facility layout and storage capacity, WMS and API integration, accuracy of inventory visibility, available value‑added services (kitting, labeling, cold chain), carrier connectivity for regional lanes, workforce stability and documented SLAs with KPIs for order accuracy and lead times.

A local 3PL can reduce transit times to nearby regional markets and lower linehaul costs through consolidation. Benefits include faster replenishment cycles, reduced multi-hop transfers to inland customers, and improved last-mile options—though overall savings depend on lane density, carrier contracts and shipment profiles.

Prioritize robust WMS with real-time inventory, multi-carrier shipping integrations, scalable pick-and-pack operations, reverse logistics handling, temperature control where needed, and reporting/analytics to track cost-to-serve and service-level performance against business peaks.

Negotiate transparent pricing models (storage, pick/pack, handling), volume bands and minimums, clear SLAs and penalties for service failures, billing reconciliation cadence, termination and transition clauses, and liability/insurance limits to protect inventory and mitigate operational risk.