Prioritize order accuracy, on-time shipment rate, average dock turn time, and throughput (units/hour). Also evaluate WMS/TMS integration, carrier onboarding time, slotting flexibility, and value-added services such as kitting and returns handling to ensure SLA alignment.

Kangarli’s proximity to national highways and intermodal connectors reduces line-haul miles and facilitates regional carrier pools. Select 3PLs with established carrier contracts and regional DC access to optimize lane rates and improve predictability for next‑day and two‑day delivery windows.

Compare rent and occupancy, handling and pick-pack labor rates, inbound cross-dock fees, storage pricing tiers, and monthly minimums. Include carrier discounts, fuel surcharges, return processing costs and inventory carrying costs to calculate true per-order and per-unit economics.

Look for a robust WMS with API-based order and inventory exchanges, TMS connectivity for carrier tendering, real-time inventory visibility, EDI support, and analytics for throughput and SLA tracking. These features enable automated workflows and scalable operations.

Assess flexible labor pools, peak staffing plans, scalable racked capacity, overflow cross-dock options, and the 3PL’s historical performance during peaks. Request KPIs from prior seasonal periods and review contingency plans for carrier capacity constraints.