Prioritize on‑time shipment rate, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, pick‑to‑ship cycle time, and dock‑to‑delivered lead times. Also review claims rate, SLA penalties, throughput flexibility, and WMS integration capability to ensure operational transparency and predictable customer experience.

Proximity to main roads and carrier terminals reduces linehaul and last‑mile charges, lowering landed cost per order. Shorter transit translates to lower buffer inventory needs and reduced safety stock holding costs, improving cash conversion and service economics.

Require a modern WMS with real‑time inventory visibility, standard EDI/API connections, carrier rate shopping, returns management, and reporting dashboards. Confirm support for batch processing, ASN handling, and integrations to your ERP or ecommerce platform.

Look for kitting/assembly, pick‑and‑pack optimization for both unit and parcel orders, lot/batch traceability, temperature‑controlled storage (if needed), and efficient reverse logistics. These services allow a single facility to support mixed order profiles while controlling unit economics.