Focus on order accuracy, on‑time shipment rate, pick‑and‑pack throughput, dock‑to‑stock cycle time, inventory turnover, claims rate, and labor productivity. Also assess WMS/API connectivity, SLA terms and penalties, billing transparency, and scalability for seasonal peaks to compare providers objectively.

Location influences zone-based carrier pricing, driver miles, and last‑mile delivery windows. A Mopipi DC can reduce transit miles to regional customers and lower carrier surcharges, but you must model warehousing rates, intermodal transfers, and route density to quantify true landed cost.

Require racked storage with adequate ceiling heights, high dock‑door and yard capacity, segregated returns and value‑add areas, climate control if needed, and a validated WMS with real‑time inventory. These features support split shipments, B2B pallet moves, and efficient reverse‑logistics flows.

Compare fixed occupancy and capex (fit‑out, equipment, staffing) against 3PL variable pricing (storage, throughput, receiving, pick/pack). Run scenario analyses for seasonality and growth, include hidden costs (returns, claims, integrations), and evaluate flexibility, speed to market, and balance‑sheet impact.