Prioritize carrier access and transit times, warehouse automation and throughput, inventory accuracy (cycle counts, error rates), scalability for peak demand, and value-added services (kitting, returns). Verify SLA metrics, liability terms, and WMS/TMS integration capabilities to ensure real-world performance aligns with contractual KPIs.

Proximity to interstates, rail ramps, and ports lowers line-haul and last-mile costs and reduces transit days to major markets. Multi-modal access allows route optimization and carrier competition, which compresses rates; evaluate regional lane density and typical dwell times to estimate true transportation savings.

Compare storage (per-pallet, per-SKU), receiving and putaway fees, pick-pack and fulfillment fees (per-order, per-line), outbound freight markups, and value-added processing charges. Factor in minimums, seasonal surcharges, inventory shrink allowances, and expected labor productivity to model total landed fulfillment cost.

Typical onboarding runs 6–12 weeks for standard integrations: requirements, EDI/API mapping, test transactions, and parallel runs. Complex catalogs, multi-warehouse splits, or custom Kitting can extend timelines. Plan for data validation cycles, pilot volumes, and contingency inventory buffers during cutover.