Evaluate transit-time reductions to target markets, dock and cross-dock capacity, average order-pick throughput, IT/API integrations for real-time inventory, SLA guarantees (OTIF, order accuracy), and reverse-logistics capability. These operational levers typically have greater impact on total landed cost and customer experience than headline unit rates.

A Curvelo-based warehouse improves access to regional carrier lanes and reduces linehaul distance to interior markets, enabling more frequent LTL and route density. That can lower per-shipment linehaul costs and improve delivery windows for B2B and last-mile eCommerce flows, when paired with established carrier contracts and consolidated scheduling.

Benchmark storage cost per pallet position, handling and pick fees, average dwell time, order throughput (lines/hour), labor productivity, and capacity flexibility. Also assess facility specs (dock doors, ceiling height, racking), proximity to carriers, and the 3PL's ability to scale during peak seasons to avoid idle costs or service failures.

Conduct operational audits, review peak-season staffing plans, request SLA performance history (OTIF, accuracy), verify tech integrations and EDI/API capability, confirm contingency capacity and subcontractor networks, and track KPIs such as lead-time variability, order fill rate, and return-processing time to validate scalability.