Prioritize metrics that reflect service and cost: order accuracy, picks per hour, inventory accuracy, dock-to-stock times, average order cycle time, and chargeable storage utilization. Also review onboarding lead time and technology compatibility (WMS/API) to ensure integration with your OMS and shipping platforms.

Closer proximity to ports and main highways reduces domestic drayage, transit variability, and inventory-in-transit days, lowering landed costs and improving ETA reliability. Choose sites that balance lower real estate costs with direct access to major carrier routes to optimize both cost and speed.

Require capabilities for split-case picking, batch processing, EDI/API order flows, ASN and palletized B2B shipping, reverse logistics with inspection workflows, and configurable SLAs. A robust WMS with inventory visibility across channels is essential for omnichannel order orchestration.

Negotiate clear SLAs for order accuracy, OTIF, receiving and putaway windows, and inventory reconciliation cadence. Define rate tables for storage, handling, returns, and chargebacks; include volume bands, minimums, and an exit strategy with data return and inventory transfer terms.

Direct WMS-to-OMS/API integration enables real-time inventory, automated order routing, label and manifest generation, and exception alerts. Integrated reporting reduces manual reconciliation, speeds issue resolution, and supports data-driven decisions on slotting, labor planning, and carrier selection.