Shortlist on WMS integration and API capability, pick accuracy and order cycle time, SLA guarantees for OTIF, scalability for peak demands, returns and reverse-logistics processes, value-added handling (kitting/labeling), insurance and compliance, and transparent reporting for inventory and cost-to-serve metrics.

Location drives drayage and driver time, access to arterial roads and proximate parcel hubs reduces last-mile distance and transit zones, and proximity to ports or rail lowers inbound lead times. Choosing a site near major carrier hubs can materially cut parcel zones and reduce per-shipment costs.

3PLs use a mix of storage-per-pallet or per-cubic-foot, pick-and-pack per-order or per-line, inbound receiving per-hour or per-pallet, returns processing fees, value-added service charges, and accessorials. Benchmark effective monthly storage, average pick cost, receiving throughput, and any minimums or chargebacks.

Track OTIF and order cycle time, order and line-item accuracy, warehouse utilization and inventory days-of-supply, pick velocity and throughput per labor hour, return processing time, shrinkage rates, and monthly cost-per-order to measure operational performance and commercial alignment.