Prioritize dock count and cross‑dock capability, pallet racking density, temperature control for cold chain, secure bulk storage, and dedicated packing lines. Confirm serialization/lot tracking, returns processing, kitting, and EDI/API integrations to support B2B order workflows and omnichannel routing.

Lower carrier density increases reliance on LTL consolidation and zone skipping; model lane-level transit times to identify opportunities for regional cross-docking and carrier pooling. Negotiate volume with regional carriers, and evaluate intermodal options to reduce linehaul costs while preserving delivery windows.

Require baseline KPIs in the contract: inventory accuracy, order accuracy, on‑time shipments, and claims rate. Include audit rights, regular operational reviews, penalty/rebate clauses for SLA breaches, integration testing milestones, and a pilot period to validate throughput and reporting accuracy before full scale launch.