Prioritize carrier access and lane coverage, dock and staging throughput, WMS compatibility and reporting, labor availability and hourly cost, and real estate/occupancy pricing. Also evaluate cross‑dock capability, returns processing, and value‑added services that align with your SKU velocity and SLA targets.

Closer proximity reduces dray times, enables multi-carrier routing, and expands competitive rates through greater carrier density. That lowers landed cost and improves delivery windows for regional lanes, which is critical for reducing safety stock and meeting shorter eCommerce SLAs.

Require modern WMS with API/EDI connectivity to your OMS, real‑time inventory feeds, ASN capability, and performance dashboards. Confirm support for order routing rules, batch/slotting optimization, returns workflows, and automated reporting to maintain SLA compliance and accurate back‑office reconciliation.

Negotiate flexible space clauses, variable labor pricing tied to volume, short-term surge capacity, performance-based SLAs, and clear cost pass-throughs for third-party freight. Include ramp-up timelines, minimum volume commitments, and defined escalation paths for labor or carrier shortages.