Focus on order-to-ship time, dock-to-stock throughput, inventory accuracy, SLA penalties, and inbound receipt capacity. Validate WMS integration, EDI/APIs, reporting cadence, and contingency plans for peak volume. Compare unit handling costs and dimensional pricing to understand true landed cost.

Request carrier lane maps, transit-time reports, and sample routing guides. Assess frequency of linehaul departures, access to trunk carriers and LTL partners, and average transit variability. Ask for historical SLA attainment and references on final‑mile performance to key distribution customers.

Require clear information on dock count, clear height, racking density, cold or bonded facilities if needed, and value‑added service capabilities (kitting, returns, QC). Verify staffing models, peak labor scaling, and technology stack compatibility for inventory visibility.

Evaluate fixed vs. variable cost mix, billing granularity (per-pallet, per-SKU, per-order), minimum throughput clauses, and surcharge triggers for labor or seasonality. Review onboarding fees, inventory carrying rates, term length, and exit provisions to avoid hidden costs.