Focus on WMS capabilities and API/EDI integrations, dock door count and flow, SKU storage density, labor productivity metrics, SLA commitments, and the 3PL’s carrier network. Also evaluate value‑add services (kitting, returns processing), contingency labor plans, security, and real‑time reporting to measure performance against your KPIs.

Closer access to ports, rail, and air reduces drayage and intermodal dwell time, shortens transit lanes to primary consumer clusters, and enables more flexible carrier choices. That combination lowers landed costs and last‑mile spend while improving predictability and potential same‑day/next‑day delivery options for dense nearby markets.

Require a modern WMS with real‑time inventory, open APIs or EDI for order flow, marketplace connectors, parcel and TMS integrations, electronic proof of delivery, and configurable reporting. These features enable automated order routing, accurate stock visibility across channels, and faster exception handling.

Compare total landed costs (storage, handling, outbound, returns), throughput per labor hour, occupancy efficiency, and overtime trends. Review contract flexibility for scale-up/scale-down, access to temporary labor, and the 3PL’s historical peak performance. Pilot runs and clear SLA/penalty clauses help validate scalability before full commitment.