Prioritize OTIF (on-time in-full), order cycle time, pick-and-pack accuracy, inventory accuracy, and dwell time. Also evaluate throughput during peak windows, SLA penalties, onboarding timelines, and TMS/WMS integration capabilities to ensure visibility and predictable cost-to-serve.

Location affects transit times, carrier rates, and last-mile coverage. Choose 3PLs near major interstates, regional sort hubs, or air gateways to reduce transit days and access a broader parcel/LTL carrier mix. This lowers shipping zones and supports faster delivery promises.

Request material handling equipment, racked storage density, clear ceiling heights, temperature control, cross-dock capability, returns processing, kitting/assembly, and EDI/API integrations. Confirm scalability for peak season and contingency plans for labor or capacity shortages.

Build a model capturing inbound freight, storage by cube and duration, pick/pack labor rates, packing materials, outbound parcel/LTL rates, returns handling, and any value-added operations. Include scenario analyses for peak volume, return spikes, and zone-skipping to see true cost-to-serve.