Evaluate WMS compatibility and EDI/API integrations, inventory accuracy rates, pick-and-pack throughput, receiving and cross-dock lead times, cold-chain availability if needed, and demonstrated experience handling your product category and seasonal peaks.

A centrally located facility shortens last-mile distances to surrounding urban centers, reduces drayage to ports, and can lower LTL zone counts—directly cutting transit days and per-order freight spend for both B2C and B2B orders.

Require a modern WMS with real-time inventory tracking, order management integrations, configurable KPIs for TSA, pick accuracy, and cutover reporting, plus carrier rating tools and dashboards that expose exception and cycle-time metrics.

Compare base storage and handling, inbound and outbound freight modelling by SKU, accessorials, and minimum billing thresholds. Review carrier contracts and transit lanes offered, and request sample lane pricing and a modeled monthly P&L for representative SKUs.

Include SLA metrics for order accuracy, on-time shipment rate, inventory reconciliation cadence, receiving and putaway timelines, and predefined remedies for missed SLAs. Also set review cadences for capacity planning and seasonal adjustments.