Prioritize dock configuration and yard capacity, racking and cubic utilization, available handling equipment, cold‑chain and bonded options, and WMS/API capabilities for real‑time inventory. Also assess receiving lead times, order SLA, local labor skills, safety/compliance, and contingency plans for seasonal volume spikes.

Closer proximity to major trunk routes reduces mileage and fuel costs while higher carrier density increases pickup frequency and lowers deadhead. Evaluate carrier networks, regional consolidation opportunities, and scheduled trunk services to improve delivery windows and reduce per‑order transport spend.

Expect modular pricing: storage by pallet or cubic meter, pick/pack per order or per line, receiving and special handling fees, and value‑add charges. Negotiate transparent KPIs, volume tiers, minimums, and short review periods to allow rate resets as volumes scale or seasonality shifts.

Track on‑time fill rate, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, dock‑to‑stock lead time, order cycle time, and cost per order. Monitor carrier pickup adherence, returns processing time, and SLA compliance. Use regular scorecards and quarterly business reviews to drive continuous improvement.