Evaluate racking systems, bay depth, dock availability, temperature-controlled capacity, cross-dock throughput, material handling equipment, workforce skill levels, and uptime. Confirm WMS functionality (inventory accuracy, cycle counting), safety/compliance records, and service-level guarantees for order accuracy and lead times.

Request transit-time maps and historical SLA reports, review parcel and LTL tender volumes, assess proximity to major carriers and intermodal facilities, and run sample fulfillment tests. Compare average days-in-transit to core markets and evaluate regional zone coverage for last-mile optimization.

Model inbound receiving, storage per pallet/unit, pick-and-pack labor, outbound freight rates, fuel and accessorials, value-added services, minimums, inventory carrying costs, and potential shrink. Include amortized onboarding/setup fees and expected variability from seasonal peaks.

Require a robust WMS with API or EDI integrations to your OMS, real-time inventory synchronization, order status updates, ASN capability, scanning and barcode validation, and reporting dashboards. Confirm SLAs for data latency, exception handling, and support for automated order routing.