Prioritize location relative to your customer base and key carriers, WMS capability and integrations, available service types (racked, temp control, cross-dock), scalability and seasonal capacity, transparent pricing and cost-to-serve modeling, and clearly defined SLAs and KPIs for pick accuracy, on-time fulfillment and returns handling.

Transit times and carrier density determine parcel mix, LTL routing efficiency and last-mile cost. Closer proximity to national routes reduces fuel and driver time, enabling lower per-shipment costs and shorter promised delivery windows. Evaluate available carrier contracts, consolidation options and typical transit SLA performance when modeling landed fulfillment costs.

Expect racked storage, bulk pallet positions, temperature-controlled areas, dedicated pick-and-pack zones, kitting and light assembly, returns processing and cross-docking. Also confirm WMS functionality, EDI/API integrations, lot/batch traceability, and the provider’s capabilities for routing and carrier selection.

Request a cost-to-serve analysis for representative SKUs, sample pick-and-pack quotes, detailed SLA terms with penalties, onboarding timelines, WMS integration approach, and capacity ramp plans. Include scenario-based pricing for peak volumes and returns to ensure comparisons reflect real operational variability.