Focus on accuracy (order and inventory), on-time shipments, average lead times, and SLA penalties. Evaluate WMS capabilities, API connectivity, pick/pack productivity, returns processing, minimum order quantities, and reporting cadence to ensure the provider meets your transactional and volume variability needs.

Map customer delivery density relative to potential sites, confirm primary carrier lane availability, and evaluate proximity to main highways, terminals, or inland distribution hubs. Prioritize locations that reduce multi-stop routing and enable consolidation to lower per-unit freight spend and transit variability.

Negotiate scalable rate structures, short notice capacity addendum, inventory handling tiering, performance-based SLAs, and transparent chargebacks for value-added services. Include KPIs, audit rights, and exit/transition timelines to avoid operational disruption during growth or network changes.

Require modern WMS with real-time inventory, EDI/API integrations to your OMS/ERP, shipment tracking, and outbound analytics. Confirm daily inventory reconciliation, exception workflows, and dashboard access for demand forecasting, replenishment triggers, and SLA monitoring.