Compare pick/pack rates, order accuracy, average dwell time, dock door count, racking and storage density, slotting strategy, and labor models. Also evaluate WMS capabilities, reporting cadence, SLA terms, and contingency plans for outages or volume spikes.

A regional 3PL can lower freight spend via shorter routes, enable zone skipping, consolidate LTL moves, and reduce last‑mile costs. Strategic placement of inventory also shortens delivery windows and supports cheaper carrier services for predictable SLAs.

Confirm real‑time WMS visibility, API or EDI integrations with your order platform, exception management workflows, standardized data exports, and SLA dashboards. Ask about uptime guarantees, inventory reconciliation frequency, and access to raw operational data.

Assess their temporary labor pools, available surge floor space, cross‑dock throughput, vendor‑managed inventory options, and third‑party carrier relationships. Review historical performance during peak periods, contractual flexibility for space and labor, and contingency plans for rapid volume changes.