Prioritize measurable operational capabilities: WMS and ERP integration, SLA guarantees (order-to-ship times), inbound/outbound dock capacity, carrier connectivity, and peak-season labor scalability. Also verify value-added services (kitting, temperature control, returns processing) and transparent reporting on fill rates and cycle times.

Carrier density and multimodal links reduce handling and transit miles, which lowers freight cost and delivery variability. Evaluate direct LTL lanes, local parcel carrier hubs, port/air proximity, and first/last-mile partner options to model expected transit times and landed cost to your customer zones.

Negotiate clear billing—storage, pick/pack, receiving, and value-added rates—and performance KPIs: order accuracy, on-time ship rate, dock-to-stock time, and SLA penalties. Include volume tiers, seasonal labor clauses, and exit/transition terms to mitigate cost surprises.

Confirm real-time WMS APIs, EDI or webhooks for order management, inventory visibility across channels, chargeback handling, and reporting exports. Validate test environments, go-live timelines, and support for promotions, split-shipments, and returns workflows to ensure seamless omnichannel execution.