Focus on total landed cost per order rather than rent alone. Compare transit time matrices to your customer zones, evaluate provider SLA performance, and check labor productivity metrics. Assess crossdock capability, same-day pick options, and whether the 3PL supports inventory segmentation for fast/slow movers.

Prioritize interstate and regional route access, nearby TL and LTL carrier terminals, intermodal rail options, and local last-mile partnerships. Also confirm dock configuration, trailer parking, and appointment scheduling systems that support omnichannel peaks.

Compare pick accuracy, orders per labor hour, average dwell time, receiving cycle time, on-time shipping rate, and claims ratio. Also evaluate IT integration latency (EDI/API), inventory accuracy, and SLA remedies in contract terms.

Use near-market inventory to shorten replenishment cycles, consolidate LTL moves to reduce handling costs, and negotiate zone-skipping with carriers. Evaluate cross-docking and bulk-to-case splitting to lower order cycle time without inflating inventory carrying cost.

Ask about surge staffing models, temporary storage solutions, and ramp timelines. Confirm WMS capabilities (lot tracking, kitting, wave picking), API/EDI integration, reporting granularity, and disaster-recovery procedures for continuity during peak demand.