Prioritize WMS compatibility and API/EDI connectivity, accuracy and on‑time fulfillment SLAs, inbound appointment flexibility, value‑add capabilities (kitting, labeling), and transparent reporting. Also assess seasonal labor capacity and contingency plans for carrier disruptions.

Placing inventory in the Billings area typically shortens transit to Mountain West customers and lowers TL/LTL lane miles for regional deliveries. Nationally, lower facility costs can offset slightly longer coast‑to‑coast transit with optimized hub routing and parcel carrier zone management.

Look for cloud WMS with real‑time inventory, carrier rate shopping, shipment tracking, event notifications, and proven API/EDI connectors to your OMS and ecommerce platforms. Reporting dashboards and exportable KPIs are important for continuous optimization.

Negotiate tiered storage and throughput pricing, clear SLA‑based chargebacks, defined demurrage and detention rules, scalable labor windows for peaks, termination notice periods, and a clause for technology/data ownership to protect operational continuity.