Prioritize metrics that drive cost-to-serve and service reliability: pick accuracy, average order cycle time, minimum order quantities, inventory holding fees, pallet vs. piece rates, WMS/API compatibility, and carrier contract leverage. Validate SLAs for on-time fulfillment, inbound dwell, and exception handling. Also review scalability for seasonal peaks and SKU proliferation.

Request standardized rate cards and a total cost model that includes inbound receiving, storage, pick/pack, returns, and accessorials. Compare SLA definitions for cutoffs, chargeback terms, inventory reconciliation cadence, and contingency response. Run a 90-day scenario model using representative SKUs and forecasted volumes to surface opaque charges.

A Brookings location can shorten last-mile zones to key regional markets and reduce cross-country line-haul when paired with intermodal options. Expect improved delivery windows to surrounding states and lower freight rates for zone-dense shipments. Map carrier lanes and distribution windows to SKU demand profiles to quantify delivery SLA improvements and inventory repositioning benefits.