Evaluate location versus customer density and transit times, dock and staging capacity, clear height and storage density, WMS and API compatibility, pick/pack throughput, SLA definitions for order accuracy and transit, scalability for peaks, and visibility/reporting for KPIs like OTIF and inventory turns.

Prioritize multimodal access (highways, rail, air), on-site cross-dock and staging, carrier density for parcel and LTL, proximity to interchanges, and the 3PL’s relationships with national and regional carriers to control transit times and freight cost.

Request metrics for same‑day/next‑day order cutoffs, reverse logistics workflows, inspection and refurbishment processes, kitting and bundling capabilities, and sample WMS transaction logs to confirm SKU handling, return cycle time and cost per return.

Compare effective rent, utility and labor rates, dock door counts, clear height and racking options, occupancy levels, inbound receiving capacity, and any regional incentives or tax benefits that affect total landed cost and operating margins.

Insist on a modern WMS with real‑time inventory, EDI and API connectors for marketplaces and ERP systems, carrier rate and tracking integrations, configurable reporting, role-based security, and support for ASN, lot/serial tracking and batch control to maintain traceability.