Prioritize WMS capabilities, dock door count and configuration, racking density, throughput (orders per hour), SLAs for pick/pack/ship, inventory accuracy targets, security and insurance, and value-added services such as kitting and returns. Ask for historical KPIs and technology stack to ensure alignment with your order profile and peak volumes.

Cheyenne's location on I-80 and I-25 shortens highway miles to Mountain West and central routes, reducing fuel and linehaul costs. Regional rail access supports intermodal optimization for heavy freight. Evaluate LTL and TL networks available through local 3PLs, frequency of departures, and parcel carrier pickup windows to model true transit-time and landed-cost impacts.

Cost components include base storage rates, handling and pick fees, inbound/outbound receiving charges, pallet storage tiers, value-added service fees, utilities, and potential CAM charges. Negotiate contract length, volume discounts, SLA penalties, scalability clauses for peak seasons, and clear exit terms to avoid unforeseen costs as volumes change.

Require demonstration of real-time inventory visibility, APIs or EDI for order and shipment exchange, order management orchestration, integration with major carriers, and dashboard reporting. Confirm reconciliation processes, exception workflows, and the ability to support marketplace/sales-channel connectivity for omnichannel order routing.

Expect generally lower wage rates than major metros but a smaller local labor pool. Ask 3PLs about flexible workforce plans, temp agency relationships, cross-training, overtime management, and automation options. Validate historical peak staffing performance and contingency plans for sudden volume spikes to ensure service continuity.