A new computer-based analytical tool designed to help organizations maximize their distribution center space and labor using the latest automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) can be downloaded for free at www.mhia.org/bs/cvlm.

Developed by a subcommittee of the Material Handling Industry of America's AS/RS Council, the program prompts the user to answer a series of questions, and then delivers results that allow him or her to determine the number of units, floor space and manhours needed. The program can be used to optimize part or all of an operation.