information storage and retrieval

information storage and retrieval, the systematic process of collecting and cataloging data so that they can be located and displayed on request. Computers and data processing techniques have made possible the high-speed, selective retrieval of large amounts of information for government, commercial, and academic purposes. There are several basic types of information-storage-and-retrieval systems. Document-retrieval systems store entire documents, which are usually retrieved by title or by key words associated with the document. In some systems, the text of documents is stored as data. This permits full text searching, enabling retrieval on the basis of any words in the document. In others, a digitized image of the document is stored, usually on a write-once optical disc. Database systems store the information as a series of discrete records that are, in turn, divided into discrete fields (e.g., name, address, and phone number); records can be searched and retrieved on the basis of the content of the fields (e.g., all people who have a particular telephone area code). The data are stored within the computer, either in main storage or auxiliary storage, for ready access. Reference-retrieval systems store references to documents rather than the documents themselves. Such systems, in response to a search request, provide the titles of relevant documents and frequently their physical locations. Such systems are efficient when large amounts of different types of printed data must be stored. They have proven extremely effective in libraries, where material is constantly changing.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (often referred to as ASRS or AS/RS) refers to a variety of computer-controlled methods for automatically depositing and retrieving loads from defined storage locations. Systems of this nature have been used for years in manufacturing and warehouse facilities.

ASRS technology is just beginning to be used in large libraries, particularly at universities. It is used mostly to retrieve seldom-used books and periodicals that are kept in storage vaults. It works via a robotic "arm" that quite literally fetches materials from archival locations.

Libraries using Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems

• University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
• Christopher Center, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana
• Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
• University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (opening fall 2010)
• University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Waseda University, Tokyo (Japan)
• Utah State University, Logan, Utah
• Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
• California State University Northridge, Northridge, California
• Defense Visual Information Center, March Air Reserve Base, Riverside County, California
• Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (opening 2010)
• Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois

A few different types of Automated Storage Retrieval Systems

• Vertical Carousels
• Vertical Lift Modules (VLM)
• Horizontal Carousels
• Robotics
• Mini Loads - also known as mini load stackers
• Unit load stackers
• Compact 3D AS/RS
• While this is a very short list of ASRS devices, there are many more ASRS's manufactured and deployed...

Other Industries/Applications for Automated Storage Retrieval Systems

• Warehousing
• Manufacturing
• Clean Rooms
• Kitting
• Work in Process (WIP)
• Lean Manufacturing
• Cell Manufacturing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Automobile
• Small Parts Distribution
• Grocery Distribution
• Mail Order Fulfillment
• e-Commerce