The demand for better customer service and the impact of data processing have forced management to look more closely at warehousing automation. Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RSs) are the focus in the revolution of warehousing automation. This article investigates the feasibility of using the stochastic Petri net technique to model AS/RSs. A Petri net is a graphics-based tool suitable for modeling manufacturing systems, computer systems, biological systems, etc. It can be used to model a system at different levels of abstraction. A Petri net graph of an AS/RS leads to the generation of a reachability table. The reachability table is, in turn, converted to a state table representation of a Markov process model of the AS/RS. The efficiency, control rules, bay assignment, and many other performance issues can then be studied using the Petri net model. This paper introduces Petri nets as alternative tools for the analysis of AS/RSs. To this end, a discussion on Petri nets, analytical approaches, and simulation is provided. The unique features and flexibilities of Petri nets are presented. Some important characteristics of AS/RSs such as concurrency, conflict, and deadlocking can be described and modeled using Petri nets. Possible extensions to this study are also discussed.
