The active storage concept includes flow-through or cross-dock distribution, which uses warehouses for consolidation and assortment while maintaining minimal or no inventory in storage.
The resulting need for reduced inventory favors flow-through and cross-docking techniques that emphasize movement and de-emphasize storage. Flow-through distribution appropriate for high-volume, fast-moving products where quantities are reasonably predictable. While flow-through distribution places minimal demands on storage require into does require that product be quickly unloaded, de-unitized, grouped and sequenced customer assortments, and reloaded into transportation equipment. As a result, the materials handling emphasis is on accurate information-directed quick movement