Storage assignment policy tradeoffs

A model is presented for developing the state probability distribution of aggregate space requirements in a randomized storage system as a function of the level of variation in item retrieval activity. This model provides a tool to analyse tradeoffs in space requirements and retrieval efficiency associated with dedicated and randomized storage policies. The technique extends previous work by accounting for space reductions associated with randomized storage in estimating average item retrieval costs. A sample problem is presented along with an analysis of randomized and dedicated storage policy performance.