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The use of time series analysis to characterize the behaviour of machine centre queues of in-process inventory stored within an automated high-rise warehousing system is discussed. By treating queue behaviour as a first-order continuous process, a time constant value is obtained which indicates imbalance in the shop. This value provides a basis for interpretation and control by shop floor managers without direct observation of the queues of in-process materials. Actual time series data of in-process inventory are modelled and interpreted using this approach. Practical aspects of data sampling and parameter estimation are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]