An apparatus for receiving articles to be processed, for storing the articles, and subsequently reissuing processed articles to appropriate customers in response to customer-supplied information includes a plurality of first and second article carriers for receiving articles to be processed and for carrying processed articles, respectively. First and second article carrier storage areas are provided for the first and second article carriers, respectively. First and second identification members are used to uniquely identify each separate one of the plurality of first article carriers and to uniquely identify each separate article carrier storage location, respectively. A transport mechanism is provided for selectively transporting a first article carrier from the first storage area to an article reception location for loading by a customer, and for selectively transporting a second article carrier from the second storage area to an article reissue location for retrieval of the article by the customer after processing. A control system, responsive to customer-supplied information, selectively activates the transport mechanism for automated handling of the articles. The control system includes input mechanisms for receiving data corresponding to the first and second identification members and customer-supplied information. The control system creates first and second temporary data relationships between the customer-supplied information and a particular unique first identification member in the first instance, and subsequently creates a second temporary data relationship between the customer-supplied information and a particular second identification member defining a specific location within the second storage area.