There should only be one SKU in each row, and the effective utilization of the pallet positions is about 70 per cent. The racking structure supports the weight of the pallets, so this system is suitable for high-inventory SKUs, where strict FIFO movement is not required, but where the goods are not strong enough or of regular enough shape to carry superimposed loads.

Since pallets are supported by the structure, the height of the installation is not limited by pallet strength or stability. This system consists of vertical support frames, tied at the top, with cantilever pallet support beams at different heights.

Fork trucks enter the racking between the vertical supports to access the pallets sitting on the cantilever beams. If access is all from one end the racking is called 'drive-in', and if pallets are fed in at one end and removed at the other the term 'drive-through' is used. The latter requires careful attention to the management of the operations. Access for the fork trucks within the racking is tight because the cantilever supports have to be narrower than the width of the pallets, and pallets have to be moved in and out of the racking in a raised position.

This tends to limit the speed of movement of pallets into and out of the racking, and driver strain can be a factor. Since pallets are only supported along each side, pallet condition is important  and due to the narrow truck access the floor and the racking have to be built to tight tolerances to minimize the risk of the trucks colliding with the racking. The suggested maximum height is 10 to 11 metres, with the front-to-back row depth of six pallets in from the fork truck access aisle, or 12 deep if back to back