Discrete processing type BHS resembles highway system where baggage corresponds to automobiles. There are some advantages to the discrete processing system. Because baggage enters the system freely, and without wait, only a minimal buffer is needed at the input. Because baggage enters independently, baggage does not have to be scheduled, i.e., the system is flexible. There are few disadvantages, also.
Items enter independently, and have independent destinations.
Each item must be sorted to the correct destination by the sorter. The sorter becomes the choke point. Items cannot travel faster than the processing speed of the sorter. Only identified baggage can be sorted. System wide tracking is one way to identify items entering the sorter.