for use in connection with the present invention is available from control microsystems and includes the following components model rs 232 communication processor model 5501 20 8 channel analog input module model 5103 power supply module and model acx24 transformer suitable stand alone rtus include the bristol babcock models rtu 3301 and rtu 3305 and the fisher rosemount model roc 306 remote operations controller central computer 12 receives and stores data transmitted from rtus 16 at each storage vessel site central computer 12 includes commercially available software used to monitor inventory levels and generate statistical data and trend graphs based on the transmitted data two suitable software packages are the lookout run time and lookout development software other known software packages include bristol babcock 39 s zxmmi graphics software and intellution 39 s fix mmi graphics package advantageously the aforementioned system can be used by a transportation carrier to maintain sufficient quantities of raw materials at a remote manufacturing site for example a manufacturer who wishes to relieve itself from the day to day responsibility of monitoring recording and maintaining sufficient raw material stores can contract with a transportation carrier to provide this service in accordance with the invention the transportation carrier maintains a central computer for receiving and processing data from a manufacturing plant signals are generated to represent the quantity of material located in from one or more storage vessels 15 e g a plurality of dry bulk storage silos or similar containment structures located at a manufacturing plant the signals are automatically transmitted via rtu 16 to central computer 12 at predetermined time intervals software means generate statistical data in the form of tables and graphs based on the periodic signal inputs the data include material levels material usage rates and material usage rate changes and.