Abstract: A method for demand-controlled supply to and disposal away from production stations. Self-propelled transport vehicles are moved on a rail within an overhead storage and transport system. A transport unit is requested by a transfer unit which forms a linking member between the storage and transport system and an associated production station. A transport task is assigned by a material flow control to a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle is moved in the transport plane on the rail from a start position to the transfer unit of a production station initiating the transport task. The transport unit is transferred to the transfer unit. The full or empty transport unit is lowered by a lift into a transfer plane located below a transport plane. The transport vehicle is released for the next transport task after the transfer of the full or empty transport unit to the transfer unit.