Abstract: Inter-related devices and methods to increase sort productivity, provide for the ready integration of shipment data into a central computer system, permit centralized management and control over multiple autonomous sort operations, and integrate materials handling of the sorted shipments into the sort process. The devices and methods provide the foundation for an integrated shipment and information processing system without the complexity of automated equipment or the limitations of manual operations. The semi-automated integrated sort system has an array of chutes that flow shipments into containers or bins. The entrance to each chute is blocked by a computer-controlled gate. Detectors are placed in the chutes to detect shipments and monitor container/bin status. The chute gates, sensors, and other sort-related apparatus are connected to a computer. Automated or semi-automated data entry equipment connected to the computer provides the necessary data input.