diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index fce9630..d15b48e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 # Logistica
+# WORK IN PROGRESS - PRE-ALPHA STATE
 
 Logistica is a item transport, distribution and storage mod.
 
diff --git a/api/api.lua b/api/api.lua
index debf5e8..f0c8bb1 100644
--- a/api/api.lua
+++ b/api/api.lua
@@ -3,4 +3,5 @@ local path = logistica.MODPATH.."/api"
 dofile(path.."/cables.lua")
 dofile(path.."/controller.lua")
 dofile(path.."/mass_storage.lua")
+dofile(path.."/supplier.lua")
 dofile(path.."/demander.lua")
diff --git a/api/controller.lua b/api/controller.lua
index 1e31030..2326450 100644
--- a/api/controller.lua
+++ b/api/controller.lua
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ logistica.register_controller("Simple Controller", {
   description = "Simple Controller",
   tiles = { "logistica_silver_cable.png" },
   groups = {
-    oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2,
+    oddly_breakable_by_hand = 1,
   },
   sounds = default.node_sound_metal_defaults(),
   paramtype = "light",
diff --git a/api/mass_storage.lua b/api/mass_storage.lua
index 3e29992..fed98b2 100644
--- a/api/mass_storage.lua
+++ b/api/mass_storage.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 
+local META_SERIALIZED_INV = "logistica:ser_inv"
+local META_ITEM_NAME = "logistica:item_name"
+
 local function get_mass_storage_upgrade_inv(posForm, numUpgradeSlots)
   if numUpgradeSlots <= 0 then return "" end
   local upIconX = 1.5 + 1.25 * (7 - numUpgradeSlots) -- sort of hardcoded
@@ -34,9 +37,11 @@ end
 
 -- callbacks
 
-local function after_place_mass_storage(pos, placer, numSlots, numUpgradeSlots)
+local function after_place_mass_storage(pos, placer, itemstack, numSlots, numUpgradeSlots)
 	local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
-	meta:set_string("owner", placer:get_player_name())
+  if placer and placer:is_player() then
+	  meta:set_string("owner", placer:get_player_name())
+  end
 	local inv = meta:get_inventory()
 	inv:set_size("main", 1)
 	inv:set_size("filter", numSlots)
@@ -44,12 +49,55 @@ local function after_place_mass_storage(pos, placer, numSlots, numUpgradeSlots)
 	inv:set_size("upgrade", numUpgradeSlots)
   -- and connect to network
   logistica.on_storage_change(pos)
+  -- restore inventory, if any
+  local itemstackMetaInv = itemstack:get_meta():get_string(META_SERIALIZED_INV)
+  if itemstackMetaInv then
+    local listsTable = logistica.deserialize_inv(itemstackMetaInv)
+    for name, listTable in pairs(listsTable) do
+      inv:set_list(name, listTable)
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+local function on_mass_storage_preserve_metadata(pos, oldnode, oldmeta, drops)
+  local drop = drops[1]
+  local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
+  if not drop or not meta then return end
+  local inv = meta:get_inventory()
+  local serialized = logistica.serialize_inv(inv)
+  drop:get_meta():set_string(META_SERIALIZED_INV, serialized)
+  -- update description
+  local name = minetest.registered_nodes[oldnode.name].logistica.baseName
+  if inv:is_empty("storage") then
+    name = name.."\n(Empty)"
+  else
+    name = name.."\n(Contains items)" -- TODO set a node name or use a stackname
+  end
+  drop:get_meta():set_string("description", name)
+end
+
+local function allow_mass_storage_inv_take(pos, listname, index, stack, player)
+  if minetest.is_protected(pos, player) then return 0 end
+  if listname == "storage" then
+    return logistica.clamp(stack:get_count(), 0, stack:get_stack_max())
+  end
+  if listname == "main" then return stack:get_count() end
+  if listname == "filter" then
+			local inv = minetest.get_meta(pos):get_inventory()
+      if not inv:get_stack("storage", index):is_empty() then return 0 end
+			local storageStack = inv:get_stack("filter", index)
+			storageStack:clear()
+			inv:set_stack("filter", index, storageStack)
+      logistica.updateStorageCacheFromPosition(pos)
+      return 0
+  end
+  return stack:get_count()
 end
 
 local function allow_mass_storage_inv_move(pos, from_list, from_index, to_list, to_index, count, player)
   if minetest.is_protected(pos, player) then return 0 end
   if from_list == "main" and to_list == "main" then return count end
-  if from_list == "filter" and to_list == "filter" then return count end
+  if from_list == "upgrade" and to_list == "upgrade" then return count end
   return 0
 end
 
@@ -65,27 +113,12 @@ local function allow_mass_storage_inv_put(pos, listname, index, stack, player)
     copyStack:set_count(1)
     local inv = minetest.get_meta(pos):get_inventory()
     inv:set_stack("filter", index, copyStack)
+    logistica.updateStorageCacheFromPosition(pos)
     return 0
   end
   return stack:get_count()
 end
 
-local function allow_mass_storage_inv_take(pos, listname, index, stack, player)
-  if minetest.is_protected(pos, player) then return 0 end
-  if listname == "storage" then
-    return logistica.clamp(stack:get_count(), 0, stack:get_stack_max())
-  end
-  if listname == "main" then return stack:get_count() end
-  if listname == "filter" then
-			local inv = minetest.get_meta(pos):get_inventory()
-      if not inv:get_stack("storage", index):is_empty() then return 0 end
-			local stack = inv:get_stack("filter", index)
-			stack:clear()
-			inv:set_stack("filter", index, stack)
-      return 0
-  end
-  return stack:get_count()
-end
 
 local function on_mass_storage_inv_move(pos, from_list, from_index, to_list, to_index, count, player)
   if minetest.is_protected(pos, player) then return 0 end
@@ -123,12 +156,6 @@ local function on_mass_storage_right_click(pos, node, clicker, itemstack, pointe
   )
 end
 
-local function on_mass_storage_preserve_metadata(pos, oldnode, oldmeta, drops)
-  local drop = drops[1]
-  if not drop then return end
-  
-end
-
 ----------------------------------------------------------------
 -- Public Registration API
 ----------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -136,21 +163,23 @@ end
 function logistica.register_mass_storage(simpleName, numSlots, numItemsPerSlot, numUpgradeSlots)
   local lname = string.lower(string.gsub(simpleName, " ", "_"))
   local storageName = "logistica:mass_storage_"..lname
-  local grps = {cracky = 3, choppy = 3, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 2}
+  local grps = {cracky = 1, choppy = 1, oddly_breakable_by_hand = 1}
   numUpgradeSlots = logistica.clamp(numUpgradeSlots, 0, 4)
   grps[logistica.TIER_ALL] = 1
   logistica.mass_storage[storageName] = true
 
   local def = {
-    description = simpleName.." Mass Storage",
+    description = simpleName.." Mass Storage\n(Empty)",
     tiles = { "logistica_"..lname.."_mass_storage.png" },
     groups = grps,
+    sounds = default.node_sound_metal_defaults(),
     after_place_node = function(pos, placer, itemstack)
-      after_place_mass_storage(pos, placer, numSlots, numUpgradeSlots)
+      after_place_mass_storage(pos, placer, itemstack, numSlots, numUpgradeSlots)
     end,
     after_destruct = logistica.on_storage_change,
     drop = storageName,
     logistica = {
+      baseName = simpleName.." Mass Storage",
       maxItems = numItemsPerSlot,
       numSlots = numSlots,
       numUpgradeSlots = numUpgradeSlots,
diff --git a/api/supplier.lua b/api/supplier.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/logic/demander.lua b/logic/demander.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5dee749
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logic/demander.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+
+-- Returns a list of ItemStacks from the demandList that are missing in the storageList
+function logistica.get_demand_based_on_list(demandList, storageList)
+  local missing = {}
+  local storageSize = #storageList
+  for _, demanded in ipairs(demandList) do
+    local remaining = demanded:get_count()
+    local i = 1
+    local checkNext = true
+    while checkNext and i <= storageSize do
+      local stored = storageList[i]
+      if demanded:get_name() == stored:get_name() then
+        remaining = remaining - stored:get_count()
+      end
+      if remaining <= 0 then checkNext = false end
+    end
+    if remaining > 0 then
+      local missingStack = ItemStack(demanded)
+      missingStack:set_count(remaining)
+      table.insert(missing, missingStack)
+    end
+  end
+  return missing
+end
diff --git a/logic/groups.lua b/logic/groups.lua
index 6845ec5..8583943 100644
--- a/logic/groups.lua
+++ b/logic/groups.lua
@@ -73,4 +73,4 @@ function logistica.do_tiers_match(tiers1, tiers2)
     end
   end
   return false
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/logic/logic.lua b/logic/logic.lua
index 773630d..7fc4207 100644
--- a/logic/logic.lua
+++ b/logic/logic.lua
@@ -5,3 +5,5 @@ dofile(path .. "/push_pull.lua")
 dofile(path .. "/network_logic.lua")
 dofile(path .. "/controller.lua")
 dofile(path .. "/storage.lua")
+dofile(path .. "/supplier.lua")
+dofile(path .. "/demander.lua")
diff --git a/logic/network_logic.lua b/logic/network_logic.lua
index 8760e10..ca23a2d 100644
--- a/logic/network_logic.lua
+++ b/logic/network_logic.lua
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ local CREATE_NETWORK_STATUS_FAIL_OTHER_NETWORK = -1
 local CREATE_NETWORK_STATUS_TOO_MANY_NODES = -2
 local ADD_STORAGE_MULTIPLE_NETWORKS = -1
 
+logistica.networks = networks
+
+local p2h = minetest.hash_node_position
+local h2p = minetest.get_position_from_hash
+
 local adjecent = {
   vector.new( 1,  0,  0),
   vector.new( 0,  1,  0),
@@ -13,6 +18,7 @@ local adjecent = {
   vector.new( 0, -1,  0),
   vector.new( 0,  0, -1),
 }
+
 local function has_machine(network, id)
   if not network then return false end
   if network.demanders and network.demanders[id] then
@@ -27,7 +33,7 @@ local function has_machine(network, id)
 end
 
 function logistica.get_network_name_or_nil(pos)
-  local hash = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
+  local hash = p2h(pos)
   for nHash, network in pairs(networks) do
     if hash == nHash then return network.name end
     if network.cables[hash] then return network.name end
@@ -37,7 +43,7 @@ function logistica.get_network_name_or_nil(pos)
 end
 
 function logistica.get_network_or_nil(pos)
-  local hash = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
+  local hash = p2h(pos)
   for nHash, network in pairs(networks) do
     if hash == nHash then return network end
     if network.cables[hash] then return network end
@@ -59,7 +65,7 @@ end
 local function dumb_remove_from_network(networkName, pos)
   local network = networks[networkName]
   if not network then return false end
-  local hashedPos = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
+  local hashedPos = p2h(pos)
   if network.cables[hashedPos] then
     network.cables[hashedPos] = nil
     return true
@@ -94,6 +100,14 @@ local function break_logistica_node(pos)
   logistica.swap_node(pos, node.name .. "_disabled")
 end
 
+-- calls updateStorageCache(network) if the current position belongs to a network
+function logistica.updateStorageCacheFromPosition(pos)
+  local network = logistica.get_network_or_nil(pos)
+  if network then
+    logistica.updateStorageCache(network)
+  end
+end
+
 --[[ updates the storage cach which holds where items may be found
   The cache is in the followiing format:
   network.storage_cache = {
@@ -108,11 +122,10 @@ function logistica.updateStorageCache(network)
   -- for now, do full rescan
   network.storage_cache = {}
   for storageHash, _ in pairs(network.mass_storage) do
-    local storagePos = minetest.get_position_from_hash(storageHash)
+    local storagePos = h2p(storageHash)
     logistica.load_position(storagePos)
-    local meta = minetest.get_meta(storagePos)
-    local inv = meta:get_inventory():get_list("filter")
-    for _, itemStack in pairs(inv) do
+    local filterList = minetest.get_meta(storagePos):get_inventory():get_list("filter") or {}
+    for _, itemStack in pairs(filterList) do
       local name = itemStack:get_name()
       if not network.storage_cache[name] then network.storage_cache[name] = {} end
       network.storage_cache[name][storageHash] = true
@@ -124,7 +137,7 @@ local function dumb_add_storage_to_network(networkId, pos)
   local network = networks[networkId]
   if not network then return false end
   local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
-  local hashedPos = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
+  local hashedPos = p2h(pos)
   if logistica.is_mass_storage(node.name) then
     network.mass_storage[hashedPos] = true
     return true
@@ -139,7 +152,7 @@ local function dumb_add_cable_to_network(networkName, pos)
   local network = networks[networkName]
   if not network then return false end
   local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
-  local hashedPos = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
+  local hashedPos = p2h(pos)
   if logistica.is_cable(node.name) then
     network.cables[hashedPos] = true
     return true
@@ -165,7 +178,7 @@ local function recursive_scan_for_nodes_for_controller(network, positions, numSc
     for _, offset in pairs(adjecent) do
       local otherPos = vector.add(pos, offset)
       logistica.load_position(otherPos)
-      local otherHash = minetest.hash_node_position(otherPos)
+      local otherHash = p2h(otherPos)
       local tiersMatch = isAllTier
       if tiersMatch ~= true then
         local otherTiers = logistica.get_item_tiers(minetest.get_node(otherPos).name)
@@ -203,7 +216,7 @@ local function create_network(controllerPosition)
   local node = minetest.get_node(controllerPosition)
   if not node.name:find("_controller") or not node.name:find("logistica:") then return false end
   local meta = minetest.get_meta(controllerPosition)
-  local controllerHash = minetest.hash_node_position(controllerPosition)
+  local controllerHash = p2h(controllerPosition)
   local network = {}
   local networkName = logistica.get_network_name_for(controllerPosition)
   networks[controllerHash] = network
@@ -242,7 +255,7 @@ local function rescan_network(networkName)
   if not network then return false end
   if not network.controller then return false end
   local conHash = network.controller
-  local controllerPosition = minetest.get_position_from_hash(conHash)
+  local controllerPosition = h2p(conHash)
   clear_network(networkName)
   create_network(controllerPosition)
 end
@@ -301,7 +314,7 @@ local function try_to_add_mass_storage_to_network(pos)
 end
 
 local function remove_mass_storage_from_network(pos)
-  local hash = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
+  local hash = p2h(pos)
   local network = logistica.get_network_or_nil(pos)
   if not network then return end
   if not network.mass_storage[hash] then return end
@@ -361,7 +374,7 @@ function logistica.on_cable_change(pos, oldNode)
 end
 
 function logistica.on_controller_change(pos, oldNode)
-  local hashPos = minetest.hash_node_position(pos)
+  local hashPos = p2h(pos)
   local placed = (oldNode == nil) -- if oldNode is nil, we placed a new one
   if placed == true then
     try_to_add_network(pos)
@@ -377,4 +390,4 @@ function logistica.on_storage_change(pos, oldNode)
   else
     remove_mass_storage_from_network(pos)
   end
-end
\ No newline at end of file
+end
diff --git a/logic/processing_queue.lua b/logic/processing_queue.lua
index 91a5c59..b36dabc 100644
--- a/logic/processing_queue.lua
+++ b/logic/processing_queue.lua
@@ -55,4 +55,3 @@ function logistica.proq.get_all(pos)
     end
   return positions
 end
-
diff --git a/logic/storage.lua b/logic/storage.lua
index 934892c..2b360cc 100644
--- a/logic/storage.lua
+++ b/logic/storage.lua
@@ -66,24 +66,43 @@ function logistica.try_to_add_item_to_storage(pos, inputStack, dryRun)
 end
 
 -- takes a list of ItemStacks and returns a single string representation
-function logistica.inv_to_table(list)
-  local itemStackStrings = {}
-  for _,v in pairs(list) do
-    itemStackStrings:insert(v:to_string())
+function logistica.inv_list_to_table(list)
+  local itemstackTable = {}
+  for k,v in ipairs(list) do
+    itemstackTable[k] = v and v:to_string() or ""
   end
+  return itemstackTable
 end
 
-function logistica.table_to_inv(string)
-
+function logistica.table_to_inv_list(table)
+  local list = {}
+  for k,v in ipairs(table) do
+    if v == nil or v == "" then
+      list[k] = ""
+    else
+      list[k] = ItemStack(v)
+    end
+  end
+  return list
 end
 
-local LIST_SEPARATOR = "L|L"
--- takes a inventory and returns a single string represetation
-function logistica.serliaze_inventory(list)
-  
+-- returns a serialized string of the inventory
+function logistica.serialize_inv(inv)
+  local lists = inv:get_lists()
+  local invTable = {}
+  for name, list in pairs(lists) do
+    invTable[name] = logistica.inv_list_to_table(list)
+  end
+  return minetest.serialize(invTable)
 end
 
--- takes a inventory and returns a single string represetation
-function logistica.deserliaze_inventory(list)
-  
+-- takes a inventory serialized string and returns a table
+function logistica.deserialize_inv(serializedInv)
+  local strTable = minetest.deserialize(serializedInv)
+  if not strTable then return {} end
+  local liveTable = {}
+  for name, listStrTable in pairs(strTable) do
+    liveTable[name] = logistica.table_to_inv_list(listStrTable)
+  end
+  return liveTable
 end
diff --git a/logic/supplier.lua b/logic/supplier.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d05a6d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/logic/supplier.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+
+local p2h = minetest.hash_node_position
+local h2p = minetest.get_position_from_hash
+
+-- attempts to insert the given itemstack in the network, returns how many items were inserted
+function logistica.insert_item_in_network(itemstack, networkId)
+  local network = logistica.networks[networkId]
+  if not itemstack or not network then return 0 end
+
+  local workingStack = ItemStack(itemstack)
+  -- check demanders first
+  for hash, _ in pairs(network.demanders) do
+    local pos = h2p(hash)
+    logistica.load_position(pos)
+    local taken = 0 -- logistica.try_to_give_item_to_demander(pos, workingStack)
+    local leftover = workingStack:get_count() - taken
+    if leftover <= 0 then return itemstack:get_count() end -- we took all items
+    workingStack:set_count(leftover)
+  end
+
+  -- check storages
+  local storages = {}
+  if itemstack:get_stack_max() <= 1 then
+    storages = network.item_storage
+  else
+    storages = network.mass_storage
+  end
+  for hash, _ in pairs(storages) do
+    local pos = h2p(hash)
+    logistica.load_position(pos)
+    local taken = logistica.try_to_add_item_to_storage(pos, workingStack)
+    local leftover = workingStack:get_count() - taken
+    if leftover <= 0 then return itemstack:get_count() end -- we took all items
+    workingStack:set_count(leftover)
+  end
+
+  return itemstack:get_count() - workingStack:get_count()
+end
diff --git a/textures/logistica_formspec_background.png b/textures/logistica_formspec_background.png
index 3c339f6..c7a31a3 100644
Binary files a/textures/logistica_formspec_background.png and b/textures/logistica_formspec_background.png differ
diff --git a/util/ui.lua b/util/ui.lua
index 2f8ff8f..9c763be 100644
--- a/util/ui.lua
+++ b/util/ui.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 logistica.ui = {}
 
-logistica.ui.background = "bgcolor[#0000]background9[0,0;1,1;logistica_formspec_background.png;true;4]"
\ No newline at end of file
+logistica.ui.background = "no_prepend[]bgcolor[#0000]background9[0,0;1,1;logistica_formspec_background.png;true;8]"
\ No newline at end of file