  A precise quantitative spectral analysis - encompassing atmospheric parameter
and chemical elemental abundance determination - is time consuming due to its
iterative nature and the multi-parameter space to be explored, especially when
done "by eye". A robust automated fitting technique that is as trustworthy as
traditional methods would allow for large samples of stars to be analyzed in a
consistent manner in reasonable time. We present a semi-automated quantitative
spectral analysis technique for early-type stars based on the concept of
$\chi^2$ minimization. The method's main features are: far less subjective than
typical "by eye" methods, correction for inaccurate continuum normalization,
consideration of the whole useful spectral range, simultaneous sampling of the
entire multi-parameter space (effective temperature, surface gravity,
microturbulence, macroturbulence, projected rotational velocity, radial
velocity, elemental abundances) to find the global best solution, applicable
also to composite spectra. The method is fast, robust and reliable as seen from
formal tests and from a comparison with previous analyses. Consistent
quantitative spectral analyses of large samples of early-type stars can be
performed quickly with very high accuracy.
