Growing inventory can quickly consume usable floor space in warehouses and manufacturing facilities. Automated vertical storage can help by moving inventory upward and bringing stored items directly to the person who needs them.

That’s why our partners at Modula offer several VLM systems designed for different inventory, space, access, and picking requirements. Understanding those differences can help facility managers and operations teams narrow the options before planning a VLM system for their site. Bradford Systems is here to guide industrial facilities in finding the best Modula Vertical Lift Module for their unique operational needs.

What Is a Modula Vertical Lift Module?

A vertical lift module, or VLM, is an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) that stores inventory vertically inside an enclosed unit. Trays or bins remain inside the machine until an operator requests an item. The system then delivers the appropriate tray or bin to an access point at a comfortable working height.

This goods-to-person approach brings stored items directly to the operator, reducing the amount of walking required to retrieve parts or products. It can also free up floor space by using building height that conventional shelving often leaves unused. Modula states that its VLMs can recover up to 90% of floor space compared with traditional storage methods, depending on the application and existing setup.

Height-detection technology measures stored items as trays are put away and adjusts tray placement in real time, helping make more efficient use of available storage space. Facilities may use VLMs for spare parts, tools, production materials, electronics, high-value inventory, and other frequently accessed items.

Bradford Systems provides automated storage systems for facilities looking to improve storage density and inventory access.

Types of Modula VLM Systems

Choosing the right Modula VLM starts with the inventory you need to store and the way your operation handles it. Item size and weight, picking volume, available floor space, access requirements, and existing workflows can all affect the choice. Bradford Systems offers Modula vertical lift modules for warehouse and industrial applications of all kinds.

Modula Lift

Modula Lift is the general-purpose option in the lineup. It stores inventory on trays and can accommodate a broad mix of small parts, tools, components, maintenance items, and other industrial materials.

That flexibility suits operations that need to consolidate conventional shelving while keeping varied inventory accessible. Different tray sizes and access-point configurations allow the unit to be planned around the available space and picking process. Depending on the configuration, Modula Lift trays can support payloads up to 2,200 pounds.

Modula Flexibox

Modula Flexibox is designed for fast picking of smaller items stored in bins. Rather than delivering an entire large tray for every request, the system is built around high-throughput bin handling.

Flexibox can process up to 180 bins per hour, which helps explain its fit for operations handling large volumes of smaller items. Modula identifies e-commerce, retail distribution, automotive, and large-scale distribution among its target applications.

Operations comparing Flexibox with Lift should look closely at the types of items they store and their picking volume. A warehouse processing many small-item orders may have different needs than one retrieving larger parts less frequently.

Modula Pallet

Pallets can consume substantial warehouse floor space, particularly when inventory still needs frequent access.

Modula Pallet stores pallets vertically while keeping handling at ground level. It can store pallets and bulk goods while supporting individual-item picking from stored pallets, depending on the configuration. Ground-level handling can be useful when pallets move frequently between receiving, production, and shipping areas and reducing unnecessary forklift travel is a priority.

Modula Pallet fits operations where pallet inventory takes up substantial ground-level space but still requires frequent access.

Modula Slim

Not every facility has room for a full-size VLM. Modula Slim is designed for locations where the available footprint is especially restricted.

Its narrower depth allows businesses to introduce automated vertical storage where a larger unit may be difficult to accommodate. Slim can work well in smaller warehouses, parts departments, production areas, or facilities where storage must fit around equipment and established workspaces.

Before choosing Slim primarily for its size, facilities should confirm that its capacity and item-handling capabilities meet their operational requirements.

Modula Next

Modula Next focuses on controlled access. Instead of exposing an entire tray when inventory is delivered, the system can limit access to the specific compartment containing the requested item.

Compartment-level control can be useful for high-value parts, sensitive inventory, tools, or materials that should only be available to authorized employees. It can also support operations where accurate picking and tighter inventory accountability are priorities.

Facilities considering Next should think about who needs access to inventory, how items are issued, and whether restricting access at the compartment level would improve their current process.

Specialized Modula VLM Configurations

Modula also offers configurations for inventory that requires controlled environmental conditions. Climate Control systems are designed for materials affected by temperature or humidity changes, while Clean Room models are intended for operations where contamination control is important.

These configurations may be relevant in health care, pharmaceuticals, electronics, food production, and other environments with specialized storage requirements.

How the Modula VLM Systems Compare

Each Modula VLM uses vertical space and automated retrieval, but the models are designed for different applications.

Modula Lift is a versatile tray-based VLM for a broad range of industrial inventory. Flexibox is geared toward fast bin-based picking of smaller items. Pallet addresses vertical pallet storage and ground-level handling. Slim brings VLM capabilities to tighter floor plans, while Next emphasizes controlled access to individual compartments.

Climate Control and Clean Room configurations address another consideration: whether stored materials require controlled temperature, humidity, or contamination levels.

Model selection should focus on operational fit rather than feature count. A system built for high-speed small-parts fulfillment may offer little advantage to an operation storing large maintenance components. Likewise, a compact footprint may be less important when throughput, controlled access, or environmental conditions are the bigger concern.

What to Consider When Choosing a Modula VLM

Inventory characteristics should drive the selection process. Review typical item dimensions, weights, quantities, and access frequency. A large collection of small, fast-moving products presents a different storage problem than heavy parts retrieved several times per week.

Available floor space and usable ceiling height will also narrow the options further. Existing columns, equipment, traffic patterns, and work areas may also affect where a VLM can be installed and how much vertical storage the facility can use.

Throughput, or how much inventory the system needs to process within a given period, also matters. Normal picking volume is useful, but peak periods may be a better measure of what the VLM must handle. Consider who will use it, how inventory reaches and leaves the access point, and whether certain items require controlled access.

Plan for restocking, too. Fast picking is less useful if refilling trays or bins creates congestion around the access area.

Software compatibility should be reviewed early. A VLM may need to connect with warehouse management, inventory management, or other business systems already in use. Addressing those requirements during planning can help keep the equipment and inventory workflow aligned. That’s why we partner with CodaBears on ERP integrations between the client’s ERP and Modula’s warehouse management software (WMS).

Integrating Modula VLMs With Warehouse Operations

Once a model is selected, the VLM still has to fit the facility’s existing workflow. It may need to work alongside receiving, restocking, production, packing, or shipping rather than function as an isolated storage unit.

Placement should support the way materials move through the building. In production, that may mean positioning the VLM near work areas that use its inventory most often. In fulfillment, the access point may need to connect smoothly with picking and packing stations.

Installation planning should also account for how the facility will keep operating during the transition. Equipment placement, access routes, implementation timing, and software setup can all affect how easily the VLM is introduced into an active warehouse or production environment.

This is where our expertise really shines! We know exactly what to look for and the best VLM to recommend for your organization. Bradford Systems will evaluate the available footprint, inventory characteristics, surrounding processes, and implementation needs when planning a Modula installation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Modula VLM Systems

Which Modula VLM Is Best for Small Parts and High-Throughput Picking?

Modula Flexibox is designed around fast, bin-based picking and is particularly suited to operations handling large volumes of smaller items. Modula Lift may be a better fit when inventory requires more flexible tray-based storage.

Which Modula VLM Works Best in a Tight Footprint?

Modula Slim is specifically designed for facilities with limited floor space. Its compact dimensions can make automated vertical storage possible where a larger VLM may not fit.

Can a Modula VLM Handle Pallets?

Yes. Modula Pallet is designed to store pallets vertically while supporting handling at ground level. It can also accommodate mixed storage and individual-item picking from pallets, depending on the configuration.

Can Modula VLMs Integrate With Warehouse Software?

Yes, Modula systems can work with warehouse and inventory management technology. The exact integration depends on the software already in use and the workflow the facility needs to support, so integration requirements should be addressed during project planning.

Choose the Right Modula VLM With Bradford Systems

Choosing among Modula VLM systems comes down to how your facility stores, moves, and accesses inventory. Floor space and ceiling height are important, but so are item dimensions, picking demand, access requirements, environmental conditions, and the way employees work around the storage area.

Bradford Systems industrial planning experts can evaluate those conditions and help determine which VLM and configuration will fit your operation. From planning and design through installation, our team is here to help your business use vertical space more effectively! How? By building automated storage around your inventory and workflow. Contact us today to discuss your warehouse and storage goals!