If your Vertical Lift Module goes down unexpectedly, the problem is rarely limited to the machine itself.

Production may slow. Employees may lose access to critical inventory. Managers begin looking for answers. Multiple people start calling or emailing different contacts, and communication can quickly become confusing.

At Bradford Systems Corporation (BSC), we believe the best time to build your service strategy is before your equipment goes down.

A Vertical Lift Module, or VLM, is an automated storage system that stores trays vertically and delivers inventory directly to an operator. Modula VLMs can reduce picking time by up to 90% and improve inventory accuracy to more than 99%, making them an important part of many warehouse and manufacturing operations. When that equipment becomes critical to your workflow, the way you maintain and support it becomes just as important as the technology itself.

Our goal is simple: help customers move from a reactive service model to a more proactive one.

Know the Condition of Your VLM Equipment

Preventive maintenance should give you more than a completed checklist.

A strong preventive maintenance program gives both your team and your service provider a clearer understanding of the condition and history of your equipment.

• Are the same components creating repeated issues?
• Are certain machines operating more heavily than others?
• Are there wear items that should be addressed before they fail?
• Should preventive maintenance frequency change based on machine usage?
• Are there spare parts that should be kept onsite?

 

The more history we have, the easier it becomes to recognize patterns and make informed recommendations.

Preventive maintenance should also reflect how you actually use your equipment. A VLM operating continuously in a high-throughput manufacturing environment may have very different service needs than a machine that only runs periodically.

Sometimes a Small Part Can Create a Big Problem

Not every machine outage is caused by a major component failure.

Door sensors and switches are a good example. These components can be relatively inexpensive, but a failed sensor can still stop a machine from operating.

If the replacement part is not readily available, a relatively simple problem can turn into extended downtime while everyone waits for a part to arrive.

That is why spare-parts planning should be part of the service conversation.

Working with your service provider to identify common wear items and critical spare parts can help your team prepare for predictable failures rather than reacting after they happen.

Telephone Support Is the First Line of Defense

When a VLM has an issue, sending a technician across the country should not always be the first step.

Reliable telephone support gives your team access to technical expertise immediately. A technician can collect information about the machine, review error messages, understand what happened leading up to the problem, and begin diagnosing the issue remotely.

Sometimes the problem can be resolved over the phone.

When it cannot, remote troubleshooting still provides valuable information before an onsite technician is dispatched. The technician can arrive with a better understanding of the issue, the machine involved, and potentially the parts or tools that may be required.

That saves time for everyone involved.

At BSC, we view telephone support as the first line of defense in a broader service strategy.

What Should You Expect From a Strong Vertical Lift Module Service Partner?

BSC is an official authorized dealer and service provider for Modula Vertical Lift Modules. Your service partner should provide more than emergency repairs.

For operations managers, facility managers, and warehouse supervisors, reliable equipment support means having confidence that there is a plan in place when something goes wrong.

We believe that plan should include:

• Preventive maintenance scheduled around equipment usage
• Reliable telephone support from technical experts
• Clear service history and equipment documentation
• Planning for common and critical spare parts
• Responsive onsite service when remote troubleshooting is not enough
• Access to qualified technicians and certified service partners across multiple locations

 

The goal is not simply to respond quickly after a machine breaks.

The better goal is to reduce how often you reach that point in the first place.

More Proactive, Less Reactive

No service program will eliminate every unexpected equipment issue.

But better planning can make those issues easier to prevent, diagnose, and resolve.

When preventive maintenance, spare-parts planning, technical support, service history, and onsite response all work together, your team has greater visibility into the health of your equipment and a clearer path when problems occur.

At Bradford Systems Corporation, that is how we continue to approach Modula VLM service: more proactive, less reactive.