Automated Storage Systems That Save Space and Time

Automated storage systems from Southwest Solutions Group help you reclaim valuable floor space, speed up retrieval, and tighten inventory control across your facility. From vertical lift modules and carousels to industrial vending and specialty systems, we design solutions around your materials, workflows, and regulatory needs. Use this page to compare options, see how automated storage fits into your operation, and download Revit files for your design team. When you’re ready, request a consultation to talk through layouts, integration, and budget with an SSG specialist. Our team supports planning, installation, and long-term service so your automated storage keeps delivering year after year.

Vertical Lift Modules (VLM)

Vertical Carousels (VSR)

Sterile Storage Carousel

Specialty Carousels

Industrial Vending Machines

Vertical Carousel Filing

Horizontal Carousels

Kardex Remstar automated storage and retrieval system operating in a busy warehouse with conveyor integration for rapid item handling

Vertical Lift Modules (VLM): Space-Efficient Storage at the Push of a Button

Vertical lift modules (VLMs) use an enclosed tower of trays and an internal extractor to deliver parts to an access window — automatically. Designed for high-density storage in a small footprint, VLMs eliminate unproductive walking, reaching, and searching.

Unlike traditional construction, modular buildings install with minimal downtime and can be expanded, relocated, or reconfigured as your facility grows. Choose from single-story or two-story in-plant offices with HVAC, sound insulation, and electrical integration built in.They’re ideal for small parts, medical supplies, maintenance items, or high-security inventory in tight spaces.

Fully enclosed storage with built-in extractor
Delivers trays directly to user-level access point
Configurable tray spacing, weight, and security
Saves floor space and reduces pick times

Vertical Carousels (VSR): High-Speed Access to Small Parts and Files

Vertical carousels rotate trays around a central track to bring items to the operator. They’re perfect for storing small parts, medical inventory, office supplies, or high-use files in a compact vertical footprint.

Units can be installed between floors or in high-ceiling areas to take full advantage of vertical space while keeping access fast and ergonomic.

Trays rotate vertically around a fixed track
Delivers items directly to waist-level opening
Designed for parts, files, supplies, or meds
Optional locking, climate, and software features

Hospital staff retrieving surgical kits from a Kardex vertical carousel, demonstrating sterile supply storage and automated access in healthcare

Operator working with a computer terminal at a warehouse station with multiple horizontal carousels storing high-volume packaged goods in labeled bins

Horizontal Carousels: Fast, Automated Picking for High-Throughput Zones

Horizontal carousels rotate bins or shelving pods along a horizontal track to bring stored items to the operator. They’re ideal for order fulfillment, kitting, and picking stations where speed and accuracy are critical.

Often used in pods with pick-to-light software, horizontal carousels help reduce walking time and improve pick rates in fast-moving environments.

Bins or shelves rotate horizontally to operator
Great for order picking, kitting, or staging
Often paired with pick-to-light and batch software
Boosts throughput in small-footprint spaces

Industrial Vending Machines: Trackable Supply Access, 24/7

Industrial vending machines dispense tools, PPE, and consumables on demand while tracking usage by employee, job, or department. These systems reduce overuse, control shrinkage, and maintain availability of critical items — without requiring a full-time attendant.

Used in MRO rooms, production floors, and maintenance areas, vending units provide both access and accountability.

Dispenses items via badge or PIN access
Tracks usage by user, shift, or cost center
Helps reduce loss and control inventory levels
Works with tools, , weapons, gloves, batteries, and more

Curved configuration of vending machines with transparent locker windows storing industrial supplies in a tool crib area

Woman standing in front of a Kardex Remstar vertical filing machine while retrieving a black lever binder from an automated carousel system

Vertical Carousel Filing Machines (Lektriever): Ergonomic File Access

Lektriever systems store paper files, folders, binders, or media in a vertical carousel that brings items to waist-level. These automated filing machines are ADA-compliant and eliminate the need to reach or stoop for stored records.

Perfect for law firms, public agencies, or administrative offices still handling large volumes of physical documentation.

Rotating file shelves inside enclosed unit
Push-button or keypad operation
Designed for folders, binders, or media
ADA-compliant for seated users

Specialty Carousels: Tire, Garment & Spool Storage

These specialty carousels automate the storage and retrieval of bulky or awkward items like tires, garments, cables, and wire spools. Instead of stacking or wrapping these items manually, users can retrieve exactly what they need — quickly and safely.

Custom configurations support high-density storage while protecting valuable materials from damage or misplacement.

Motorized storage for tires, garments, or reels
Prevents tangling, nesting, or deformation
Improves access and reduces injury risk
Configurable for space, weight, and product type

Industrial carousel rack system for storing and accessing a variety of colored cable and hose wire spools vertically

Vertical lift module automated storage system integrated into a warehouse picking station — Use vertical automated storage to shrink your footprint without losing capacity.

Vertical lift modules and carousels maximize cubic storage capacity by using ceiling height instead of floor space. These automated storage systems are ideal for facilities with limited square footage, helping you store the same or greater inventory in a smaller footprint.

By consolidating inventory into secure, centralized towers, your automated storage layout becomes cleaner, safer, and more flexible — freeing up room for production, staging, or patient care.

Stores significantly more per square foot than static shelving
Uses vertical height to increase density without expanding your building
Reduces cluttered aisles and opens up valuable floor space
Works in warehouses, hospitals, and office buildings with high ceilings

Automated storage carousel with pick technology for high-speed order fulfillment — Deliver what you need, when you need it — with push-button automated retrieval.

Automated storage brings trays, bins, or files directly to the operator, eliminating the walking, climbing, and searching that slow traditional shelving. Whether you are picking medical supplies, MRO parts, or office records, items arrive at an ergonomic access opening with a single command.

By combining automated storage with batch-picking or pick-to-light software, you can dramatically reduce travel time and boost throughput while maintaining high accuracy.

Trays and bins travel automatically to user level for easy access
Speeds up pick times and overall fulfillment rates
Reduces operator fatigue and manual material handling
Helps minimize search errors, misplacement, and re-picks

Industrial tool vending solution with controlled automated access — Track what you store — and who accesses it — with connected automated storage.

Many automated storage systems integrate with software, badge readers, and audit logs to give you full visibility into your inventory. You can see what is stored, where it is, and which employee accessed it — ideal for controlled items, high-value tools, or regulated materials.

With configurable permissions and reporting, automated storage becomes a powerful tool for reducing shrinkage, supporting compliance, and improving accountability.

Optional inventory software with detailed usage and access logs
Badge or PIN access to restrict automated storage by user or role
Ideal for pharma, healthcare, defense, and toolroom environments
Supports audits, chain-of-custody tracking, and regulatory reporting

Tall automated storage vertical lift system for high-density parts storage — Configure trays, drawers, and carousels to match your mix of parts, files, and supplies.

Each automated storage system can be configured with trays, dividers, drawers, or bins sized to your exact materials — from tiny fasteners and vials to bulky kits or boxed files. As your operation evolves, you can re-slot interiors, adjust weight capacities, or add new units without redesigning the entire facility.

This modularity helps ensure your automated storage investment continues to perform as product lines, order profiles, or service requirements change over time.

Flexible tray, bin, and drawer layouts tailored to your inventory
Field-adjustable spacing and components for changing SKUs
Easy to add additional automated storage units as you grow
Integrates with WMS, ERP, or automation tools for future expansion

Gallery

Medical worker placing clean linens into a Kardex Megamat vertical carousel, showcasing automated linen storage in clinical environments

Automated vertical carousel with multi-level racks for storing costumes and clothing by color and category

Warehouse worker using an integrated touchscreen control panel to operate a horizontal carousel storage system for efficient space-saving inventory manage

Inventory control setup featuring vending lockers and blue drawer cabinets for tool storage and parts distribution

Worker operating a textile carousel with integrated cutting table for easy roll selection and fabric cutting

Warehouse operator retrieving items from a Kardex Remstar vertical carousel storage system using a touchscreen interface with red bin compartments

Woman seated at a vertical filing carousel workstation retrieving and reviewing color-coded office files in an ADA-accessible automated filing system

Compact Kardex Shuttle XP vertical lift module in small industrial space

Heavy-duty vertical tire storage carousel in a red frame, used in auto service or warehouse environments

Automated horizontal carousel picking system operating in a high-capacity fulfillment center with multiple picking bays and ergonomic workstation layout

Dual Kardex Lektriever vertical carousel filing systems in a clean records room, both with the access ports closed, ready for operation

Honest Results

“We are coming up on a year since we installed the file system here at Bill Heard Chevrolet, and we continue to be more than happy with the outcome. The barcode tracking software system tracks the documents for us and is easy to maintain and use. There is something to be said about keeping things simple.”

“We would like to extend a great big thank you to your shelving installation and file conversion team. Your team of installers are absolutely the best! They were quiet, polite and really acted as though they enjoyed their work. It was so refreshing to meet them. Everyone is very pleased with the installation and file conversion. Our file room looks great and the new file storage will give us the additional file space we need.”

“I deal with contractors and service people on a daily basis, and I have got to tell you that the crew that has been in here relocating the first two vertical storage machines for me are at the top of my list. They have been extremely professional and customer service oriented. You have some great employees and, if I were you, would value them highly. Guys like these are hard to find.”

“We are very happy with our filing system. We have more filing inches available in the vertical cabinets than we did in our old horizontal filing equipment. Everyone is very excited about the new system. The installation went very smoothly. Service has been exceptional from the first point of contact to planning to installation.”

Southwest Solutions Near You

With 7 offices in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado, plus teams covering every major metro area nationwide, Southwest Solutions Group delivers expert automated storage sales, design, installation, and maintenace support wherever you need it.

Automated Storage Service Areas

Texas

Offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston & San Antonio w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Austin
Dallas
El Paso
Fort Worth
Houston
San Antonio

Oklahoma

Office in Edmond w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Broken Arrow
Edmond
Lawton
Norman
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Kansas

Office in Lenexa w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Kansas City
Lawrence
Olathe
Overland Park
Topeka
Wichita

Colorado

Office in Englewood w/ sales, design, and installation coverage statewide

Aurora
Colorado Springs
Denver
Fort Collins
Lakewood
Boulder

Alaska