Modula Flexibox or Modula Lift? Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Automated Storage System

Are you considering a smart warehouse solution and wondering how the Modula Flexibox compares to the Modula Lift? This article will explain the key differences and help you decide which vertical storage system best suits your needs.

04 Jun 2025
Admin
3 minutes read
Modula Flexibox or Modula Lift? Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Automated Storage System

Overview of Modula Flexibox Smart Warehouse

The Modula Flexibox is a state-of-the-art smart warehouse automation solution designed for high-speed order picking and vertical storage. Capable of processing up to 180 bins per hour, it’s engineered to handle hundreds of orders at once, making it the ideal choice for modern, high-volume warehouses..

The Flexibox optimizes storage space, accelerates order fulfillment, and enhances operational efficiency—all while ensuring ergonomics and operator safety. It’s the latest vertical storage solution from Modula, tailored to meet the demands of Industry 4.0.

Flexibox is Modula’s latest smart warehouse model

How the Modula Flexibox System Works 

  • The Modula Flexibox uses an automated picking system that identifies and retrieves bins containing the required products. 
  • These bins are transferred onto a service tray, then delivered to the picking bay where operators can quickly and easily pick items—often fulfilling multiple orders simultaneously.
  • While the operator is picking, the system preps the next tray (buffer tray) in parallel, ensuring continuous picking and eliminating downtime. 

Key Features and Advantages of the Modula Flexibox

Maximized Vertical Storage Efficiency

The Flexibox makes the most of available vertical space, storing items in bins stacked within a vertical storage system. This significantly reduces warehouse floor space usage compared to traditional racking or shelving systems.

The system is highly adaptable to various industries—from manufacturing and industrial automation to retail and e-commerce. 

Bin-Based Storage for Accurate Inventory Control

High-Speed Order Picking Efficiency

With processing speeds of up to 180 bins per hour, the Flexibox supports both batch picking and multi-order picking, enabling warehouses to handle multiple orders simultaneously and increasing throughput. 

Its seamless integration with the Modula Warehouse Management System (WMS) ensures efficient, real-time order management and optimized picking workflows. 

Continuous Workflow with Buffer Tray

While operators are picking from one tray, the system simultaneously prepares the next tray, minimizing wait times and ensuring uninterrupted operation. A dedicated buffer tray further increases order picking speed and productivity.

Smart Orders Preparation

The Flexibox features a Smart Orders Preparation mode that automatically processes orders from the Modula WMS, pre-staging trays for the next picking cycle. This automation saves time, reduces manual work, and keeps picking fast and efficient. 

When the operator arrives at the picking bay, everything is ready to go—eliminating delays and boosting productivity. 

Seamless Integration with Modula WMS 

Fully integrated with Modula’s Warehouse Management System, the Flexibox provides real-time inventory tracking, order management, and advanced picking optimization. 

This integration enables high-volume, multi-order processing with fast, accurate shipping.

Smart Warehouse Ecosystem with Modula WMS

Ergonomic Design and Operator Safety 

The Modula Flexibox is built with operator comfort and safety in mind. Its intuitive user interface and automated processes minimize manual handling, reducing the risk of injuries and promoting a safer, more ergonomic working environment. 

Modula Flexibox with Ergonimic Design

Comparing Modula Flexibox and Modula Lift: Which Smart Storage Solution Is Right for You?

Modula Flexibox and Modula Lift are both advanced automated storage solutions designed by Modula S.p.A. to streamline warehouse operations, maximize space utilization, and boost efficiency. However, each system has its own unique strengths and is suited for different operational needs. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you select the best solution for your facility. 

Key Similarities Between Modula Flexibox and Modula Lift

✅ Trusted Manufacturer

Both systems are designed and manufactured by Modula S.p.A., a leader with over 37 years of experience in developing cutting-edge automated storage solutions that help organizations optimize warehouse space and enhance productivity.

✅ Goods-to-Person Principle

Both Flexibox and Lift operate on the “goods-to-person” concept, bringing items directly to operators. This approach reduces travel time within the warehouse, improves picking speed, and minimizes errors. 

✅ Space Optimization

These systems take full advantage of vertical space, reducing the required warehouse footprint by up to 90% compared to traditional shelving. This is ideal for companies looking to maximize floor space for other operations.

✅ Seamless WMS Integration

Both solutions integrate with Modula’s Warehouse Management System (WMS), enabling accurate inventory management, order tracking, and smooth connectivity with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or DMS. 

✅ Increased Accuracy and Efficiency

By automating the picking process, both systems improve pick rates, reduce errors, and can boost labor productivity by up to 85% in certain use cases. 

✅ Scalability

Flexibox and Lift are designed to grow with your business. You can expand capacity by adding trays, increasing system height, or adding more units to meet evolving demands. 

✅ Advanced Automation Compatibility

Both solutions support integration with automated technologies, including robotics, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), and systems like put-to-light, enhancing picking speed and accuracy. 

✅ Operator Safety and Ergonomics

Both systems feature user-friendly interfaces, designed to minimize workplace accidents and improve working conditions for staff. 

✅ Industry Versatility

Flexibox and Lift are versatile enough to be used across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage. 

Key Differences Between Modula Flexibox and Modula Lift

Modula Flexibox 

Highlights

  • A new solution specifically designed for fast order fulfillment, making it ideal for high-volume industries like e-commerce where speed is critical.
  • Optimized for small parts stored in bins, with a processing capacity of up to 180 bins per hour—significantly higher than the Modula Lift’s 120 trays per hour.
  • “Smart Orders Preparation” mode that preloads bins automatically, supporting continuous or unattended operations. 
  • Prioritizes high automation, minimizing waiting times and enhancing batch or multi-order picking efficiency. 

Limitations

  • Lower weight capacity per bin (max. 35 kg per bin) and limited to bin sizes (600 x 400 mm), making it less suitable for heavy or bulky items. 
  • Less flexible configuration compared to the Modula Lift, focusing on speed and automation rather than accommodating a wide variety of product types. 

Modula Lift 

Highlights

  • The flagship solution from Modula, trusted by over 15,000 installations worldwide over 37+ years.
  • Supports tray loads up to 990 kg and total system capacity up to 90,000 kg, ideal for heavy-duty industrial parts and large items
  • Offers multiple configurations (MA, MC, MX, ML, ME) and accessory options (laser pointers, put-to-light, etc.) to cater to diverse warehouse needs. 
  • Built for durability, with features like Eagle toothed belts that require no lubrication, ensuring low maintenance in demanding industrial environments.

Limitations

  • Slower throughput (up to 120 trays per hour) compared to Flexibox, making it less suited for extremely fast-paced picking environments like high-volume e-commerce. 
  • More complex installation and configuration process.

Summary: Flexibox vs. Lift at a Glance

Criteria Modula Flexibox Modula Lift
Core Difference Bin-based automated storage and retrieval using a telescopic extractor for high-speed picking  Tray-based automated storage and retrieval with vertical lift
Processing Speed Up to 180 bins/hour; supports batch and multi-order picking Up to 120 trays/hour; ideal for heavy and varied items. 
Load Capacity  Max. 35 kg per bin; up to 9 bins per tray (model-dependent). Up to 990 kg per tray; total system capacity up to 90,000 kg. 
item Size Best for small parts and lightweight bins (600 x 400 mm)  Suitable for a wide range of items, from small parts to large industrial goods. 
Flexibility  Optimized for high-speed warehouses, especially in e-commerce.  Highly configurable with multiple models and accessories. 
Picking Advanced automation with Smart Orders Preparation.  Often requires operator presence. 
Best Applications  Fast-paced order fulfillment and e-commerce environments  Industrial warehouses handling heavy or diverse items. 

Modula Flexibox vs. Modula Lift: Which System Is Right for You? 

Both Modula Flexibox and Modula Lift are advanced smart storage solutions that help businesses streamline warehouse operations, improve picking efficiency, and maximize space utilization. But which system is right for your needs? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Choose Modula Flexibox if:

  • You operate in e-commerce, retail, or manufacturing — especially if you need to handle high volumes of small parts stored in bins (600 x 400 mm) for fast-paced order fulfillment or kitting processes.
  • You prioritize speed and efficiency — Modula Flexibox processes up to 180 bins per hour, making it ideal for high-throughput environments where speed is critical. Plus, it offers a lower initial investment and faster deployment compared to larger systems.
  • You need a solution for kitting or batch order processing — perfect for preparing components for production lines or managing batch picking in distribution centers. 

Choose Modula Lift if:  

  • You manage an industrial warehouse, manufacturing facility, or MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) environment — where heavy items (up to 990 kg per tray) or a wide variety of product sizes are stored. 
  • You require a highly flexible system — Modula Lift supports multiple configurations, making it easy to adapt to different warehouse layouts and storage needs.
  • You value durability, customization, and seamless integration — especially with complex systems like ERP, SAP, or other advanced warehouse management platforms.

Modula Lift excels at accommodating everything from small to large parts

Learn More:

Technical Specifications of Modula Flexibox Smart Warehouse

Technical Specifications of Modula Lift Smart Warehouse

Both Modula Flexibox and Modula Lift are cutting-edge solutions that empower businesses to optimize their warehouse operations. At Temas, we are proud to be Modula’s official distributor in Vietnam, bringing years of experience in deploying smart warehousing and inventory management systems. Contact us to find the right storage solution for your facility.

Last modified on: 04 Jun 2025

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