Efficient laboratory organization is the foundation of a productive, compliant, and safe lab environment. How—and where—you store materials directly impacts your lab’s performance. Whether you're processing hundreds of pathology slides a day or maintaining strict chain-of-custody for sensitive pharmaceutical samples, organization isn't optional, it's essential.
Laboratories face mounting pressure to maintain accuracy, ensure compliance, and make the most of every square foot. Yet many still rely on outdated cabinet systems that fall short on space, security, and efficiency.
That’s where automated laboratory storage systems come in.
In this article, we’ll explore how labs can streamline storage and improve access control with cutting-edge solutions like the Kardex Remstar Megamat Vertical Carousel Module. Designed for high-density, secure, and ergonomic storage, this system goes beyond traditional lab cabinets—offering a smarter way to manage a wide range of critical materials, from microscope slides to pharmaceuticals and everything in between.
For decades, laboratory cabinets have served as the standard for storing everything from microscope slides to vials and general supplies. While simple and familiar, these static systems weren’t designed with today’s labs in mind—labs that manage growing inventories, tighter regulations, and increasingly complex workflows.
Cabinets are bulky and static. They require wide aisles for access and often can't take full advantage of vertical space. In high-density labs where every square foot matters, that’s space you can’t afford to lose.
Retrieving materials often means walking back and forth, bending, reaching, and manually searching through drawers or shelves. It slows down lab technicians and increases the likelihood of picking errors or handling damage.
Cabinets don’t tell you what’s inside or how much is left. Without a digital inventory system, it's easy to overstock, understock, or lose track of expiration dates and retention timelines—especially for regulated items like pharmaceuticals or pathology specimens.
As labs grow and evolve, traditional cabinets don’t scale well. Need to switch from storing microscope slides to petri dishes or pharmaceuticals? You’re likely looking at an expensive reconfiguration or additional cabinetry—adding even more clutter to an already tight space.
Security is also a serious concern when it comes to traditional lab storage.
Security isn’t just a regulatory checkbox for today’s laboratories—it’s a core component of trust, compliance, and operational excellence. Whether you're storing patient samples, controlled substances, or confidential research data, how you manage access to your materials matters.
Traditional laboratory cabinets often fall short when it comes to securing sensitive materials.
Lab supervisors will know: keys get lost, access isn’t always tracked, and anyone walking by can open a door.
That’s a risk most modern labs can’t afford to take.
Your storage solution needs to help you meet critical security requirements for:
Automated laboratory cabinets can provide all of this security, and more.
Let’s dive into some of the benefits of switching from traditional lab cabinets to automated storage systems.
Labs no longer need to lean on bulky, unsecure, traditional cabinets to store critical supplies. Automated lab storage solutions, like the Kardex Remstar Megamat Vertical Carousel Module, are designed with versatility and security at the forefront.
But what are the benefits of using automated lab storage systems?
Unlike static shelving or floor-based cabinets, automated systems utilize vertical space—often underutilized in labs. Trays rotate within the unit and deliver items directly to the operator at an ergonomic height. Labs can reduce storage space requirements by up to 75%, allowing for additional equipment, expanded services, or simply reducing facility costs over time.
Every lab stores a unique combination of materials—microscope slides, paraffin blocks, vials, petri dishes, even record cards. The Megamat’s carriers can be customized by height, width, and configuration to handle all of it in a single unit.
Flexible shelving means you can consolidate storage across multiple departments or workflows, streamlining laboratory organization while reducing clutter.
In regulated environments, access control isn’t optional—it’s mandatory. Non-compliance with regulations like HIPAA, CAP, and GxP can result in significant fines or failed inspections.
Automated lab cabinets offer secure access control, user-specific permissions, and full audit trails for every transaction.
These features reduce the risk of unauthorized access, improve chain-of-custody documentation, and simplify compliance reporting—all of which help avoid costly penalties or reputational damage.
Manual tracking is inefficient and error-prone. When paired with software like Kardex Power Pick System, labs can monitor inventory in real time, set alerts for replenishment, and trace every item’s history. Give your lab management team total visibility into what’s stored, where it’s located, and when it was last accessed—supporting both compliance and productivity.
Automated storage can also help to reduce over-ordering, prevent expiration of perishable supplies, and minimize misplacement.
For labs storing pharmaceuticals, blood bags, or patient samples, this level of control directly prevents material loss and associated costs.
Manual storage processes take time—time to walk across the lab, search for materials, lift trays, and reshelve items. These small inefficiencies add up. Automated systems bring the materials directly to the operator, dramatically reducing retrieval time.
Labs using systems like the Megamat have reported up to 60% faster retrieval times, allowing staff to focus more on high-value tasks like testing, analysis, and reporting.
By bringing items directly to the user, automated systems eliminate the time spent searching through drawers or walking across the lab. Combined with light-directed picking and digital inventory, retrieval is fast and foolproof. With automated storage, labs can increase throughput, reduce downtime, and free up staff for more valuable tasks.
Learn more about building a smart pharmaceutical warehouse in our industry guide here.
Operator safety is often overlooked in traditional lab setups. Automated storage delivers trays at a consistent working height and integrates with adjustable workstations. Automated storage can reduce physical strain, improve employee comfort, and help lower the risk of workplace injuries.
Modular design allows automated lab storage systems to scale over time. Need to expand storage, change your material mix, or add units across departments? Automated systems can grow with your lab without requiring major structural changes or full replacements. This long-term flexibility protects your investment and ensures continued ROI as your lab evolves.
When you weigh the benefits—space savings, faster workflows, reduced waste, and stronger compliance—the ROI of an automated lab storage system becomes clear. While the upfront cost may be higher than traditional lab cabinets, the long-term financial and operational gains can significantly outweigh the initial investment.
If you're planning for growth, efficiency, or regulatory readiness, automated storage isn’t just worth considering—it’s worth prioritizing.
The Kardex Remstar Megamat Vertical Carousel Module offers flexible, high-density automated lab storage designed to store a wide range of laboratory materials, each with its own handling, security, and organizational needs.
But what materials can be stored using automated lab cabinets? Here are just a few of the top use cases:
These are heavy, dense, and need to be stored for years. The Megamat handles their weight (up to 0.28 lbs. per linear filing inch) with ease, storing them vertically to maximize space and reduce manual handling that can cause damage. High-density storage and easy retrieval help preserve long-term integrity while minimizing space.
Fragile and highly organized, microscope slides require precise tracking and damage-free handling. Traditional storage often results in misfiles or breakage. Light-directed picking and inventory software reduce errors, while ergonomic access minimizes the risk of drop or misplacement.
Used in high-volume testing environments, microtitre plates must be quickly accessible and safely stored to prevent contamination. Automated access speeds up retrieval while enclosed storage reduces exposure to environmental contaminants.
Labs still rely on paper documentation for labeling, protocols, and patient records. These must be stored securely and accessed quickly. Controlled access with full traceability ensures confidentiality and easy organization without risk of loss or unauthorized use.
Storing blood products requires precise control, labeling, and quick access under strict regulatory guidelines. Secure, enclosed storage protects sensitive materials and can be integrated with inventory systems to track expiration dates and access logs.
Often temperature-sensitive or light-sensitive, vials and bottles also pose spill risks if improperly stored. Custom carriers and adjustable tray spacing allow safe, upright storage to prevent tipping or breakage, while protecting sensitive contents.
Controlled substances and medications must be stored under lock and key with detailed tracking. The Megamat’s lockable design, user-level permissions, and inventory logging support full regulatory compliance.
Read how Galderma was able to achieve reduced lead times and 100% control of storage levels using Kardex’s automated storage.
Bulky and awkwardly shaped, these items don’t always fit neatly into traditional shelving. Customizable shelf heights and carrier configurations provide a flexible fit, keeping equipment close without clutter.
Often stored in bulk and used rapidly, petri dishes require organization by batch or type to avoid confusion or contamination. Labeled trays, guided picking, and ergonomic access allow fast, clean retrieval without disrupting sample order.
From gloves to pipette tips, labs juggle dozens of consumables that can get lost or take up too much room. Consolidate consumables into a single automated system to keep them organized, visible, and always within reach.
Learn more about our storage solutions for controlled environments here.
Merck, a global science and technology leader in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, recently constructed a new research facility with highly specific storage needs. The lab required three distinct zones to supply, prepare, manage, and store pharmaceutical research substances under strict temperature-controlled conditions. Most critically, laboratory staff needed to access cold and deep-freeze materials without leaving a room-temperature workspace.
To solve this, Merck partnered with Kardex to implement a customized cold-storage solution using three Vertical Lift Modules (Kardex Shuttles), each modified for use in refrigerated environments. The system includes thermally decoupled tray extraction, allowing items to be delivered from the cold zone to a temperature-controlled access point.
The solution combines advanced climate management with ergonomic design and smart inventory control—ensuring both product integrity and efficient workflows.
Merck’s implementation is a powerful example of how automated laboratory storage systems can be tailored to meet highly specialized environmental and operational requirements—delivering flexibility, compliance, and efficiency in one solution.
Read the full case study here.
When it comes to laboratory storage, your choice of partner is just as important as your choice of product. Kardex doesn’t just deliver advanced automated storage systems—we bring decades of experience, specialized expertise, and ongoing support to help labs optimize operations from day one.
Whether you're storing delicate pathology slides, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, or a wide range of lab supplies, Kardex delivers tailored solutions designed to meet the strict demands of modern medical and research environments.
Partnering with Kardex means more than buying equipment—it means investing in smarter lab operations, long-term efficiency, and a team committed to your success.
Read the Kardex Megamat flyer here.