Modular workcells: modern methods for laboratory automation

Laboratory automation is beginning to become an indispensable survival tool for laboratories facing difficult market competition. However, estimates s uggest that only 8% of laboratories will be able to afford total laboratory automation systems. Therefore, automation vendors have developed alternati ve hardware configurations called 'modular automation', to fit the smaller laboratory. Modular automation consists of consolidated analyzers, integrat ed analyzers, modular workcells, and pre- and post-analytical automation. T hese terms will be defined in this paper. Using a modular automation model, the automated core laboratory will become a site where laboratory data is evaluated by trained professionals to provide diagnostic information to pra ctising physicians. Modem software information management and process contr ol tools will complement modular hardware. Proper standardization that will allow vendor-independent modular configurations will assure success of thi s revolutionary new technology. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.