The clinical laboratory is changing from a place of activity based on sample analysis to an in vitro diagnostic network. To convince our team, partners, and administrators, we need new comprehensive tools to define a strategy with limited risk of failure or conflicts. Specific quality goals should be established before choosing automated tools for sample handling, analytical systems, laboratory information systems, communication systems, or advanced technologies. A system approach maps and simplifies the process, based more on a functional study than on classical disciplines. A customer–supplier approach establishes the requirements between partners either inside or outside the laboratory. The quality system must be a management tool, linking samples, tasks, information, and documents. Quantitative simulation modeling explores different automation alternatives and their impact on laboratory workflow. Finally, integration of results in interactive semirealistic simulation tools for laboratory design or reengineering can be used as communications tools to involve laboratory professionals in the change of their practice.

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The clinical laboratory is moving from an activity focused on the analysis to an in vitro diagnostic service network. Laboratory analysis is a disassembly process, very different from manufacturing processes which are assembly processes. Specific quality goals must be discussed before adopting robots. As an example, in order to achieve the ultimate quality goals in our laboratory, it was necessary to use automation for sample handling. We developed automation in a new multidisciplinary model at the Institute of Biology of Nantes. Our multidisciplinary laboratory included clinical laboratories, research laboratories, and start-up companies in an open space of 10,000 m2 shared between two floors. Sample transportation is automated from clinical wards to laboratory workstations.