Abstract: An integrated clinical laboratory software system for testing a specimen. At least one specimen processing module is advantageously provided, each for performing particular predetermined tests on the specimen. Integrated work flow automation programming communicates with any of the plurality of specimen processing modules. The specimen processing modules can include instrument hardware and embedded process control software. The work flow automation programming includes request processing programming for processing a user request for any of the tests which are available to be performed by the specimen processing modules, and also includes functional control programming which provides functional control of any of the plurality of specimen processing modules for performing any of the tests, and which further includes result data management programming provides processing of test result data of any of the tests.