The proprietary assay assembly system integrates the nanoliter sample transfer technology of the Labcyte Echo 550 liquid handler with the plate storage and sample handling capabilities of the BioCel lab automation platform. This combination provides secure sample inventory management and distribution. Intermediate compound distribution processes are no longer needed. With refrigerated storage for 1000 plates, the system has full access to all compounds and can distribute them directly to assay plates. The work cell can produce hundreds of assay plates in either 384- or 1536-well formats. The unit links directly into a LIMS for receiving and delivering inventory information, as well as keeping the BioCel database and sample inventory synchronized and up to date. Dynamic scheduling, allowing for throughput of up to a million compounds a day, is provided by VWorks automation control software, which can run different applications in parallel.