A distributed automation system for use in an in vitro diagnostics environment, the system comprising: a plurality of interconnected modules; an automation track alongside and connected to the plurality of interconnected modules, along which a plurality of carriers move, the plurality of carriers transporting and delivering one or more vessels, each containing a respective sample, between the plurality of interconnected modules, wherein each of the plurality of carriers and the vessels comprise a label assigning each a unique identification code; a single acquisition point at a portion of the automation track for acquiring an identification of each of the vessels and each of the carriers by a barcode reader; a cover set over areas of travel and destinations for the samples; a plurality of cover sensors, each associated with a portion of the cover; a plurality of track sensors embedded in the track, the track sensors configured to sense a location of the plurality of carriers; and a processor configured to monitor the identification and a location of each of the vessels and each of the carriers by using the barcode reader and the plurality of track sensors respectively and to detect if the cover is breached by using the plurality of cover sensors; wherein the plurality of cover sensors is configured to send a signal to the processor upon the respective portion of the cover being breached; and wherein the plurality of track sensors is configured to communicate the sensed location to the processor; characterized in that if a detection occurs indicating the cover is breached, the processor is configured to reroute the respective carriers and the vessels that pass through a section of track where the cover is breached to the single acquisition point. a plurality of interconnected modules; an automation track alongside and connected to the plurality of interconnected modules, along which a plurality of carriers move, the plurality of carriers transporting and delivering one or more vessels, each containing a respective sample, between the plurality of interconnected modules, wherein each of the plurality of carriers and the vessels comprise a label assigning each a unique identification code; a single acquisition point at a portion of the automation track for acquiring an identification of each of the vessels and each of the carriers by a barcode reader; a cover set over areas of travel and destinations for the samples; a plurality of cover sensors, each associated with a portion of the cover; a plurality of track sensors embedded in the track, the track sensors configured to sense a location of the plurality of carriers; and a processor configured to monitor the identification and a location of each of the vessels and each of the carriers by using the barcode reader and the plurality of track sensors respectively and to detect if the cover is breached by using the plurality of cover sensors; wherein the plurality of cover sensors is configured to send a signal to the processor upon the respective portion of the cover being breached; and wherein the plurality of track sensors is configured to communicate the sensed location to the processor; characterized in that if a detection occurs indicating the cover is breached, the processor is configured to reroute the respective carriers and the vessels that pass through a section of track where the cover is breached to the single acquisition point.