A method for supplying consumable items to an automated sample analyzer, wherein the automated analyzer includes a consumable repository including two or more storage areas (37; 37a; 37b), each storage area being configured to store a plurality of consumable items (39; 60), wherein the method comprises: receiving one or more orders for analytical tests to be carried out by the analyzer, each of the analytical tests requiring a set of consumable items; reserving consumable items (39; 60) corresponding to the one or more sets of consumable items required for the analytical tests in a first storage area (37a; 37) of the two or more storage areas; switching to a second storage area (37b; 37) of the two or more storage areas for reserving consumable items (39; 60) in response to determining that a predetermined consumable item in the first storage area (37a; 37) has been reserved; supplying the reserved consumable items (39; 60) for use in the one or more analytical tests; and indicating that the first storage area (37a; 37) can be replenished in response to determining that a particular consumable item (39; 60) of the first storage area (37a; 37b) has been used in the one or more analytical tests. wherein the automated analyzer includes a consumable repository including two or more storage areas (37; 37a; 37b), each storage area being configured to store a plurality of consumable items (39; 60), wherein the method comprises: receiving one or more orders for analytical tests to be carried out by the analyzer, each of the analytical tests requiring a set of consumable items; reserving consumable items (39; 60) corresponding to the one or more sets of consumable items required for the analytical tests in a first storage area (37a; 37) of the two or more storage areas; switching to a second storage area (37b; 37) of the two or more storage areas for reserving consumable items (39; 60) in response to determining that a predetermined consumable item in the first storage area (37a; 37) has been reserved; supplying the reserved consumable items (39; 60) for use in the one or more analytical tests; and indicating that the first storage area (37a; 37) can be replenished in response to determining that a particular consumable item (39; 60) of the first storage area (37a; 37b) has been used in the one or more analytical tests. receiving one or more orders for analytical tests to be carried out by the analyzer, each of the analytical tests requiring a set of consumable items; reserving consumable items (39; 60) corresponding to the one or more sets of consumable items required for the analytical tests in a first storage area (37a; 37) of the two or more storage areas; switching to a second storage area (37b; 37) of the two or more storage areas for reserving consumable items (39; 60) in response to determining that a predetermined consumable item in the first storage area (37a; 37) has been reserved; supplying the reserved consumable items (39; 60) for use in the one or more analytical tests; and indicating that the first storage area (37a; 37) can be replenished in response to determining that a particular consumable item (39; 60) of the first storage area (37a; 37b) has been used in the one or more analytical tests.