Patent ID: 7225106

Claim:
A data processing system comprising: a) at least one Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system ( 102 ; 302 , 302 ′, . . . ) having: means ( 124 , 126 ) for storing s set of test method keys, means ( 108 , 118 ) for generating a test order ( 174 ) for testing a production sample ( 120 ), the test order carrying a method key selected from the set of method keys, b) a server computer ( 104 ) having: means ( 142 , 150 ) for storing method definitions to be performed for carrying out test methods, each sequence being retrievable using a respective method key, means ( 132 ) for retrieving one of the method definitions using the method key of a received test order and for instantiating a retrieved method definition to provide method steps, means ( 132 ) for generating a tubular representation ( 156 ) of the received test orders showing the method steps, database means ( 140 ) for storing intermediate results received from a client computer ( 158 , 160 , . . . ) obtained by performance of one or more of the method steps, processing means for performing calculations in accordance with one or more of the method steps using the intermediate results, means ( 148 ) for generating a test report ( 176 ) for the ERP system, c) the client computer ( 158 , 160 , . . . ) having: user interface means for viewing the tabular representation ( 156 ) and for selecting one of the test orders, laboratory instrumentation interface means for communicating with a laboratory instrument ( 166 , 168 , . . . ), the laboratory instrument being adapted to perform at least one of the method steps on the production sample; and wherein the ERP system further comprises a logistics component ( 116 ) for controlling the distribution of a plurality of the production sample to client computer locations.