A method for communicating information related to a diagnostic analyzer includes receiving user identification information from a portable computer. A user associated with the user identification information operates the diagnostic analyzer. First diagnostic analyzer information is retrieved from at least one database that relates analyzer information to the user of the diagnostic analyzer. The first diagnostic analyzer information is related to the diagnostic analyzer. The first diagnostic analyzer information is communicated to the portable computer. Second diagnostic analyzer information from the diagnostic analyzer is retrieved. The second diagnostic analyzer information is generated by the diagnostic analyzer. The first and the second diagnostic analyzer information is communicated to the portable computer. The portable computer is configured to display the first and the second diagnostic analyzer related information.