The invention concerns a system (1) to locate or track objects (2) that can be positioned on the work table (3) of a laboratory apparatus (4). To do this, the system (1) comprises at least: a) a central transmitter (5) with the capability to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals, convert RF signals received and transfer the converted signals to a computer (7); b) a local unit (6) mounted on a surface (8) of the work table (3) with the capability to receive and transmit RF signals; c) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags (10) to be affixed to the local unit (6) and to articles of laboratory ware (15) that are to be identified and/or located or tracked; d) a work table (3) of a laboratory apparatus (4) and a computer (7) that can be connected to the laboratory apparatus (4) and is linked to the central transmitter (5) via an interface, the computer (7) having the capability to communicate with the central transmitter (5), to process signals received from the latter and to address selected RFID tags (10) through the central transmitter (5). The system (1) according to the invention can be integrated in a higher-ranking logistical system (31) for the processing and analysis of samples of any desired kind.