A liquid chromatographic system includes columns, column mounting fixtures to which the columns are mounted, a detector, a fraction collection system, a controller and a plurality of RFIDs. A first RFID communicates with the controller and cooperating RFIDs mounted to other components including the fraction collector to provide information such as the history of components, parameters and the like useful in maintaining inventory control and managing the system. They also receive information from sensors relating to the operation of the fraction collector including the location of sample containers.