A hardware/software design strategy is described for the automation, control and data processing operations of an ion-exchange atomic-absorption instrument for metal ion speciation. The hardware incorporates an IBM PC, Perkin-Elmer atomic-absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) with analog output, peristaltic pump, multiple solenoid valves, and a robot arm. The automated operations are to equilibrate a micro ion-exchange column with sample, wash the column, and elute the metal into the AAS with nitric acid. The software, designed to optimize the language with the application, employs machine language for data acquisition, valve control, and graphics display, and compiled BASIC for operational control.