Liguanea Lane Pharmacy owner Andrew Hussey illustrates how the uploaded pictures are received inside the photo studio.

Taking a jump drive or disc to the photo studio is no longer the most effective way to get digital images printed.

Enter Liguanea Lane Pharmacy and Discount Centre operator Andrew Hussey, who tells Thursday Tech that his establishments are the first in Jamaica to offer online photo service.

"We are the first to do it," Hussey says. "We started this in June and we've been getting a great response."
Hussey points us to www.discountphotojamaica.com in a bid to explain just how the system works.

The website is most user-friendly with the homepage asking surfers to 'order prints', 'sign in' - if one is an existing member - or 'join'.

Clicking 'order prints', surfers are faced with a webpage that asks to have pictures uploaded from the designated storage area on their computer. Much like what obtains when uploading photos as an attachment to an email. Once customers have browsed and/or selected photos, they can choose the number and sizes of prints - they may add or remove photos as well.

"The system automatically sends photos in a compressed format," Hussey says.

Once the uploading is completed, surfers are presented with billing information.

"Customers can opt to print their bill - each is issued with a bar code - and take it here or pay via credit card," Hussey tells Thursday Tech, noting that the system provides encryptions for credit card numbers in a bid to guard against cyber theft.

On the matter of billing, Hussey tells Thursday Tech that the online photo service costs $17.50 per 4x6 print - they've extended the introductory special.

"This is to encourage people to use the online system as opposed to coming in: you save time."

Hussey points out too, that customers may save even more time by opting to have their printed copies delivered to them.
"We have partnered with Tara Courier for an additional cost of $200, or add a CD for an extra $250."
Customers may also determine to which of the pharmacies the prints are sent.

"Even though we're not open 24 hours, it's a complete 24-hour operation," says Hussey, pointing out that the system checks its inbox every 15 minutes for new files.

What's more, photo technicians at Liguanea Lane and Discount will adjust photos if necessary and that system is capable of informing clients that a photo is of poor resolution and no good.

"It shows you a sad face if the dpi is poor," says Hussey.
While Hussey is quick to explain everything the software can do, he refuses to share with Thursday Tech which software he uses.

"We partner with an overseas company to provide the backend," Hussey tells Thursday Tech. "We have tried for years to get this service off the ground but it wasn't cost-effective before now."

So whether you're looking to print passport or placard-sized photos. log on, load up and pick up at Liguanea Lane or Discount Pharmacy.

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