Blaze Image 2024 IT stragegy:

Ongoing Browser Compatibility & Desk Service issues:

>> X: 12 May 2024 << CRITICAL FAILURE ISSUE
The company must migrate away from the use of WeTransfer and legacy web browsers.

The issue of SSL security certificate mismatches vs software updates for legacy Apple hardware have become insurmountable.

A new system is required in order to solve the issue of supply and submission of large files which exceed email attachment limits.

>>> VS / YY >>>

The laboratory should migrate to an integrated file management system for ordering which collects payments and takes the full processing and payment information from customers and manages the communications, in addition to processing the files.

The formula is as follows:

CUSTOMER SIDE
> JotForm >
> Google Drive + Xero + Stripe/Venmo/PayPal/GooglePay/ApplePay

>< (sync/WAN-LAN) //—->

STUDIO SIDE
Synology NAS > wired LAN > laboratory workstations

>

```~ $F&CP | ~$www | ~$wiz

::: ~

>>> the company should move to a Zapier-Integraged JotForm online ordering form system, which can be made available via the webpages of the squarespace website, on clients’ websites, or supplied as links directly in an email.

>>> the company should install a Synology file server which can sync with cloud storage services, which can automate the delivery of assets to clients, and perform uploads and downloads in the background.

>>> the company should use Slack to manage email, social media, communications, SMS bulletins, order confirmations, form submissions, replies, website orders, client integrations, chatbot queries, supplier accounts and system monitors, providing a cross platform centralised method of staying on top of the operation, and giving each staff member a full overview of the laboratory affairs.

Multiple project submission forms can be prepared, customised, and modified to suit different customer needs and payment terms.


- the ordering forms on the web pages may also potentially be accompanied by a boutique “supervised training scheme” chatbot or “formless” question-and-answer assistant system for handling customer requests and getting the information pertaining to the project

- often customers don’t know what they want, and won’t fill in an order form, but can navigate a helpful user assistance protocol which can guide them to the service required and let them navigate their own preference -

CUSTOMISABLE ORDER FORMS & ARTISTIC / BOUTIQUE BUSINESS AGREEMENTS

Customers, associates and trade partners can even be given their own boutique ordering or reseller solutions, so that the laboratory’s services can be offered as a “white label” facility, offering the laboratory’s facilities as an “inhouse department” supporting production companies, digital laboratories and commercial photographers and agencies.

e.g.

A photographer could sell their images off their website by embedding a Blaze order form. Customers can order prints which are printed, packaged and shipped by Blaze Image, with the payment processing performed by Zapier according to a negotiated split.

a photographers’ gallery or collective could produce a show, organise the framing and sales scheme, and publish the show on the Blaze Image website, enabling customers to order prints and signed and framed editions from the gallery collective.

AUTOMATED BULLETINS AND UPDATES

Zapier enables a number of different software solutions to be pipelined together into an automated workflow - assigning regular informative bulletins to customers enabling them to know precisely when their job is ready can be accomplished automatically without additional button pushing or human effort from laboratory staff.

AUTOMATED ASSISTANCE & CONVERSATIONAL FAQ

Creating assistant chat automations - chatbots help to format repetitive customer service communications and can supply routine answers to questions in tandem with the laboratory’s expert staff. Using a chatbot enhanced communications system is also highly recommended - the same questions can be answered with a human input a few times, the system learns the dialogue and structure, and then customers can be given access to the library of “codified helpfiles” 24/7 with no extra input from the staff. A chatbot is basically a superpowered “F.A.Q.” system.

Chatbot assistants can centralise customer service, and can identify a customer and know how to use all the job information whether communicating via email, phone, website or social media, and if used correctly can enable customers to get the best and most responsive possible experience from the laboratory, and get instant answers and dispatch information directly from the laboratory’s system.

The blaze chemical photography chatbot could be called “processor:lab” or “I/O:bot” to differentiate a non-human response from a member of staff. Robots are willing to work 24 hours 7 days a week - this is a good thing for small companies.

The ability to free up customers from opening hours or wait times to communicate with the laboratory systems can enable a far more flexible and responsive business style to be developed, and integration with white label and commercial resellers is highly recommended with a reduced stress on administrative burden and customer service.

 

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS:

SLACK CONTROL PANEL
OVERSIGHT / CENTRALISED COMMUNICATIONS

Slack can be used to stay on top of communications and deploy bulletins, and centrally communicate with suppliers and customers via the communications channel of their choice

Slack can handle most types of file and data integration

- additionally one must consider that Zapier integration enables files to be processed and transcoded as preferred, and can issue notifications via SMS, email, insta, - social media posts and client highlights can also be automatically or preferentially published via social media channels using the same system -

  • migrating to a Zapier back end for laboratory process can enable the laboratory to function as an integrated part of a contemporary photographer’s arsenal of services in a far more fluid and social media-integrated fashion.

  • the boundary between marketing and content consumption is becoming extremely blurry - contemporary software enables a porous relationship with content libraries and social networks.

  • the use of photographic content in the contemporary era has become a primary value and mode of expression. Photography is central to social media, and the opportunity to concrete social media content as a physical picture is an important facet of contemporary culture.

Slack will pipe most forms of data into a single accessible organised interface, and can be run on mobile phones, smart TVs, desktop computers and tablets.

Slack is much easier to use than email, or most websites designed for browsers - it is basically a plain text bulletin board forum interface.



STUDIO HARDWARE & NETWORK UPGRADES:

INTERNET CONNECTION - 1Gb FTTP (Tabernacle satellite?)
WIRED STUDIO NETWORK - 10GbE / 1Gb PoE
NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE W/CLOUD SYNC
INKJET SPECIFIC PROOFER/RIP DRIVER

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The company should run legacy workstations per-device, e.g. minilab, canon inkjet, flatbed scanners etc. The devices can be integrated via a wired LAN network and centralised file storage - TIFF / JPEG / PNG / PDF / embedded PSD-PDF are viable standards to adhere to.

Taking the load of client communications, file management and internet connectivity away from the individual legacy workstations is essential to be able to support legacy software and print systems while maintaining compatibility with the latest editing software and web browsers. Administration of the internet systems can be done via a laptop, smartphone, or tablet device.

An embedded NAS file server should be used which centralises customer files and data across all the laboratory systems, enabling legacy macs, legacy windows and minilab computers and more modern PCs and Apple devices to access a central repository of files, which also hosts the data and regulates the access permissions for customers.

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A Synology NAS synced to Google Drive is the ideal candidate for the NAS file storage duty - physical storage inhouse is the suitable way to achieve reliable transfer speeds and reliability in the case of an internet outage.




—- important consideration regarding file ingestion and processing —-


the most important contemporary Cloud transition to bear in mind is that Zapier can integrate with a vast number of services to produce a workflow or automated “zeroconf” pipeline -

Likely Integrations to consider:
Amazon Commerce
Google Forms
AirTable
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Creative Cloud
Xero



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DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC NETWORK MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ERA

Commercial Clients should be directed in the process of scheduling and making a “digital photography hub” or curated process for managing photographs by the Blaze Image Laboratory to accompany the transition to an automated production workflow integrated with social networks.

https://zapier.com/blog/photographs-workflow/

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POINT OF SALE DEVICES & SHOPFRONT

An iPad or Android tablet computer can be installed on the front desk, or even mounted into the shop window.

A system could be designed to enable customers to use the shop as a photo booth 24/7, or browse the photo library for ordering prints.

The website and social media should be made interactive and available at the front counter, and via the shopfront.

A digital signage solution which enables interactive ordering and collection of prints is plausible and commercially available. With a touchscreen interface, ordering and sales information could be obtained by touching the glass or performing gestures.

It would be a great idea to build a photo booth onto the street - ideally it could be placed inside a red telephone box which can also be used to access free WiFi and charge a USB device - all on contactless payments.

A photobooth project could be developed for Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues and integrate the shopfront with the Event / Stage – The main issue with Carnival businesses was cash robbery, and the era of contactless payments massively decreases the problems of staying open for trade during the busy event.