Frequently Asked Questions

The following list of frequently asked questions and answers is aimed at answering some of the most common business questions that our customers have already asked.

Can we use IMS with our company intranet or web site? eg. URL and look and feel.

Yes, and we are very happy to help with this sort of integration work. Your IMS site can be hosted with an address of your choosing (including under your own domain name). The product is customisable, including look and feel, colour scheme, logo graphics and layout and custom coding options. We offer the ability to connect IMS into existing sites. HTML and CSS pages can be edited: they are XHTML and CSS compliant.

Having a professionally designed website can make your site stand out from the rest. That is why Third Light work in partnership with Siftware Ltd, designing and developing professional websites to achieve the image you want. They also fully integrate the IMS software onto your site: if you are looking for complete integration of your web site and IMS, this is the right option for you. Please click here for more details and prices.

How long does it take to set up?

IMS Corporate Appliances normally take 14 days to deliver; we will agree a firm delivery schedule with you before you order. IMS subscription sites can be activated in a few hours, but we encourage all new customers to take a 30 day trial and consider design and marketing aspects before launching.

How do I upload files to the system?

You can upload files to IMS directly from your browser. IMS includes a special Java tool which will allow you to easily upload files directly from your Mac, PC, camera, CD or DVD drives in one easy step.

We also provide a drag-and-drop upload tool for Windows, which makes uploading to IMS very easy.

Lastly, IMS supports FTP, so that you can use industry-standard tools and other platforms, such as MacOS or Linux. Compared to browser-based uploads, both approaches work well and can handle large files such as high-res images or videos. If you choose to use FTP, we recommend GlobalScape CuteFTP. A free alternative is SmartFTP, and on Mac CyberDuck.

Can you recommend a good tool for embedding IPTC meta data in lots of images?

IPTC data is stored and searchable in IMS. There is also a built-in picture editor which can be used to set meta data from within IMS. If you require desktop-based keywording, we recommend Photo Mechanic, a professional tool for setting valuable IPTC metadata in your images which IMS can then import during upload. Photo Mechanic is available for download at Camera Bits. With slightly less automation, Photoshop CS is also able to embed metadata, including IPTC. Don't forget, IMS itself includes the capability to do these tasks.

Is there a way to upload pictures from a mobile device directly to IMS?

You could use a 3G data card with a laptop, and upload from that (wherever you have coverage in the world, or perhaps a Wi-Fi hotspot). You can also upload data directly from PDAs, some of which are equipped with the latest wireless features that mean seamless communication from a wireless camera card. One such product is available from Idruna.com. This product works with IMS.

My organisation has a large stock of existing images. Can you import them for us?

Certainly. We can accept images on removable hard drives and in any suitable format. You may wish to prepare some folders before this process begins, but we will complete your bulk uploads for you as thoughtfully as possible, including establishing your initial library layout if you wish.

eCommerce-Related Questions

Can I do my own printing or sell hand prints, but still use IMS?

Yes, you can. IMS uses the PhotoBox printing service by default. Not only are the prints of legendary quality but they are also extremely affordable, allowing you to mark up by generous percentages. However, if you do need to sell something that PhotoBox do not offer (such as hand prints, CD-ROMs, bound albums and so forth) then IMS supports "custom products" that you define through the administration interfaces. IMS will email you if an order for a custom product is placed so that you can complete the order. Payment is still automated for you, and you can mix custom products and PhotoBox products together transparently.

Is it necessary to upload high resolution files prior to printing?

IMS has two modes; it can accept high resolution data (ie. print-ready JPEG sources) or it can detect that you are supplying lower preview resolution images. IMS will determine the suitability of your uploaded images for printing based on the total number of pixels in the files you provide. If you have not provided high resolution images, you will receive an email whenever a photograph is ordered for the first time, asking you to provide the necessary data manually.

Can I sell digital downloads, as well as share my files with regular clients without requiring payments?

Yes, you can sell images with the Lightbox tool, and provide free downloads using the Download tool. You decide, as the administrator, which users are given access to which facilities. You can also easily apply different price levels to different customers in this way. In both cases, a complete log is retained so that you can audit and review activity related to electronic downloads.

What types of security and safeguards do you use to protect images online?

Our responsibility is to protect our customers' data, personal information and provide as close to 100% uptime as we can. We operate servers in a physically secure, protected environment including argon gas fire extinguishers and card-keyed access controls. We have four separate bandwidth providers and operate our servers in clusters, all designed to eliminate single points of failure. Our internet services are double-firewalled, and data is backed up once on site and once off site. This means we actually replicate all our customers' images to physically separate locations each day as part of our standard service.

In terms of payment security, we accept and manage card charges via a 128 bit encrypted link to NatWest and do not store card details on site. We also operate an audit log which can show how any aspect of the system has been used for up to 12 months.

Where can I find out more about photography and picture libraries?

An excellent, and long-established source of web articles on photography is Photo.Net. Another good place to start is the BAPLA web site. BAPLA is the UK trade association for picture libraries and the largest organisation of its kind in the world. With over 400 member companies, it represents the vast majority of commercial picture libraries and agencies in the UK. Companies range from small specialists to multinationals, collectively managing in excess of 350 million images, within an industry estimated to be worth over 500million per year in domestic revenue alone.