by providing a network photograph service , prompt service can be provided to a customer without losing the advantages of easier understanding of where to access when placing an order and easier collective data management . a service center receiving an order of a printing service , and a minilab or a special laboratory spread across a plurality of places , are able to communicate through a network . a center server in the service center selects and assigns which photo - finishing laboratory will print the ordered picture , in response to order information transferred from a customer via the network . thus , the printing processing can be carried out by a photo - finishing laboratory specified by the customer , instead of at the center server .