A method is provided for displaying a client-side multi-component image. A plurality of image component channels derived from captured images of a sample are stored in a server, the plurality of image component channels being stored in the form of a plurality of image data records. A client then requests one or more of the plurality of image data records and the server transmits to the client the one or more of the plurality of image data records requested. At the client, the client-side multi-component image is composited from the image data records transmitted the composited client-side multi-component image is displayed.