Implementing LS Retail software, such as LS Central, follows a structured methodology designed to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. The process typically includes the following phases:
1. Needs Assessment and Planning
Business Analysis: Review of current business processes and identification of requirements through interviews and process mapping.
Scoping: Determining the best deployment model (cloud, on-premises, or hybrid) and outlining the project scope.
2. Project Management and Preparation
Project Planning: Establishing timelines, milestones, and communication channels.
Infrastructure Setup: Preparing the necessary hardware and network environments to support the new system.
3. Configuration and Data Setup
System Configuration: Setting up the system using either preconfigured templates or custom configurations tailored to the business.
Data Migration: Transferring data from legacy systems, including mapping and importing historical records.
4. Training
User Training: Providing comprehensive training for key users and end-users on system usage and processes.
Documentation: Supplying training materials and process documentation to support learning and adoption.
5. Testing and Go-Live
System Testing: Conducting thorough tests to ensure all configurations and integrations function correctly.
Go-Live Support: Offering hands-on support during the transition to live operations, including immediate troubleshooting and guidance.
6. Post-Implementation Support
Ongoing Support: Providing technical assistance and user support to address issues and optimize system performance after go-live.
Customisation
Modular Design: LS Retail solutions, including LS Central, are built on a modular architecture. This allows businesses to select and configure only the features and modules they need, such as retail, hospitality, pharmacy, or e-commerce.
User Interface Flexibility: The point-of-sale (POS) interface can be tailored extensively. Businesses can adjust layouts, styles, and workflows to match their branding and operational preferences. Multiple POS profiles can be created for different store types or brands.
Industry-Specific Features: LS Retail offers specialized modules for sectors like grocery, fashion, hospitality, and pharmacy. This ensures that businesses can deploy features relevant to their industry while excluding unnecessary components.
Custom Workflows and Processes: The system can be configured to support unique business processes, such as custom order flows, loyalty programs, and promotional campaigns.
Integration with Other Systems: LS Retail supports integration with third-party applications, such as ERP, accounting, payment gateways, and e-commerce platforms, ensuring seamless data flow and process automation.
Custom Reports and Analytics: Businesses can create custom reports and dashboards to meet specific reporting and analytical needs.
Scalability: The system can be expanded as the business grows, allowing for the addition of new stores, POS terminals, and users.
Additional Costs
LS Retail software pricing is influenced by several factors, including business size, complexity, and required customizations. Here are the typical cost components:
1. Implementation and Setup Fees
Small Businesses: Implementation costs typically range from $25,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the number of users and complexity.
Medium-Sized Businesses: Costs can range from $50,000 to $90,000 or more.
Large/Complex Projects: For large enterprises or projects with significant customization, costs start at $90,000 and can increase based on the scope.
Discovery/Scoping Fees: Many implementation partners charge a separate fee for the initial business analysis and scoping phase.
2. Customization Charges
Custom development, such as unique workflows, advanced integrations, or specialized reports, is typically quoted separately after a detailed business analysis.
The more extensive the customization, the higher the potential cost.
3. Maintenance and Support
Subscription License: Includes ongoing support, software upgrades, and enhancements as part of the recurring subscription fee. Support is usually available 24/7 for active subscriptions.
Perpetual License: Requires an annual enhancement plan for continued access to support and updates. If the plan lapses, re-enrollment can be costly.
Support is provided through certified LS Retail partners, and the level of support may affect ongoing costs.
Training
Fitbots, as an LS Retail partner, typically provides new users with onboarding, implementation, and ongoing support services. New users benefit from:
Onboarding Programs: New users are guided through initial setup and onboarding sessions, including mandatory training and certification for key staff. For LS Central SaaS, the onboarding process includes an introductory session and access to the Cloud Accelerator Program, which helps partners and users through their first implementations.
Technical Support: First-line support is handled by the partner (such as Fitbots), who triages and resolves most issues. If necessary, issues can be escalated to LS Retail’s specialized support teams. LS Retail recently launched the MaxAttention initiative, offering advanced, tailored technical support for complex or critical issues.
Ongoing Assistance: Users have access to ongoing technical support, troubleshooting, and guidance, including sandbox environments for safe testing and issue resolution. Support is structured to address both general inquiries and complex, specialized scenarios.
Security Measures
LS Retail employs a comprehensive set of security measures to safeguard user data:
Encryption: All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, using the latest encryption technologies and secure server environments.
Regular Security Assessments: The company conducts ongoing security assessments to identify and mitigate risks.
Compliance Certifications: LS Retail is SOC 2 Type I compliant, with annual audits to maintain and improve security standards. The platform also adheres to PCI DSS for payment data, and benefits from additional certifications such as ISO 27001, ISO 27017, and ISO 27018.
Access Controls: Role-based access ensures only authorized users can access sensitive data, with options for delegated administration and temporary external access for support.
Incident Response: LS Retail recommends strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and has defined procedures for managing and responding to security incidents.
Data Privacy: LS Retail complies with global privacy laws, including GDPR, and implements safeguards for international data transfers, such as standard contractual clauses and binding corporate rules.
Updates
Major Updates: LS Retail releases two major updates for LS Central each year, typically in April and October. These updates introduce new features and align with Microsoft Business Central’s release schedule.
Monthly Service Updates: In addition to major releases, monthly cumulative updates address hotfixes, security patches, and minor improvements.
Update Management: Updates are managed by LS Retail for SaaS environments. Administrators are notified in advance and can schedule updates to avoid business disruption. The update window and timing can be customized in the administration center.
Deployment Tools: The Update Service allows for streamlined deployment and management of updates, including customizations and database backups. Updates can be centrally managed and rolled out to all stores or locations as needed.
Data Ownership and Portability
Data Ownership: Customers retain full ownership and intellectual property rights over all their data stored and processed within LS Retail solutions. LS Retail does not acquire any rights to customer data beyond what is necessary to provide the software and related services. This means your business maintains all rights, title, and interest in your data at all times.
Data Use and Privacy: LS Retail uses customer data exclusively to deliver and support the software and services. The company does not use or derive information from customer data for advertising or other commercial purposes. Disclosure of customer data outside LS Retail or its affiliates only occurs if directed by the customer, as described in the service terms, or as required by law.
Data Portability and Extraction: During the active subscription period, customers can access and extract their data at any time. Upon subscription expiration or termination (except for free trials), LS Retail retains customer data in a limited-function account for 90 days to allow for data extraction. After this period, the data is deleted from LS Retail and/or Microsoft system1. For jurisdictions such as California, customers have the right to obtain a copy of their personal information in a structured, machine-readable format, and can request deletion or correction as required by law.
Scaling Up / Down
Scalability: LS Retail solutions are designed to be highly scalable. Organizations can easily increase or decrease the number of users, devices, POS terminals, stores, and modules as their business needs change. This flexibility allows companies to manage growth or downsizing efficiently.
Subscription Adjustments: For cloud-based and subscription models, customers can adjust their license counts (such as the number of users or devices) on a monthly or annual basis, depending on the terms of their agreement. Pricing is updated at the next renewal period to reflect these changes.
Adding or Removing Modules: As business requirements evolve, organizations can activate or deactivate modules and features. This modular approach ensures that companies only pay for the features they need at any given time.
Centralized Management: All scaling actions—such as adding new stores, increasing transaction volumes, or integrating new sales channels—can be managed centrally. This helps maintain consistency and simplifies administration across all locations.
The terms & conditions for contract renewal and cancellation
Automatic Renewal: LS Retail subscriptions typically renew automatically at the end of each billing cycle or term. To prevent renewal, customers must provide written notice of non-renewal, usually at least 10 days before the next invoice date. If no notice is given, the subscription renews and charges for the next period apply.
Cancellation: When a subscription is cancelled, it remains active until the end of the current paid period. No refunds or credits are issued for any unused portion of the subscription after cancellation. The service continues to be available until the subscription period expires.
Early Termination: Currently, there are no early termination fees for cancelling a subscription before the end of the term. However, LS Retail reserves the right to introduce early termination charges for new contracts in the future.
Termination by LS Retail: LS Retail can terminate the agreement immediately if the customer breaches the contract and fails to remedy the breach within 30 days of written notice. Termination can also occur if the customer becomes involved in activities that directly compete with LS Retail’s software.
Obligations After Termination: After termination, LS Retail may recover any outstanding fees or sums accrued up to the date of termination. Certain rights and obligations, such as payment of due fees and remedies for breach, remain in effect even after the contract ends.
Compliance
SOC 2 Type I: LS Retail is compliant with SOC 2 Type I, which certifies strong controls for the security, availability, and confidentiality of customer data. The company undergoes annual audits and is working toward SOC 2 Type II for even higher compliance standards.
PCI DSS: LS Retail adheres to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, ensuring secure handling and processing of credit card information.
ISO Certifications: LS Retail benefits from the security certifications of the Microsoft Business Central platform, including ISO 27001 (information security management), ISO 27017 (cloud security), and ISO 27018 (protection of personal data in the cloud).
GDPR: LS Retail complies with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, ensuring that all personal and sensitive data is handled according to strict EU privacy standards.
Global Privacy Laws: LS Retail’s privacy policy is designed to comply with various international privacy regulations, including those in the United States (such as California’s privacy laws) and other jurisdictions as required.
Automated Compliance Tools: LS Central includes features for automated compliance tracking, real-time reporting, and robust data security, supporting regulatory requirements for industries such as pharmacy retail.
