New version of Mac-based store IT system offers all-new user interface, server architecture, multi-store features

New version of Mac-based store IT system offers all-new user interface, server architecture, multi-store features

Xsilva Systems, maker of a suite of retail tools, has released the next-generation of LightSpeed, creating an application it said exploits the superior business capabilities of the Mac.

LightSpeed is Xsilva’s retail platform for Mac that combines a point-of-sale (PoS) system with back-office functions such as inventory management, order processing and billing.

Version 3.0 features a new point-of-sale screen interface and a number designed for multi-store retailers, including a new solution called Multi-Store Pro, and expanded support for Xsilva’s e-commerce solution, Web Store 2.0.

Building up functionality for Mac

"LightSpeed 3.0 builds on the elegance and ease of use of previous versions to provide new features and functionality critical to running an efficient retail operation or multi-store chain,” said Dax Dasilva, founder and chief executive of Xsilva Systems.

“Our goal with LightSpeed has always been to help our customers create a business lifestyle with a powerful and visually rich suite of retail tools for the Mac. Version 3.0 furthers this goal with a significant improvement in how the software communicates with the database through LightSpeed Server.”

LightSpeed Server is a server middleware application that centralises business logic, in order to provide retail operators with faster and more responsive systems, which Xsilva said would enable it to advance LightSpeed’s capabilities more quickly in the future.

In addition to its new server architecture, the new LightSpeed 3.0 PoS screen features an all-new interface with streamlined operation to increase transaction speed, a button mode, which offers touchscreen-friendly category based invoicing; built-in credit and debit card processing and the ability to put multiple sales on hold and restore at any time.

Targeting retailer growth ambitions

Multi-store features include multi-store lookups to keep tabs on the inventory levels of product at other locations, providing real-time access to detailed inventory availability and status information. And multi-store transfers can send, track, and receive inventory transfers between store locations with drag-and-drop functions using Transfer Out and Transfer In documents.

Available for an additional annual subscription fee, the new Multi-Store Pro functionality helps level the retail playing field by offering independent retailers the same cross-store conveniences as big-box retail operations, according to the provider.

LightSpeed 3.0 also features expanded support for Web Store 2.0, an e-commerce add-on to the LightSpeed suite of retail tools that is purchased separately. Improvements include larger product images and faster product catalogue uploads.